If you ask a state legislator, particularly one who’s been around for a few terms, what their priorities are for the upcoming session, they’ll solemnly say something along the lines of, "Pass a balanced state budget." That’s the same thing as saying that one of your priorities for the next day is to breathe oxygen or drink water — that pretty much is always going to occur, unless you happen to drop dead unexpectedly. Legislators can always be counted on to pass a balanced budget.