Pennsylvanians have grounds for pessimism about the special legislative session beginning May 4 dealing with the $470 million deficit in the state's transportation budget.

With Democrats and Republicans generally failing to agree on much of anything significant, it's hard to fathom how any quick agreement can emerge from the special session that's been called by Gov. Ed Rendell.

State residents shouldn't be surprised if the session turns into a blame game rather than staying focused on the task of finding the needed money.

However, plenty of blame is justified, not only directed toward Rendell but also to the General Assembly.

It was Rendell who counted on the Interstate 80 tolling proposal getting federal approval, thus enabling the state to avoid the funding crisis currently at hand. Instead, the feds rejected the tolling plan.

Meanwhile, it was the General Assembly that failed to have contingency plans officially on the table if the tolling idea wasn't given the green light. That would have been the prudent thing to do, since most people knew the I-80 tolling plan was a long shot.

With that foundation in place, it's hard to be optimistic about the road-funding special session being more than a public relations or political "performance." Anyone who follows the workings of the Legislature with any regularity realizes that it is the House and Senate leadership that calls most of the shots and that any substantive decision dealing with the road funding crisis is likely to come from behind the leadership's closed doors.

Apparently the only significant road-funding idea emanating from the Butler County state legislative delegation so far has come from Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12th, who is seeking re-election to his House seat but also is seeking the GOP nod for lieutenant governor in the May 18 primary election.

Metcalfe has suggested a reduction of up to 10 percent in state welfare spending, which would amount to more than $400 million, although he acknowledges Rendell is unlikely to take the idea seriously.

As for the other members of this county's delegation, time will tell what they have to say, although Sen. Mary Jo White, R-21st, told the Butler Eagle that she doesn't know much about the transportation budget shortfall. By now, she and other lawmakers across the commonwealth should have the necessary understanding regarding the issue and already be prepared to offer input next week, if not a fully thought-out plan.

The I-80 tolling issue, along with its financial implications, is not new.

State Rep. Dick Stevenson, R-8th, while agreeing with Metcalfe that Rendell's decision to count on I-80 toll revenue was shortsighted, commended Rendell for his decision to convene the special session.

That said, he should urge his colleagues on the GOP side of the legislative isle to work with Rendell and Democratic lawmakers to make the upcoming special session productive. It would be unfortunate if the session became simply another example of rigid partisanship, with neither side willing to compromise.

But considering the way Harrisburg works, such a result would not be a surprise.

To its credit, the House Republican Policy Committee was holding hearings this week to brainstorm ideas for fixing the problem. A member of that committee said Republicans want to have a full slate of ideas going into the May 4 session.

That's commendable, and Demo-crats should be open to listening to what Republicans suggest and be open-minded about agreeing to at least some of the GOP's ideas. Democrats were responsible for the passage of Act 44, the I-80 tolling measure, whose transportation funding impact has been nullified by the federal decision.

While it's important to acknowledge that the funding shortfall is not being ignored leading up to the special session, it also seems safe to say that a solution to the problem is not close at hand.

But this is a legislative and gubernatorial election year. Therefore, this would be a good time for Democratic and Republican lawmakers and the governor to show they can work together to produce an acceptable road-funding solution.

Don't bet on that happening, however.