I AM FOND OF THE IDEA THAT STATES ARE LABORATORIES OF DEMOCRACY — that for our ongoing experiment in self-government to work, it’s crucial to try new and novel ideas that can address the problems of our day.

At the same time, I must note that this newsletter is being sent shortly after June 30, Pennsylvania’s increasingly toothless statutory budget deadline. Every budget since 2022 has been late by at least a few days, if not more. (Skim to The Feed to catch up on where talks sit right now, or check out my colleague Katie Meyer’s story here.)

Some hear this point and wave it away. If talks must go a wee long to hammer out a good deal, what’s the harm? Real consequences aren’t felt for a few weeks anyway. 

IF THE DELAYS WERE ONLY A FEW DAYS, THEN PERHAPS THIS POINT COULD BE BETTER TAKEN. But last year's impasse went 120 days, leading schools and nonprofits to pile up debt they will struggle to get out from under. So I go back to self-governance — freely elected governments run on public accountability. Perhaps folks need some incentives to start talking earlier.