As of July 1, 2008, the General Assembly had amassed a surplus of some $201.5 million. This is enough money to fund Head Start for more than 5 years, the State Ethics Commission for more than a century, or put $60 back in the pockets of every family of four.

Excuse: The legislature needs a reserve fund to be independent of the governor, who has the power to wipe out the legislature's line item in the budget.
No Excuse!