MADISON, Wis. (AP) -- The Wisconsin state Assembly won't begin state budget debate until Thursday. It was originally scheduled to start Wednesday.

The delay is because Democratic state Rep. Ann Hraychuck of Balsam Lake is out of state Wednesday due to the death of her mother-in-law.

Assembly Democrats met in private on Monday to discuss the budget. Those talks were scheduled to continue on Tuesday before budget debate begins.

Democrats hold a slim 52-46 majority in the Assembly. It takes 50 votes to pass the budget, making every vote critical.

The one independent lawmaker, Jeff Wood of Bloomer, has been meeting in caucus with Democrats.