The seemingly never-ending discussion on the renovation of State Street got an important boost Friday when the U.S. House of Representatives approved $1 million to help implement the State Street Strategic Plan.

As a matter of principle, it is rather preposterous that the federal government will help pay for what is obviously a local matter. But pork is reality, and it is good to see Rep. Tammy Baldwin bringing some home. Now responsibility falls on the city to actually get something accomplished.

We have already commented on the city’s procrastination in dealing with the increasingly decrepit condition of Madison’s signature street. Now that the federal government has acted, it’s time for the city to do the same. With federal money in hand, the city should abandon its usual leisurely legislative pace and renovate State Street as soon as possible.