(WHTM) — The State Budget will be two months late next week, and it seems the two sides can’t agree on how much to spend. Our Capitol reporter, Dennis Owens, thinks he’s found a spending number and offers this suggestion to negotiators, free of charge.

“I know you all have heard me say this a bunch of times, and I can see Dennis roll his eyes when I say it,” said Governor Josh Shapiro.

Governor Shapiro says it a lot: ‘A divided legislature needs to compromise.’

“The leaders in both chambers have to make tough choices,” said Shapiro. “We’re down to the part where there’s just a few things left, and each of them has to get uncomfortable, and now’s the time to do that.”

Schools are already uncomfortable, so are commuters in the state’s busiest region and counties, who are all counting on Commonwealth cash.

“I’m not going to get into the specifics of our negotiations,” said Shapiro.

The biggest budget question is how much to spend, but no agreement has been made. House Democrats passed a budget of just over $50 billion. Senate Republicans passed one just under $48 billion. What’s between 48 and 50?

“Why don’t we just settle the thing at $49 [billion], get it done, and call it a summer?” asked Senate Republican Leader Joe Pittman (R). “If we could get a spending number at $49 billion, I think most of my caucus would be very much on board with that. Who do I need to call to make that happen? The Ghostbusters?”

“You know what? Your projections are probably right,” said Rep. Jim Haddock (D). “I love it to be in the $49 [billion], to be honest with you. I’m glad to hear that, by the way.”

Pennsylvanians are frustrated to hear of a budget standoff… again. Though the names and the numbers change, the story doesn’t. In 2009, school kids helped Governor Rendell and Republicans find common ground between $27 billion and $29 billion.

$49 billion is more than Republicans want to spend, but less than Democrats want to spend, which achieves a compromise.

“I’d love to get it done,” said Haddock.