hold on, I'm thinkin' by buckshot.jones

Lansing's inability to execute compromises deprives many other agencies of the ability to plan properly as well.

So write the editors of the Detroit Free Press, who say that this week is a crucial week for Michigan lawmakers as they address next year's budget without any kind of agreement as to the cuts. Michigan Radio's Jack Lessenberry digs into the herculean challenge they face of filling an ever-widening budgetary sinkhole and says that:

We’ve all been used to getting services from the state that come so automatically we don’t think about them.

Except now we have to. We need our elected leaders to level with us, and offer us competing and honest visions for the future. There’s less money than there used to be.

There also ain’t no such thing as a free lunch. Do we want what we are used to having?

If so, we are going to have to raise taxes.

Unfortunately, with no agreement and (worse) no will on either site of the aisle to make difficult choices, it looks as if we may be in for another long summer as everyone waits for the legislature to make the tough choices.