State leaders could save around $100 million in the current state budget simply by delaying for one year a tax break on Social Security income.

The tax break for retirees is supposed to kick in during tax year 2008. That means most of the eligible Social Security recipients would save money when filing their 2008 taxes in early 2009.

Delaying this tax break a year -- so that it first applies to 2009 taxes, which are paid in 2010 -- could make a big dent in the state's $500 million budget shortfall.

But the delay will never happen. State leaders fear the wrath of older voters more than just about anything. They wouldn't dare single out a group that consistently shows up in droves at the polls.

Still, it's not as if the state would be taking back something that's already been given. Those eligible for the Social Security tax break would simply have to wait a year longer to get what they don't yet tangibly have.

Given the state's serious money problems, I suspect a lot of older people would go along with the delay -- but only on one big condition. The state would have to delay new spending programs and tax breaks for pretty much everyone else.

That could mean, for example, delaying $3 million in start-up grants for 4-year-old kindergarten programs next year.

That could mean delaying the start of $12 million in tax breaks for employees like me who contribute to their company-provided health insurance.

I strongly believe Wisconsin needs to encourage renewable energy. But maybe the $15 million in state grants should wait until the state can afford them.

My point here is not to pick on any one group or priority. God bless those living on fixed incomes who rely on Social Security for most or all of their money.

My point is that state leaders, faced with a difficult budget hole earlier this year, said they were going to look first at delaying the start or expansion of new programs to balance the latest budget gap.

That made a lot of sense.

But it's not what they appear to be doing several months later.

The budget "fix" that lawmakers are close to finalizing appears to be more of the same bad financial moves they relied on in the past.

State leaders are going on another borrowing binge. They're reaching again for the credit card, rather than delaying new expenses and trying to keep what income the state already has.

Don't worry, older folks. You'll get your Social Security tax break without delay. And I'll probably get my tax deduction on health insurance next year. Maybe I'll even get 4-year-old kindergarten for my youngest daughter here in Madison.

But eventually, we're all going to pay more in the long run because the state is not paying upfront for what it's doling out now.

Milfred is editorial page editor for the State Journal; smilfred@madison.com or 608-252-6110.