I’m back home after three days of session in Harrisburg.  Although we didn’t move much legislation on the floor, I got 18 bills through the Local Government Committee and took care of a lot of other necessary items while I was there.  Sometimes I can get a lot of legislative issues resolved with other members and staff when I’m there and sometimes the timing just isn’t right.  This week worked out better than most.  Of course that means that I’m further behind on emails and letters.  The press and most everyone else is pretty much focused on next Tuesday, the day of the Governor’s Budget Address.  This is akin to the State of the Union Address for Pennsylvania, but the subject matter is strictly focused on the budget.  We have session at a special time, walk together from the Senate Chamber to the House and sit together in the “well”.  The Cabinet members are seated to the side of the Speaker of the House and the Governor is introduced as he enters the chamber.  There are a lot of interesting dynamics this year given the state of the economy and last year’s budget fiasco.  I would think that he will frame his remarks around those two issues and build arguments about how to effectively get through the budget process and the downturn, but then again, Ed Rendell doesn’t always think like me.

- John