Where's my budget!? (Trick or Treat?)

The Detroit Free Press reports that Michigan is headed for Ground Hog Day on Halloween. It's deja vu all over again. Another tie score in our extra budget inning of October. That's right -- partisan wrangling continues and threatens another government shutdown.

It really isn't too early to say that. It may even be better for our collective mental health to accept that possibility today, rather than on Halloween. What a cosmic joke that would be -- trick or treat at the state house. Trick -- sorry no budget agreement, you get a shutdown instead. Treat -- we managed to work together for the first time in nine months.

Considering human nature and what we have endured this year, which is more likely?

According to the Free Press, areas of conflict include: medicaid, the Department of Human Services, foster care, and DNR license fees.

If this ongoing inability to compromise surprises you, you may be the eternal optimist, young at heart and willing to give everyone the benefit of the doubt. If you find it boring, disappointing and lacking drama, you are probably middle-aged.

Regardless your age and world view, as one of Michigan's ten million citizens, you will be affected by what happens in Lansing on Halloween.

If we are very, very lucky on October 31st, we might only have to worry about having enough candy by the front door.