Larry the Cable Guy probably isn’t quoted very often on editorial pages, but the comedian’s stock phrase — Git-R-Done — fits the task ahead for members of the Mississippi Legislature.

What is supposed to be a 90-day session started Tuesday. Last year’s session also was supposed to be three months — but was extended to six. This is an instance where past must not become prologue.

Only unreasonable voters expect lawmakers to be miracle-workers. Most expect them to deal with the state’s business in an open, direct and realistic manner and then go home.

The picture, as painted by the Rockefeller Institute, is clear. Tax collections by states nationwide declined by 10.9 percent during the third quarter of 2009, the third consecutive quarter during which tax revenues fell by double-digit percentages. Overall, 48 states saw tax collections fall during the third quarter of 2009, with 22 states experiencing a double-digit percentage decline. During the previous quarter, 36 states saw a double-digit decline.

It’s not hard to figure out why this has happened. Taxes are based on employment and commerce. When there’s a reduction in employment and a slackening in commerce, there’s a corresponding reduction in any government’s slice of the economic pie.

Some states are much worse off than Mississippi. Some states haven’t been hit as hard.

The numbers, however, are real.

There was some justification for the extended session in 2009, given that the Obama administration’s $787 billion stimulus plan wasn’t passed until February and no one had any idea what Mississippi could expect from that record-shattering legislation. That’s not the case this year. Lawmakers might not like dealing with the mounting shortfalls this year or having less money to allocate in the next spending plan, which goes into effect July 1. Delay, however, is inexcusable.

The Constitution gives lawmakers 90 days to craft a budget in flush years. The Constitution gives lawmakers 90 days to craft a budget in lean years.

Git-R-Done.