State budget deal

An uncommon thing occurred in Harrisburg. Lawmakers appear to have reached a compromise on a budget.

Could it be? Is it true? Will Pennsylvania soon have a budget? Or is it another false alarm?

We won't know for sure until the governor signs a spending bill that finally ends the lengthy impasse, now in its fourth month. As of this writing, only so-called "procedural details" stood in the way. Of course, that's what they said last month when a pending budget deal was announced with smiles and handshakes all around. But instead of ironing out details, lawmakers sought to remold the measure in their political favor - and the deal fell apart.

The new agreement came about when several controversial tax proposals were cut out. Among them was a sales tax on tickets for performing arts events, museums and zoos. This was a senseless proposal and universally unpopular. We're glad to see it go. Many cultural events are staged by volunteer organizations that struggle to raise funds just to remain in existence.

Forcing ticket prices higher and adding burdensome tax-collecting duties onto the backs of community groups was no way to encourage attendance of cultural events that are both affordable and accessible, especially for the young and old. And what was the logic behind taxing tickets for a show at the community playhouse but not a Phillies game? What a welcome departure. Less welcome is the removal of taxes on smokeless tobacco and cigars. This has little to do with what's right and wrong and just plain sensible, and a lot more to do with lawmakers protecting industries in their home districts. In removing the tax proposal, Pennsylvania will remain the only state in the nation that does not tax smokeless tobacco or cigars - both of which are believed to be leading causes of oral caner.

Public health groups argued that extending the tax to cigars and smokeless tobacco would be good public policy and a substantial source of revenue if the tax were to be commensurate with the one imposed on cigarettes. Alas, that battle will be fought another day - and should be.

Meanwhile, predictions are that a budget will be in place by the end of the week. This will bring a welcome end to disruptions in all sorts of services that rely on state money.

To guard against a repeat of the budget fiasco, which has turned into an annual event, we stand squarely behind state Rep. Steve Santarsiero's proposal to withhold lawmakers' paychecks until a budget is approved. Knowing they won't get paid after the June 30h budget deadline likely will compel lawmakers to get serious sooner - and to engage in what has become a lost art in Harrisburg: compromise.