On Oct. 29, Gov. Martin O'Malley convened a special session of the Maryland General Assembly. Only time will tell whether this was an act of courageous forethought or inexplicable folly. Once the session is convened, no one can control its direction.

The governor's intention in convening the legislature is to present and gain approval of his plan to resolve Maryland's fiscal crisis. This crisis boils down to the fact that the state government is planning to spend about $1.5 billion more in 2009 than it is bringing in from taxes and fees - about $725 per Maryland family.

The governor's plan is politically ambitious,...