As a result, lawmakers have begun organizing themselves into a left, right and center, for the first time ever in this country.

Educators and lawmakers are only beginning to realize the scope of the Legislature's action.

Amid all this, many lawmakers of both parties have begun to question the very basis on which California government operates.

But conservative lawmakers and Orthodox leaders have begun pushing to cut those numbers even further.

Even as they try to finish up the leftovers of 2004, lawmakers will begin preparing for 2005.

Already Republican lawmakers have begun to seize on the issue.

Indeed, lawmakers were only beginning to read the Clinton proposal this afternoon, and it will probably take days for the details to become known.

The lack of common ground illustrated how difficult it will be to reach a consensus next year when the lawmakers begin to vote on legislation.

Democratic lawmakers have begun to attack the administration over raising the borrowing limits.

And key lawmakers have begun to come out strongly in favor of keeping them.