It's as if the state of Connecticut compressed the last eight years under the Bush administration into five months. At the start of the present federal administration, the nation had a surplus: Now we are facing a spiraling deficit.

So it is here in "The Land of Steady Habits." A surplus predicted in January to be as high as $263 million or more has suddenly evaporated, and we are now facing a possible deficit of $50 million — that's the view of Gov. M. Jodi Rell.

The deficit may grow even larger, given the state's and nation's economy. How could this happen?

Simply, revenues have dropped off as the cost of fuel and food continue to rise out of control and due to delayed payments in federal Medicaid reimbursements.

Prime among these is the governor's much-heralded anti-crime initiative, which included a "three strikes and you're out" provision for career criminals. She has threatened to veto the crime bill, arrived at through compromise in the General Assembly, saying the state can't afford the cost of $10 million. This would be needed to cover the cost of added prosecutors, probation and parole officers. Not even mentioned are additional correction officers and added confinement facilities.

The tough policy was an immediate outcome of a grisly home invasion in Cheshire last year in which three members of one family were murdered and a fourth seriously injured.

Also in danger are new spending for health care, nursing home staffing, and improvements to state parks. The governor has asked lawmakers to establish a list of priorities as the deadline — next Wednesday — to approve a budget approaches. The lawmakers could just walk away from it, leaving the biennial budget passed last session in place, but that's hardly a solution.

Democrats are promoting a tax amnesty program, such as enacted in 2002, allowing delinquents a chance to pay back taxes without penalty, adding a 25 percent break in interest owed. That effort raised $109 million.

Gov. Rell is not opposed to the amnesty and says also she has found $5 million to help cover the deficit.

The Republicans have proposed an early retirement program for state employees as another source of revenue.

Meanwhile, the mayors and first selectmen of the state are pressing for more state aid for full funding of the PILOT program — Payment In Lieu of Taxes — for property not subject to local taxes, such as state facilities.

Once again, the lawmakers and the governor come down to crunch time. Will there be a budget in place when the clock strikes midnight on Wednesday? We certainly hope so but wouldn't bet on it.

On to a special session.