Still, a desire for a more harmonious session can’t trump basic convictions, according to Rep. Tony Cornish, R-Vernon Center, who likes to tell the story about the constituent who bawled him out during last year’s stalemate.

The woman spotted him in a store in Amboy, scolded him for the Legislature’s inability to get along and told him to learn how to compromise.

“And just before I reached the door, she said ‘But don’t you dare raise my taxes,’” said Cornish, laughing at the contradictory advice. “That’s what the (stalemate) was all about.”