About 10 hours ahead of a possible government shutdown, lawmakers traversing between the Capitol and their offices are offering glimpses into final budget negotiations.

Republican Sen. Mike Jungbauer said several committee chairs have invited senators into private meetings today to fill them in on the details of various proposals.

"They're telling us here's what the governor's staff said, here's what we think, here's where there's a lot of agreement, and here's the things that we're not up to speed on," Jungbauer said.

In particular, he said the governor's office has "come up with some good ideas" regarding cost savings measures. He has not heard about "revenue raisers."

"We've seen the general sketch of the landscape of what's going on, what stuff is under negotiation," Jungbauer said. "And I think we're so dang close, if we shut it down I'm going to be really pissed."

DFL Sen. Tom Bakk, the minority leader in the Senate, walked from the State Office Building to the Capitol at about 2 p.m. Asked whether he thinks a shutdown can be averted, he said it "seems difficult."

He was headed into the governor's office for a meeting, but did not know who else was attending. Bakk said he is calling his members back to St. Paul this afternoon.

For a possible special session? "Either that or get together to talk about how people might talk about a shutdown," Bakk said.

On the higher education front, Rep. Bud Nornes told the Star Tribune that negotiators have "pretty much settled" on higher ed funding. "That's all I can say."

Jenna Ross contributed to this report