Late this week Governor Gregoire suggested that she would consider a special session if the federal Medicaid matching dollars do not come to the state by August 9.

Speaking to KOMO radio she shared that she would consider a special session and will consult with legislative leaders to limit a session to a day or two.

This comes at a time when Washington faces a projected shortfall of $3 billion in the 2011-13 budget cycle and a slow economic recovery that is forcing fundamental changes in state operations.

Speculation suggests that a special session could take place as soon as September.