Day 62 without a real budget.  It will be interesting to see how budget talks progress this week.  If the Governor is using the House D’s to stall, this indicates a much longer wait.  If things actually progress, then there is some hope.  I spoke and corresponded with several people today about the budget.  I also worked on other constituent and scheduling issues.  Despite the importance of the budget, other issues and circumstances also need attention.  In the news today were two stories about legal issues.  Former Senator Vince Fumo reported to his new home, a federal penitentiary in Kentucky, today and former Representative Sean Ramaley’s bonusgate hearing was postponed from mid-September until December 1.  The Bonusgate investigation is getting press these days because AG Tom Corbett has put himself into a position where whatever he does looks political.  He said throughout the investigation that he would not make major announcements about any case too close to an election because it might be construed as giving some political advantage to a party or person.  Yet, he is expected to announce his own candidacy for Governor soon and has made recent comments about the potential of more indictments in the works.   After waiting over 2 ½ years, blowing about $10 million of tax money and seeing only two former House Democrats and some of their staffers indicted, the promise of a thorough investigation into both chambers on both sides of the aisle looks disingenuous.  Add to this mix, the fact that the AG has taken campaign contributions from many legislators in the past and needs the support of legislators if he runs for Governor puts him in an even tougher to explain situation.  It’s a real mess and one that Tom Corbett has created for himself and, unfortunately, our Commonwealth.

- John