It's deja vu all over again in Harrisburg

John Micek has an interesting analysis on the secret budget deal that Gov. Ed Rendell and Legislative leaders tentatively agreed to on June 30.

Four days later, few details have emerged on the deal. And the Legislature has apparently abandoned its own rules on giving everyone plenty of notice before important votes.

All this cloak-and-dagger stuff reminds some of July 2005 when the infamous legislative pay raise emerged after secret negotiations.

Micek writes:

Reformers also have complained about some of the parliamentary tactics embraced to keep the budget process moving. On Tuesday, the House skipped a procedural step that has traditionally allowed rank-and-file lawmakers to offer amendments for such local priorities as libraries and county substance abuse programs.

Read Micek's analysis, "Is the state opening back door for the budget?" at The Morning Call Web site.