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Dec 18, 2015 By Commentary State Rep. Pam Snyder, D-Jefferson 3 min read

I’ve always believed that everything happens for a reason. But as I sit in the early morning hours at my Capitol office on Dec. 10 — Day 163 of the budget impasse — I ask myself: why?

Why do we still have no budget?

Why are our school districts being stretched to their limits?

Why are people being denied vital services?

Why are employees in various agencies being furloughed during the holidays?

Why are senior citizens being denied services?

I have witnessed this budget debacle since June 30. I have not cashed a paycheck since then, and can only imagine the financial pain our schools, human services, counties and senior agencies feel.

I’m sure they feel as I do — disgusted, angry and embarrassed.

I have been a member of the state General Assembly for three years. Many times, I’ve looked around the Capitol in awe, so proud and honored to represent the people of the 50th Legislative District.

But as a rank-and-file member on day 163 without a budget, I’m embarrassed to be associated with the dysfunction.

To understand where we are, one must look at where we’ve been. The General Assembly passed former Gov. Tom CorbettÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ budgets with few questions asked for the previous four years — Republicans voting yes, Democrats voting no.

Unrealistic revenue numbers were plugged into those four budgets.

Imagine doing your monthly household budget and listing all the money you make in one column and all that you spend in another. But the spend column is higher than the revenue column. So you think to yourself, I’ll play the lottery and win the difference.

Presto, budget balanced!

ThatÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ what has happened in Pennsylvania for the previous four years.

Now itÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ time to fix it.

The governor, House Democrats, and Republicans and Democrats in the state Senate have all worked together to forge a solution.

Regrettably, some House Republicans don’t want to do that. They want to keep Pennsylvania sinking and suffering.

So, why are we sitting here on Dec. 10, day 163, with no budget?

The answer is simple: politics, ego and control!

No one wants to pay taxes. I voted against the transportation bill last session because it would tax people more at the gas pumps. I voted against a personal income tax and Marcellus shale tax just two months ago. I don’t want to pay more taxes any more than the next guy.

We compromise in everything we do in life except, apparently, in government.

But this impasse must end now for the good of our children and commonwealth.

Compromise is not a bad thing — itÄ¢¹½ÊÓƵ a good thing. And compromise is needed on this budget, in this Capitol, immediately!