It’s only taken 20 weeks – more than four months after it was supposed to be done – but it appears the Pennsylvania Legislature is finally signing off on some key elements of its never-ending budget process.

Those no doubt will come as comforting words to state Rep. Mario Civera, R-164, who has indicated he feels compelled to stay in his state House seat until the budget is a done deal. And maybe beyond.

In the meantime, if you’ve been salivating at the thought of those glitzy new slots parlors in Pennsylvania – including Harrah’s down there in Chester – being a bit more like their swankier cousins in Atlantic City and Las Vegas, this just might be your lucky day.

The move to add table games to those slots parlors finally passed a crucial barrier in the state House last night. You might remember that one of the key planks in that contentious budget was using a huge chunk of money that casinos will pay for the licenses to add table games to plug a big hole in the budget.

In return casinos will be able to add poker, blackjack and craps to the slots action. The state’s take of the action is expected to be in the neighborhood of $320 million over the first two years of operation.

Of course, there are still some things that need to be worked out. There are a few differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation. Then there needs to be final votes on the bill, likely to happen this week.

Then they can start working on next year’s budget. At least that’s what Civera plans to do. He says he’s been asked by Democratic leaders, including House Appropriations boss Rep. Dwight Evans, D-Phila., to work on an expedited budget process that is supposed to start in late winter or early spring.

Does that mean Civera is likely to stay in the House, delaying any special election to fill his term? You can bet on it.