TRENTON – In the middle of a big shoulders contest between Governor Phil Murphy and Senate President Steve Sweeney (D-3), a playfully, dysfunctional mood prevailed.

The Governor refused to negotiate.

He talked to people he thought could be his allies in North Jersey. But ultimately, caught in a rundown between legislative leadership and the front office of a new governor, most Democratic lawmakers intended to go with leadership, a veteran source told InsiderNJ.

Sources suspected the legislature would pass the Sweeney-Speaker Craig Coughlin version of the budget on Thursday, landing on the Governor’s desk a document he would then have to line-item veto to beat the deadline.

Murphy planned an 11 a.m. press conference on the budget, and Assembly Republicans had their own presser planned on its heels, at 11:30 a.m.

The Assembly Democrats would caucus this afternoon to strategize.