Our Say: Lagging economy will force state to try real austerity

Last fall's frantic legislative special session ultimately focused less on austerity and more on tax increases - most notably, a 20 percent increase in the state sales tax.

Guess what? It still wasn't enough - not by a long shot.

Along with the usual gamble that memories of tax increases would fade by the time the next election rolled around, the governor and the legislators were wagering that the economic slowdown would be mild and temporary.

They lost that bet. Now they will have no choice but to impose some real austerity, a lot of which will be passed on to the counties.

Things are going to be grim at...