The details were different, but the outcome was the same... as the Senate tonight failed to pass a new state budget.

With the spending plan now one month late, the Senate voted 26-14 to approve the budget... one vote shy of the necessary two-thirds vote for passage. The one GOP lawmaker to break ranks with otherwise opposed Republicans: Sen. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria), who made a dramatic floor speech calling the budget responsible... and hinting that some in his party said that his vote would doom his chances for re-election. Not surprisingly, GOP stalwarts are already taking aim at Maldonado's decision to break ranks.

Senate President pro Tem Don Perata didn't explicitly say that his house would recess until the end of August, but no one on hand tonight seemed to think the stalemate would end if senators stuck around. And Governor Schwarzenegger issued a pretty harsh public statement, taking aim at the Senate... and Senate Republicans... for not passing the budget.

Much more to say... but I'll let others do it, as I head out early tomorrow morning for a conference in Philadelphia. But stay tuned for this week's podcast for a full wrap-up.