We will readily admit we may often sound like a broken record.

Unfortunately, many of the issues confronting our communities and our state frankly require we repeat ourselves.

When a recent article from The Center Square’s Anthony Hennen detailed how the state Department of Corrections accrued an additional $40 million in overtime costs in the past two years, it wa a stark reminder of why the state must get its spending under control and why the state should not dip into reserves and rainy day funds to cover what almost certainly will be recurring costs.

An additional $40 million in overtime was not anticipated when the budgets for the two years in question were presented, were negotiated and were passed by legislators and signed into law.

The sudden, unplanned expenditure aptly demonstrates why the state must have money for unforeseen events.

It also aptly demonstrates how planned costs by the state can escalate, costing taxpayers more than they initially are told.

We believe our region’s lawmakers recognize these truths. We hope they can effectively make the case this spring and summer for why the Shapiro administration’s budget proposal is too costly and its reliance on reserves and the rainy day fund too risky to proceed.

Even if they, like us, must frequently repeat themselves to do so.