Lawmakers in the Evergreen State are battling to the bitter end this week of a transportation-themed triple overtime session. The session, which has now tied the previous record for the second-longest session in state history, could have truckers coughing up more money.

Legislative leaders and transportation negotiators are trying to hammer out a package - with the help of a $195-an-hour professional mediator hired by the governor - for lawmakers to vote on, according to published reports. Rank and file legislators continue to wait by their phones for a summons to the Capitol, if and when a transportation package is put together.

House lawmakers are nearing completion of a statewide revenue package that could easily top $10 billion or $15 billion in state and regional user taxes. It's expected to include a 9- or 10-cent increase in the state's 23-cent-a-gallon fuel tax over the next three years, higher trucking fees of about 20-30 percent and a 1-2 percent surcharge on new and used auto sales. The Senate has a similar plan.

Another point of conflict has been whether lawmakers should approve the statewide portion of the tax package, or place it on the ballot. Gov. Gary Locke previously supported a public vote, but now favors handling the matter in the Legislature.

Lawmakers have struggled to agree on a transportation plan in their first three sessions this year. They also disagreed on how to approach regional financing on mega-projects, how to fit mass transit into the mix and how to overhaul the state Department of Transportation. Lawmakers have said they expect the special session to conclude by week's end.