Gov. Baldacci will deliver his State of the State address at 7 tonight. It’s an opportunity to crow about accomplishments, set the stage for passing a two-year budget, outline the agenda for the coming year and pitch a few big ideas.

We expect plenty of good-feeling talk about bipartisanship and tax relief. The Legislature last week passed L.D. 1, a slightly modified version of the governor’s plan to increase state funding for education and provide property tax relief. It was a tough slog, but Republicans and Democrats were able to work together and pass a reasonable plan. The applause and backslapping that likely will take place tonight have been earned.

On the big-idea front, the governor will likely talk about a new package of bonds that would be used to fund conservation, expand research and development, and provide a needed investment in the state’s infrastructure.

Last year, a divided Legislature could not muster the two-thirds support necessary to send a bond package to voters for ratification. Election-year politics and partisan anger over the budget killed any chances then. The ugliness should be in the past, and lawmakers should be able to agree on an aggressive plan to invest in the state and help it grow economically.

Expect the governor to advocate for his budget and to defend some of the more controversial aspects of his plans, including selling future lottery proceeds to raise $250 million immediately, allowing Sunday hunting and making seat belt laws tougher.

Baldacci should also take the opportunity to answer concerns about the slow start of Dirigo Choice. This health-care plan, which is meant to expand insurance coverage and control medical costs in Maine, fell below expectations with its initial enrollment. Only about 1,800 people signed up for the plan that has a target of 31,000 participants by the end of the year. In his speech, the governor has the opportunity to defend the plan and make a statewide sales pitch at the same time.

He should also address how the state can adjust for cuts in Medicaid funding from the federal government without jeopardizing the services low-income residents depend upon.

The State of the State is an opportunity for the governor to climb the rhetorical mountain, assess what’s been accomplished and identify what still needs to be done. It’s a tall order for one speech, but that’s the task at hand.