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We finally have a budget agreement.

Albeit tentatively.

Wednesday afternoon, negotiators from the state House and Senate announced they had reached a tentative agreement, one that they would share with their respective caucuses. Leaders even went so far as to suggest that the agreement could have a veto-proof margin of support in both legislative chambers.

That's important, because Gov. Malloy was not included in the negotiations and has not yet seen the terms of the proposed budget. Word is that one of his key issues -- shifting one-third of the cost of teacher union pensions onto municipalities -- is not included in the tentative agreement. Malloy has threatened to veto any budget that doesn't include that, so a veto-proof majority is crucial.

You can read about what's included in the proposed budget plan here. The bad news is that tax increases are part of the deal, including taxing teachers and increasing taxes on hospitals and cigarettes.

The deal also would bail out the city of Hartford, temporarily, at least, saving it from default.

​You can read more about the budget plan here.

So we have reached 110 days into the current fiscal year without a budget.

(Can it be a "fiscal year" if there is no official fiscal plan yet? Asking for a friend...)

Today could be the day -- well, maybe, possibly, potentially, perhaps ... don't hold your breath.

Actually, the Republicans and Democrats in the legislature have set 2:30 p.m. today as a deadline to reach a tentative agreement, one that would then have to be shown to their respective caucuses in the House and Senate and, presumably, to Gov. Malloy as well.

They say they are close ... well, except for 10 key issues that still have to be resolved, so, no big deal.

​You can read about that here.

And if anyone in Hartford needs a reason to wrap this up now, here's a good one.