CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The General Assembly is forcing open a back door to ensure that a critical two-year state budget makes it on the books.

Lawmakers, with the support of Governor Glenn Youngkin, have set up what’s known as a parliamentary maneuver that would give them additional time to hammer out a deal past the June 30 deadline, if needed.

James Madison University political analyst Dr. Bob Roberts explained why to WSVA’s sister station, WINA.

“Everybody took a deep breath and said we don’t want to go down this path shutting down the state on July 1 because it would destroy funding for K-12 public education and higher education,” Roberts said. “It means disaster.”

Roberts added that without a budget deal, the state’s bond rating would go to – as he put it – hell in a handbasket.