The Wisconsin Legislature will be forced to meet in special session early next year to begin dealing with the worst budget deficit in state history.

Governor Jim Doyle received a report on Thursday confirming the bad news state policy makers have expected for weeks. The report from the Department of Administration shows tax collections are expected to fall by 2.2% this year and 3.9% next year. That, combined with spending commitments already made, will put the state $5.4 billion in the red by the middle of 2011.

Administration Secretary Michael Morgan says that is the worst deficit in state history. The Legislature will have to meet to deal with a $500 million shortfall for the current year.