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7/4/2009 3:32 AM

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One of these days - or decades, depending on our historically speedy Legislature - we might see lawmakers tackle certain issues that would propel this state into the 21st century. Chief among them would be to enact a reasonable state budget in advance of the constitutionally required June 30 deadline.

Yes, I know, that's quite a stretch, given the unwillingness of our lawmakers to hold meaningful discussions that would benefit the public and not just the interests of their respective parties.

After they prove they can accomplish that, maybe they can enact legislation that is long overdue, such as permitting beer and wine sales in grocery stores, decriminalize the sale, purchase and use of actual July 4th fireworks, and - hey, I'm sky-bluing it here - the consolidation of individual municipalities into real-size cities and population centers.

Oh, yeah, while also reducing the size of the Legislature, how about eliminating unrealistic perks, such as free-for-life family health care, oversize pensions and state-leased cars? Citizens don't get those by working in the private sector, so why makes them think they deserve them? (See above for examples of issues they could address, but won't.)

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Notice there is no mention about passage of a table-games bill simply because that's liable to pass before a budget compromise is reached. After all, since the slots bill was passed, full casino gambling has been the 800-pound gorilla running loose in the state House.

Have a safe and relatively noiseless July 4th. And be sure to get your beer and other adult libations at the sometimes inconvenient locations where Pennsylvania citizens can't buy weenies and beans, fried chicken, barbecue ribs and other picnic supplies.

And make sure you have all of your fingers so you can dial up your state representative sometime early next week and tell him thanks for nothing, and also thank him and his fellow lawmakers for higher taxes even with representation.

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Anniversary waltzes

July 4 - Shirley and George Kaminski of Gold Canyon, Ariz., formerly of Washington, their 40th

July 9 - Delores and Walter Sitka of Kissimmee, Fla., formerly of Washington, their 60th

July 10 - Marian and Bob Edgar of Washington, their 55th

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Birthday candles

July 4 - Freda Imperatore, Elizabeth Roule, Mary Jane Simpson, Mark Szczerbienzki

July 5 - Howard Anderson, Paul Glemba, Maureen Stead

July 7 - Janice Brownlee, Christie Campbell

July 9 - Amy Hoyle

July 10 - Cathy Rodsky

Byron Smialek's columns appear Tuesdays and Saturdays. Send anniversary and birthday greetings to 1312 Banetown Road, Washington, PA 15301. His e-mail address is: byretired@live.com/.

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