A couple of days after we started asking this week's Question of the Week -- do you think the state government will actually down -- Gov. Brian Schweitzer stole our thunder some by calling a special session.

Even as this is being written, lawmakers are at the Capitol pounding out a budget for the state.

Given what happened during the regular session, it's impossible to predict for sure what will happen.

The 400 or so readers who voted were optimistic about state meeting its July 1 budget deadline. Only about 12 percent thought the state government would be shut down.

Those who did think it was possible the government would shut down seemed to split, it may not be surprising, along party lines.

- "This approach is right down the Democratic philosophy of spend and tax. The new so-called compromised governor's budget only makes state government larger and is not sustainable.

"Taxpayers of Montana will see their money of the current surplus turn into a sea of red ink. This will result in a call at least by the next session if not before for increased taxes upon all Montanans.

"Why not use the surplus to help Montanans now, hold down the size of government to something that is fair and reasonable as proposed by the Republicans.

- "I wouldn't be surprised. The Republicans still have the same leadership, don't they. Maybe this time they'll introduce a whole case instead of just a six pack."

Other readers' cynicism took different directions.

- "Would we see any difference in day-to-day operations if they did?"