For those of you who still follow this blog through a feeder, I just wanted to make you aware that It's Our Money's Ben Waxman just wrapped up a pretty extensive piece about Governor Rendell's 2009 budget proposal.
Enlisting the help of some think tanks who occupy the opposite ends the political spectrum, Ben analyzes 4 of the major components of Rendell's budget - explaining what they are, whom they impact, how much they'll cost, and where the money will come from.
With a little more than 11 days until the midnight deadline on June 30, the governor and the Republicans in the General Assembly are still pretty far apart on several of these spending programs. As you prepare for the heated rhetoric of "stonewalling" and threats of government shutdowns, worker furloughs, and nuclear disaster (just kidding), it may help to take the time to learn what they're arguing over.
When the clock strikes midnight in 11 days will Rendell's budget turn into one the commonwealth's fine pumpkins or will the governor come out looking like a slightly corpulent prince.
Check out Ben's work and let us know your thoughts.