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Dear Editor:

“Can you balance the Pennsylvania state budget?” That’s the question asked by a new online game with a serious purpose. “You Budget PA” ( www.youbudgetpa.org )is a game that allows anyone to try to balance the Pennsylvania state budget by making choices about increasing revenue or making cuts in programs.
Pennsylvania is facing a budget deficit of historic proportions. This shortfall could get in the way of protecting our quality of life and building a strong future for all Pennsylvanians—if we let it.
As our state lawmakers wrestle over what to do, Keystone Progress wanted to give Pennsylvania taxpayers the opportunity to weigh the same options: Which programs do I cut? What’s more important, education for kids or health care for low-income families? What’s the right balance? Governor Rendell’s budget proposed some major cuts. The Republican-led Senate passed a draconian budget that slashed many programs. But with a $5.8 budget hole, it’s clear that belt-tightening isn’t enough. There will also need to be some new sources of revenue to fulfill the constitutional requirement of a balanced budget.
After participants balance the budget, they will have the opportunity to send their solutions to their legislators.
Give it a try. Then send your solution to your lawmakers.

Michael Morrill

www.KeystoneProgress.org