Moments of levity -- even when grounded in the most serious matters -- were more than welcome Sunday morning in Juneau, where a massive list of bills remains in the Legislature's final 13 hours of business.

House Speaker Mike Chenault secured hearty laughter from his caucus and, I hear, from Gov. Sean Parnell with a copy of this year's hefty $3.1 billion capital budget printed out on red paper, immune to the threats of red-pen vetoes by the governor.

The Senate's initial capital budget was a thick one, which Parnell warned he wasn't pleased with. The House tacked on a couple hundred million more, and is expected to vote on the measure today.

Using Facebook, press releases, speeches to the state GOP convention, meetings with legislative leadership and letters to constituents, Parnell has criticized a "spending spree" that he says is irresponsible and won't likely pass muster once he gets hold of the budget.

He hasn't publicly set a dollar max, or said which projects he may veto, but picked public safety, quality of life and infrastructure that spurs private sector investment as things he does like.

Along with a red-paper budget, Chenault has been seen this weekend with a can of red spray paint. Perhaps that is headed the governor's way as well, in levity or in wishful thinking.