The special session called by Gov. Rod Blagojevich will accomplish little - other than wasting more state tax dollars - until he faces the reality that there is inadequate support or money for his health insurance plan.

The special session would have made more sense if there were new ideas on the table.

At least a government shutdown was avoided through passage of a one month "interim" budget. But the Illinois Legislature shouldn't make it a habit.

State Sen. Matt Murphy, R-Palatine, called it the Political Cover for Obstinate Leaders Act and said, "If you don't keep their feet to the fire, we'll be doing this until calendar year 2008." Let's hope he is wrong. This is a temporary solution to what should be a temporary problem.

But the longer it drags on, the worse things could get. It is difficult for businesses, not to mention state employees, to plan when the state is living month to month. Interim budgets can't address more long-range issues. They just compound existing problems such as the failure of the state to pay its bills in a timely manner.

Both parties should be fully engaged in the budgeting process.

That includes Senate Republicans, even though Democrats there have a large enough majority that they don't "need" Republican votes. House Democrats have little choice. They need Republican votes to get the supermajority needed to pass legislation after the May 31 deadline passed.

The longer this drags on, the greater the temptation will be for individual lawmakers in both parties to start horse-trading - seeking special favors for their districts in exchange for votes. That could cause state spending to balloon even further, putting Illinois in more desperate financial shape.

Blagojevich and state legislative leaders must not become more entrenched just because the one-month budget extension has bought them time.

Instead, they should use that time for meaningful negotiations and compromise that gives greatest weight to the best interests of the state, not their political legacies. The governor, in particular, should recognize the state can't afford a comprehensive health insurance plan, particularly if it's balanced on the backs of businesses that keep the Illinois economy rolling.

A few days off for Independence Day may have provided a cooling off period for the legislative leaders and Blagojevich. We hope the folks back home give their lawmakers an earful during holiday festivities and that they, in turn, convey that information to their leaders.

There should be no massive new taxes. There should be a concerted effort to have the state live within its means and meet existing obligations. Use natural revenue growth for such things as fully funding state mandates imposed on schools.