San Joaquin to Sacramento: Get on with it!

Counties are getting anxious about the state's finances. No wonder — anticipated delays in payments could cost San Joaquin County $12.7 million. Just for one month.

That money goes toward programs like MediCal, Calworks, mental health care and funding San Joaquin General Hospital.

Note that these institutions disproportionately help the county's lower-income residents, the very same residents hit hardest by the slumping economy in the first place.

It's a double-whammy, and the Legislature is letting the second half of it happen.

So cheers for the San Joaquin County Board of Supervisors, who voted 5-0 on Tuesday to sue the state if payments are deferred. (Sacramento County and possibly San Diego County plan on joining the possible suit.)

Of course, litigation could be avoided if a budget is passed before Friday. Though I'm not holding my breath.