Budget brou-ha-ha

PA legislators and governor Ed Rendell differ on how the state's budget should be made to balance. Republican Congressfolk called for a vote on his proposed cuts to Medicaid today in a noisy show of disdain for his suggestions. Dems claim that this wasn't a proposal in isolation, but as a starting point for negotiations; their accusation that the Repubs are trying to shame Rendell is somewhat borne out by the speedy press release put out by the PA GOP... There may be substantive negotiations underway as well, but it's a bit hard to tell through the smoke.

Update: John Baer offers his assessment of Wednesday's show, as well as prospects for other solutions to the budget problems and health coverage for the poor.