That’s the question legislators are waiting to have answered. Although they thought they would find out last night how much money the state Board of Economic Advisors expects to take in for the next budget year, they will have to put their salivating on hold for a few days more.

The board decided Wednesday to wait until Monday before discussing its budget forecast.

Board Chairman John Rainey says there does not appear to be any reason to lower revenue estimates House budget writers are using.

But Governor Mark Sanford wrote to the board’s chief economist last week, warning that he expects a long, deep recession. [AP]

For the General Assembly, this announcement is a lot like when a farmer walks into a pig pen with a bag of feed. In fact, I’m surprised they aren’t all running around the Statehouse snorting and climbing all over each other biting at the board’s heals. If they put off the announcement for too long, there’s no doubt some of the swine will become man-eaters.