Just when it seemed that state Democrats and Republicans were making key progress in crafting a 2009-10 budget by an Oct. 1 deadline, we now have another reason to lose hope.
Two days after both parties agreed in principle to $1.2 billion in spending cuts, the Republican-led Senate now wants to pass a one-month continuation budget next week -- just in case no budget is finalized by Oct. 1.
While it's true the continuation budget would ensure that the government does not shut down without a budget in place Oct. 1, it also sends a signal that leaders have no faith a budget can be crafted in time. And it also removes any real pressure for both sides to compromise work out a deal.
What's the end result? Quite possibly, another whole month of bickering and political posturing.
