May 18th, 2009

Today The Patriot-News editorialized in favor of Rep. Ron Marsico’s (R-Dauphin) proposed legislation that would prohibit state lawmakers or the governor from recieving pay every day that a budget is not passed after June 30.  Currently, lawmakers do not get paid until the budget is passed, but they recieve backpay for all days that were missed.  Rep. Marsico’s bill would eliminate this backpay.

The Patriot’s editors believe that it’s not fair that only state workers must go without pay during an impasse, while the people that are most responsible for the late budget — the lawmakers — don’t have to make that sacrifice themselves. 

The legislation might not only provide a means for people to talk about a compromise more quickly, but it also could embolden normally all-too-reticent backbenchers to push their leadership to get the job done. Many times they are left with little information on what is really going on with the budget negotiations.

And we suspect that the penalty for not achieving a budget agreement by midnight June 30 will involve more than just the loss of pay. Those who stand out as uncompromising are going to make a lot of enemies if the budget deadline isn’t met.