Get ready to pay more, folks...

Some Massachusetts business advocates and Republican lawmakers say they are resigned to the inevitability of a state sales tax increase, leaving just two constituencies to battle over smaller tax proposals - package store operators and satellite TV companies.

Both the House and Senate have taken votes to raise the sales tax from 5 percent to 6.25 percent, and their respective budget plans for next year are being reconciled by a conference committee. For tax opponents, the best chance to block the sales tax hike would be for Governor Deval Patrick to veto the ultimate compromise, and for Patrick to persuade several lawmakers to join his side to help enforce a veto.

It is an unlikely scenario, opponents acknowledged yesterday. Groups like the Associated Industries of Massachusetts, which previously lobbied strenuously against the sales tax hike, have turned their attention to several other areas.

"That issue, as far as the conference committee is concerned, is not a debatable issue," said Brian R. Gilmore, an executive vice president for the organization, which represents businesses across the state.

"We're way beyond that at this point," said Senate Minority Leader Richard Tisei, a Wakefield Republican. "I'm against it and don't want to see it go into effect, but that battle has already been fought and lost. I don't see how the dynamics would change."

The sales tax hike is "in both budgets," said Senator Steven C. Panagiotakos, chairman of the Senate Committee on Ways and Means. "I don't even know if we could take it out if we wanted to at this point."

There remains some diehard opposition, however. The Massachusetts Retailers Association sent out fliers yesterday to encourage customers to call their legislators and the governor to oppose the proposed hike.

"We're going to continue the fight," said Jon Hurst, president of the group. "Never say die."

UPDATE: More from Gov. Patrick and the AP.

SECOND UPDATE: More from Scot Lehigh, the Herald and the Globe.

THIRD UPDATE: From Michael Graham, NewMajority.com, the Herald and the Globe.