Behold, a budget?

Harrisburg, make this schedule the new normal

Partisan wrangling in Harrisburg has given way to compromise and cooperation. The Legislature passed a budget Friday and sent it off to Gov. Tom Wolf, a full week before the deadline. This may be the earliest passage of a spending plan in more than 15 years.

We have often decried the bickering and gridlock that led to late budgets in past years. The impasse of 2015-16 was epic in proportion, lasting nearly nine months and threatening basic services for millions of Pennsylvanians. Mr. Wolf, showing his frustration with the process, has allowed budget bills to pass into law without his signature.

This year, however, officials have moved expeditiously to agree on a $32.7 billion spending plan. Some in the Capitol say the progress is due to an improved revenue picture and the lack of a budget deficit, so different from last year’s $2 billion shortfall. Others say the on-time budget is simply a product of electoral politics, since legislators need to wrap this up and begin campaigning for re-election. Whatever the reason, the result is positive.

As in any political process, compromise was essential. For the fourth year in a row, the governor proposed a severance tax on natural gas drilling. He also requested a fee from municipalities that use the state police as their local force. We have supported both of these measures. However, neither is in the final document, showing the governor’s willingness to compromise.

In return, legislators approved a number of increases in education funding that he sought, including a $100 million increase in basic funding for K-12 schools and an increase in early childhood education. A few accounting gimmicks remain, such as $800 million in Medicaid expenses that was moved out of the general fund budget into a category that may be unfunded.

Pennsylvanians can be grateful for the lack of drama this year. Legislators should do more than savor the moment — they should reject the harmful gridlock of the past.