Monday, August 17, 2009

A dilemma for Mario Civera

In their visit with our editorial board, state Rep. Mario Civera, R-164, and state Sen. Dominic Pileggi, D-9, were fairly blunt in their belief that Democrats and Gov. Ed Rendell were dragging their feet when it comes to striking a budget deal.

In fact, they plainly indicated they do not see a budget resolution until sometime in September.

That could present a problem for Civera. And I asked him about it.

This is the last time the Upper Darby Republican will do one of these state budget charades. He’s giving up his state House seat to run for County Council.

I asked him if the state budget impasse could affect his plans, if he was troubled at all at the prospect of possibly being out campaigning for council while the state was still operating without a fiscal plan.

Civera admitted he had thought about it, and it’s not necessarily something he wants to do.

Then I asked him point blank: Would he ever consider withdrawing from the council race if the state budget mess drags on closer to election day?

No chance, he told the editorial board.

Civera says he made the decision to leave the state House and has no plans to change tracks now.

I guess an optimist could view that as a belief that the state will have a budget in place by the first week in November.

Then again, the way this state operates, I wouldn’t bet the house on it.

Or, in Civera’s case, the House either.

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