Surprise, surprise.

A meeting of legislative leaders and Governor Jim Doyle late Thursday afternoon on the budget shortfall did not come up with a solution.

A member of Doyle's administration sent lawmakers a letter Thursday saying that state payments to schools, local governments and others will have to be prorated starting in August unless the $527 million budget shortfall is solved soon.

Doyle says the letter shows why there is an urgent need to reach a budget agreement.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)