Senate Democrats are poised at this hour to begin debate on a $3 billion tax increase that Gov. M. Jodi Rell will promptly veto – if Senate President Don Williams, D-Brooklyn, can even find the votes to pass the legislation.

The farce that has become the Democratic legislative budget process has now entered a new level of incompetency. At least the Senate Republicans and Democrats in New York can say they are evenly divided.

Williams, who has called Gov. Rell a “liar” on numerous occasions over budget deficit numbers, is now proceeding with approving the largest tax increase in Connecticut history. And downstairs in the House, fellow Democrats are gong to pass their version of a $3 billion tax hike by using Gov. Rell’s estimates.

Democrats are going through the motions with the end of fiscal year five days away. They believe their constituency – the unions, the non-profits, the professional welfare class – will convince enough of the public that we can’t do without this current level of government services and that others can pay for it with higher fees and taxes.

Williams will tell enough Senators that they don’t have to worry because the big tax increases are on families making $500,000 and up. If he can convince people like State Sen. Gayle Slossberg, D-Milford and State Sen. Ed Meyer, D-Guilford, that their constituents won’t pay any taxes, he will pass the bill. But a tax increase is a tax increase. Let us hope the Democrats play according to part.

Williams and House Speaker Chris Donovan are delusional and dangerous. They have become so comfortable wtih rewarding their friends with such lucrative spending that they think there is no turning back.

The Democrats are rotting from within and it is now becoming more and more apparent to everyday votes. Today, the Hartford Courant nailed Williams for his failure to allow for further disciplinary action against State Sen. Thomas Gaffey, D-Meriden and State Sen. Joe Crisco, R-Woodbridge.

It’s always a good day when the Courant calls two Democratic Senators – “miscreants.”