You'll probably see more stories about Gov. Ed Rendell's proposed state budget in the weeks ahead. Things are looking pretty bleak this year -- a reflection of the larger national economyl.
It's useful to keep something in mind when you read those stories around this time of year. At this point, the state budget is pretty much just an abstraction.
See, here's how it works. The state budget passes in the fom of state legislation. The governor can't create legislation, but he can veto it.
Meaning that that governor can't create a budget in the first place, but he can prevent a budget he doesn't like from passing into law.
It's all part of the balance of power. Basically, neither the House, the Senate nor the governor can put out a state budget without each others' help.
So in February, the governor "introduces" a state budget. In doing so, he knows the chance of the budget passing as he's proposed it is pretty much slim to none, and slim just left town.
His goal at that point isn't to bring out the next year's state budget, so much as to alert members of the legislature what his priorities are. He's saying, in effect: "Hey. House and Senate. This is what I want the budget to look like. If you want me to sign off on what you pass, it better bear a strong resemblance to this."
Members of the House are now going through a series of budget hearings, where they confer with spokespeople from the various state departments to get n idea of what their needs are, and the extent to which those needs do or don't jibe with the governor's funding proposals.
Theoretically, the House is supposed to draft the budget. Then the Senate makes any chnages they deem necessary. Then the House signs off on those changes. Then it goes to the governor for final approval.
In actuality, nothing about the process is that cut-and-dried.
The various caucuses meet and talk things out in greater frequency as the budget deadline of June 30th approaches. Lots of close-door conferences take place. Compromises are made. Threats are voiced. Violent impulses are repressed.
And somehow, a balanced budget (required by state law) comes out of it all by the end.
So will this year's budget look anything like the governor's proposal. It's way too early to tell, of course. With the economy in its current shape, however, it's a safe bet that the final budget won't represent a windfall for anyone.
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