Keep special session short
State lawmakers admit they'll miss their budget deadline. That doesn't spell a failed session ... yet.
Their failure to pass a spending plan by Sunday's scheduled end of the 105-day legislative session can be minimized, even forgiven, if House and Senate leaders get right to work next week and bridge their remaining differences quickly. They should give themselves only a very short extension, and agree to limit it only to discussion of the 2011-13 budget and the bills needed to implement it.