Closing gavels fell at 9:14 p.m. on Day 59 of the maximum 60-day session, an unusual achievement that had leaders crowing about their ability to make the trains run on time. A light snowfall began about the same time, unusual for Olympia at this time of year.

Democratic leaders and Gov. Chris Gregoire hailed the session as one of state history's most prolific, noting breakthroughs in water, medical malpractice, unemployment insurance and other perennial issues that had bedeviled the Legislature for years.

"I think we have had an unbelievably productive legislative session," the governor told a post-adjournment news conference.

Lawmakers have "set the state of Washington on a path of success," she said in heaping praise on the session.

House Speaker Frank Chopp, D-Seattle, said he was "very, very proud" of his colleagues. Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, also touted the long list of accomplishments, conceding that the huge surplus made it easier.

"We were lucky - we had a growing economy," she said.

"For a short session, we accomplished amazing things," said House Majority Leader Lynn Kessler, D-Hoquiam. "We're a little breathless, but happy."

Minority Republicans weren't as happy. The Senate GOP was furious about what they saw as a last-minute doublecross over a bill. They had been carping about the Democrats' budget for days.

The Legislature has run at a breakneck pace this year - unusual for an election-year session that typically is an afterthought to the long budget-writing session of the previous year.

This year, lawmakers heaped their agendas high, including spirited debate about what to do with a $1.6 billion budget surplus. And a number of surprises, such as passage of the perennial gay rights bill, kept them hopping.

An assertive Gregoire, dubbed the "negotiator-in-chief," generated some of the hyperkenetic energy.

"She was the X factor of the session," said Sen. Erik Poulsen, D-Seattle, chairman of the Senate Water, Energy and Environment Committee.

Overall, minority Republicans gave the session a mixed review, complaining about being shut out of budgetwriting and furious with the size of the spending plan. They also crossed swords over 25-year prison terms for sex predators. But they acknowledged bipartisan success in revamping the unemployment insurance system and dealing with the state's severe water problems.

Much of the final day's skirmishing centered around the budget - a $1.3 billion package that includes $720 million to create savings accounts for pensions, schools and health care next year.

It also lowers various business taxes by more than $50 million and spends $522 million.

The new spending includes extra money for schools, including help for students struggling with the Washington Assessment of Student Learning; additional college enrollments; and expanded health care for children and the working poor. Teachers get a small pay bump.

It also directs state parks to stop charging a $5 day-use parking fee.

It's a supplemental budget and will go atop the existing two-year budget of $26 billion approved last year.

Democrats in both chambers called the plan a well-balanced and prudent use of the $1.6 billion reserve. Republicans were just as vociferous in branding the Democrats' plan a spending spree that sets the state up for tax increases or painful cuts just one year from now.

But Democrats held their own members in line - both those who wanted more spending and those who would have liked a bit more savings - and pressed the plan through both chambers without breaking a sweat.

The House vote, 55-43, came first, along party lines. The Senate added its blessings later, 29-19, with a handful of Republicans joining the Democrats in favor.

The measure was sent to the governor, who has 30 days to study it.

The lawmakers also sent Gregoire new construction and transportation budgets and the tax-cut measures, including breaks for the timber industry and pop syrup.

The House also sent the governor a measure making driving under the influence a felony after five DUI arrests in 10 years. Earlier, lawmakers approved a meth crackdown and sex predator legislation.

The main budget debate was similar in the two chambers.

Democratic budget Chairwoman Helen Sommers, Seattle, said the package makes smart investments in education and higher education, and provides stability by setting aside bountiful reserve funds for next year.

"For every dollar this budget spends, it saves two dollars," said Rep. Bill Fromhold, D-Vancouver, budget vice chairman.

Labor Chairman Steve Conway, D-Tacoma, said the tax-cut package and workforce-training programs will spur the economy.

Republicans said there is plenty to like in the budget but that overall, it's dangerous.

Rep. John Ahern, R-Spokane, complained about "overspending and undersaving. It's credit-card budgeting."

Rep. Doug Ericksen, R-Ferndale, called it the "culminating project" for Democrats who wanted to go hog wild with spending. He calculated the spending increase at $686 per Washington resident.

"It's a tough day for the people of Washington," he said.

In the Senate, Democrats said the budget judiciously divides the surplus between needed savings and critical spending for schools, housing, the elderly and job creation.

"Everybody's a winner," said Senate Budget Chairwoman Margarita Prentice, D-Renton.

The GOP's budget leader, Sen. Joe Zarelli, R-Ridgefield, said the extra spending may have short-term appeal, but will saddle lawmakers and taxpayers with big problems eventually.

"The people ought to be concerned," he said.

Senate Majority Leader Lisa Brown, D-Spokane, dismissed the complaints, challenging critics to come up with a single part of the budget they'd cut. She got no takers.

Four Republicans voted in favor: Don Benton of Vancouver, Alex Deccio of Yakima, Bob McCaslin of Spokane and Pam Roach of Auburn. Democrat Tim Sheldon of Potlatch voted against it.