Democrats have rolled out another suggested compromise over the budget, one that apparently will be put up for a vote on the floor of both houses tomorrow. And the governor's advisers are now publicly suggesting that, in return, the governor would like powers similar to those in his self-titled "Live Within Our Means" initiative.

The Democratic proposal, which purportedly would shrink the structural deficit next year by a slight amount, was placed on the table by Assembly Speaker Fabian Nunez today... although he says most of it was actually given to Governor Schwarzenegger as far back as two weeks ago.

One of the most notable concessions by Democrats appears to be that they have accpeted a demand from Schwarzenegger and legislative Republicans for a quicker payback of some money to local governments, money owed after the VLF "car tax" rollback in 2004.

Republicans seem pleased with that concession. But Schwarzenegger budget spokesman H.D. Palmer says the use of one-time revenues for ongoing expenditures is still there. And what would make that proposal palatable to the governor? Some sort of power to make corrections-- on his own-- in the middle of a budget year, says Palmer.

Does that sound like one of the initiatives is now admittedly being linked to this year's budget? It depends, in large part, on your own political biases.

The question now, though: what happens next? The Democratic budget is indeed scheduled for a vote in the Assembly and Senate tomorrow, but is this latest version enough to gain the necessary handful of GOP votes?

Even the schedule this week is a bit of a mystery, with many lawmakers and the governor planning to attend Friday's swearing-in of new LA Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.