With a state budget at hand -- however flawed -- it's too easy for Sacramento legislators to just flee the Capitol to escape the heat. The real work to fashion true reform to end the state's dysfunctional budgeting process lies ahead.

Gov. Gray Davis says he will name a commission of "eminent and well- qualified individuals with expertise in budgeting and financial matters" on Saturday as part of the budget signing ceremony.

The governor is not tipping his hand as to who might sit on this panel, so there is no clue if the advice will lean pro tax or no tax. Nor are there indications this commission will have any more influence than the countless panels that have come before it.

The governor says, "I know that legislators . . . are now focused . . . on solving the remaining structural deficit." The governor had promised twice earlier this year that he would not approve a budget unless it addressed long- term structural reform, yet the budget contains almost no change. Whether there is really the political will now to end roller-coaster budgeting remains to be seen.

But the onus is on the governor and the Legislature to perform or risk having voters stepping in to do the job. And if you think they are angry now...