Assemblyman Kenneth D. Blankenbush, R-Black River, is our region’s sole minority member; his conference is not represented by one of the three men in the room who hash out the budget’s nitty gritty.

But Mr. Blankenbush had some kind words to say about the process this time around. Unlike the pension changes and redistricting proposals that were passed in the dark of night two weeks ago with little notice on the final bills, the 2012-2013 budget sat on legislators’ desks for three days, and they voted to approve the bill while it was still light out.

“That, I believe, was the best procedure the state has had in quite awhile,” said Mr. Blankenbush, who voted for the budget but voted against one part of it that he believes will allow state authorities to expand their borrowing ability.

It's also the second year in a row that the budget was passed on time.

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