Wow! How did it get to be June already?

That means the countdown is starting for passage of a new state budget. The ostensible completion date is the end of the fiscal year, June 30th. Although state lawmakers have been known to miss that deadline in the past.

I'll be writing more about the state budget process -- or as I like to call it, the Cavalcade of Migraines.

Meanwhile, here's the text of a press release about an informational meeting that state Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-West Manchester, has scheduled for the state budget:

State Rep. Eugene DePasquale, D-West Manchester, will host a town hall meeting Thursday for residents living in the 95th Legislative District to discuss issues surrounding the 2008-09 state budget.

The meeting will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, June 5, at the Spring Garden Township Building, 340 Tri Hill Road in York.

DePasquale said he is hosting the town hall meeting to provide a forum for constituents to learn more about the budget process and find out what proposals are being offered. In addition, he said the meeting will allow residents to ask questions, express concerns and provide input regarding important quality-of-life issues.

"The state budget is the most important proposal that we pass each and every year, yet it is a process that is not well known by the public," DePasquale said. "This town hall meeting will give citizens the opportunity to learn more about the process and what I am hoping to accomplish this budget season."

DePasquale will be joined by Mary Soderberg, executive deputy secretary of the budget and the state's chief financial officer, and Dave Smith, central Pennsylvania regional manager for Good Schools Pennsylvania.

"I encourage my constituents to attend this meeting and share with me their thoughts on how we can improve the state's funding plan,” he said. "After all – it is their money."

Questions or additional information can be obtained by contacting DePasquale’s constituent service office at 717-848-9595, or through his Web site at www.pahouse.com/depasquale.