Next State Budget Forecast Due Out on Wednesday [AUDIO]

ST. PAUL - State Lawmakers are anxiously awaiting the next budget forecast.  It's due to be released on Wednesday of next week.  State Senator Michelle Fischbach says she has no idea what to expect.

The last forecast in November showed a surplus of about $876 million.  Fischbach says, if there's a budget deficit this time, that will become lawmakers' top priority.

However, if there's an even bigger budget surplus, lawmakers have said they could start paying back school districts that are owed money.  Payments to schools was delayed last summer as a way to help balance the state's budget.