Legislative leaders say it may be necessary to continue the session after the normal June 5 date for closing because of the tough decisions that remain to be made on the budget. But the state's financial difficulties haven't been any surprise this year and shouldn't require more legislative days to resolve.

Paying $25,000 a day for continued legislative discussion is unacceptable in view of the cuts being sustained by state agencies and programs because of a decline in state revenue. The Legislature should have set an example this year by ending the session early, and saving money. Making that task easier is the fact that the state's regular legislative session already is one of the longest in the region.

Senators got off track on the budget last week when their attention was diverted by reapportionment, according to The Associated Press. Unfortunately, their change of focus was hardly surprising since the way district lines are drawn greatly affect the political future of legislators.

The budget isn't the only legislative matter that still needs attention. The Legislature should finish its work on a predatory lending bill that provides meaningful safeguards for consumers. It also should complete a reform of the Public Service Commission that has been under discussion since last year. In both cases, the Senate has provided the better plan.

It's been a tough year to be a legislator because of lingering budget problems associated with the economy. Some agencies already have endured major cuts, and can expect more. The budget difficulties have been compounded by the task of finding sufficient revenue for Medicaid, in order to retain a maximum level of federal support for the program that provides health care to 800,000 South Carolinians.

But the Legislature will suffer a decline in public confidence if it can't finish up its regular business in a timely manner. It won't get any easier after June 5 to make the tough decisions that a difficult budget year demands.