CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) - Twenty minutes after the Senate was supposed to begin its afternoon floor session today -- with more reporters than lawmakers on the floor -- Senator Frank Deem offered a prediction.

The Wood County Republican said -- quote -- "They won't start 'til that ball game's over."

Even if his fellow Senators weren't preoccupied with West Virginia University's overtime victory against St. John's, they took nearly an hour getting onto the floor.

On the last day of the 78th Legislature's final regular session, though, such tardiness didn't seem out of place.

With most major bills dealing with relatively arcane matters of taxes, pay and pensions, the last day's standard sense of urgency was replaced by a vague feeling that the last day of school had come early.

Politicians mingled at receptions instead of battling on chamber floors. Meetings were abandoned because quorums couldn't be reached. Legislative staffers played cards in one office while reporters glided by, looking for food.

House of Delegates Clerk Greg Gray, who is in his 35th session, says he can't remember a single year with so few late nights.