Incompetence has a funny way of changing expectations.

Remember a few years ago, when the state Legislature ended a 20-year streak of futility in passing on-time budgets? When they achieved this feat, you would have thought the lawmakers had just brokered Middle East peace with the way they congratulated themselves. Ultimately, though, all they did was meet their constitutional obligations to pass a spending plan by April 1.

Now we have this year's budget season, in which it looks like an on-time deal can happen. This is a budget that will carry a spending increase of 4.5 percent, less than what former Gov. Eliot Spitzer had proposed and roughly in line with the 4.7 percent average for state budgets nationwide.

By Albany standards, this is an amazing display of fiscal restraint. New York has rarely been close to the national average for budget increases, and the Legislature almost always adds spending rather that make cuts to the governor's proposal.

Many leaders at the Capitol are quick to praise new Gov. David Paterson for leading the way.

“He's rising to the occasion,” said Senate Republican leader Joseph Bruno. “Many times, the job makes the person. Look at Harry Truman. He became one of our best presidents.”

“This is a Herculean effort by the governor,” said Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, also a Republican. “I think we've done something close to a miracle.”

While the bipartisan goodwill is nice to see, aren't these comments just a bit out of touch with reality.

This is still a budget that outspends inflation, and it will be packed with all kinds of hidden fees and sales taxes.

Certainly what the Legislature and governor are accomplishing is an improvement over the past, but let's hope they see more opportunities to things even better.