There shall, starting today, begin a mighty debate in the House about the state budget.

There will likely be fist-pounding speeches and dramatic proclamations about the future of Pennsylvania. At some point in time, there might even be a vote.

Yet many who have closely followed the budget impasse this year say it will amount to little more than busywork.

That is because the spending plan the House could begin deliberating as early as this week contains steep cuts, and is being used by Democrats as little more than a bargaining chip to force a break in the budget deadlock between Gov. Rendell and Republican lawmakers.

Read more.