Jodi Reese and Doug Webster: The state legislature’s three big, disabling, chosen dysfunctions

Pennsylvania’s leaders can’t pass an annual budget on time. Now we’re heading for two months late with no solution in site.

Our legislature has missed four of the past twelve June 30 budget deadlines mandated in the Pennsylvania Constitution. In part, they appear to be a function of a secretive process which bypasses our Constitution and rules of both chambers.

Worse yet, our own senators and representatives are largely in the dark as to what is happening while powerful leaders wrestle behind closed doors.

How the costs are hidden

Appropriation bills follow the path of all legislation enacted by the General Assembly. A House or Senate committee must report a bill before the full House or Senate can consider it. The state’s constitution mandates that all members of each chamber must con