Despite speculation that Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell will veto it the Senate returned to the Capitol Thursday to vote on a Democratic budget.

If the Senate passes the budget Thursday the House of Representatives is expected to pass it on Friday.

Even though they weren’t required to show up Thursday, Democratic lawmakers from the House urged their Senate colleagues to vote in favor of the budget Thursday afternoon as they ended a closed-door caucus.

“We’re here to convince our Senate colleagues to pass it,” Rep. Chris Caruso, D-Bridgeport, said. Caruso was joined by a handful of his House colleagues who were hunting down the Senators they suspected may vote against the Democratic budget proposal.

At last check it looked like four possibly five Democratic senators may vote against their own party’s budget proposal. If all five senators vote against the budget, it will likely pass 19-17. If six Democratic senators vote against the budget it would end in a tie and Republican Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele will cast a vote to break the tie. Neither of those vote tallies are enough to override a gubernatorial veto. The Senate would need 24 votes to override a veto.

Sen. President Donald Williams, D-Brooklyn, said Tuesday that it’s not his intention to override a gubernatorial veto. “Our goal is to get a budget the governor agrees with and work out a compromise for the people of Connecticut,” he said.

Check back later to find out how things turn out. Or here to read the budget bill