One state legislator, speaking in all seriousness, told the Sun Journal that without an aggressive state response to a predicted heating oil crisis this winter, she was afraid Mainers would die.

They will be faced with the stark choice of medicine, heat or food, with no right answer.

Gov. Baldacci and leaders in the Legislature decided Thursday not to call a special session, but will make heating assistance a priority issue when the Legislature meets in January.

Given that leaders in both political parties have agreed to work for emergency passage of more funds and there seems to be agreement that the state must step in to ease an expected shortfall in federal heating assistance money, we don’t understand the delay.

As we’ve said before, the costs of a special session are quickly offset by administrative savings from combining federal and state aid in a single check and the increased buying power of getting aid money to recipients early, before prices traditionally start going up in January and February.

The one possible upside to waiting is that it gives Maine’s congressional delegation more time to work for more federal funding. Perhaps the delay on the state’s part will pay off, but it seems like a big gamble – and the people who could lose are the ones who need help the most.