MADISON, Wis. -- A spokeswoman for the Democratic leader in the Senate said the focus Wednesday remains on passing the entire state budget, not just one piece that Gov. Jim Doyle wants lawmakers to take up separately.

Senate Majority Leader Russ Decker's spokeswoman Carrie Lynch said talks are continuing with legislative leaders and the governor's office to reach a budget deal by Thursday or Friday.

Neither the Senate nor the Assembly is expected to meet Wednesday to take up changes to the hospital tax as Doyle wanted. The changes will ensure the state receives $74 million in federal money.

Doyle spokesman Lee Sensenbrenner said the governor wants to see the hospital tax change passed by Monday if lawmakers can't reach a deal on the entire budget by then.

Talks continued in private this week among lawmakers and the governor's staff to reach a deal that could allow both the Senate and Assembly to pass a budget before the new fiscal year starts July 1.

Failure to accomplish that puts millions of dollars in federal money at risk and delays the state from dealing with a projected $6.6 billion shortfall.