Things are really getting serious in Harrisburg.

You might remember the state was supposed to have a new spending plan in place by midnight on June 30. It is now July 7, and a budget deal is nowhere in sight.

The two sides, that would be Gov. Ed Rendell and legislative leaders, actually sat down to talk dollars and cents yesterday afternoon.

The meeting lasted about 20 minutes before adjourning.

Sounds about right.

What world do these people live in? Is it possible to lock them in a room and not allow them food or water until they’ve hammer out a new budget?