Put up time?

It's nearing the time for Nevada's legislative Democrats to finally "put up."

For more than a year, they have attacked Gov. Jim Gibbons for his response to the state budget crunch, criticizing virtually every proposal he has put forth to deal with the realities of a deep economic recession.

But with the exception of a few lone voices, they have offered no real alternatives, no real mechanism for paying for the hundreds of programs they deem essential.

The fact is, it will take massive tax hikes to fund the spending state Democrats covet. But with redistricting on the horizon and a chance to pick up the governor's seat next year, legislative Democrats -- with majorities in both houses -- tremble at the political consequences of taking such a stand, preferring instead to hammer away at an unpopular governor.

But that may soon change.

On Monday, Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, said she and other Democratic leaders would reveal their budget "plan" on Friday.

That's more than two months into the session and almost two years since it has been apparent that lagging state revenues would make traditional state government growth unsustainable.

We eagerly anticipate Ms. Buckley's long-awaited announcement. It will no doubt be as revealing and instructive as it is jaw-dropping.