The state seems ready to take a crucial first step toward easing the burden of furloughs on Hawai'i public school students, and any glimmerings of such an accord in the current divisive political arena are welcome.

It's only a first step, of course. The hard work comes during the long trek ahead, as the state struggles to find ways to cover its most critical needs in an era of shrinking tax coffers.

Gov. Linda Lingle sent a signal on Sunday that she'd support the use of $50 million from the state's "rainy day" fund to cover costs of reopening schools on some of the planned furlough days. Initial reactions from legislative leaders and union officials are positive: An agreement to reopen the teachers' contract and revise the school schedule seems within reach.

This would make convening a special session to formalize the plan worthwhile: The investment likely will pay off in an improved academic program for the children. It also could enhance Hawai'i's chances to secure additional dollars through the federal "Race to the Top" competitive grants program. That's less of a sure thing, but leaving the shortened school year as it is will count heavily against the state's bid. U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan made that point crystal clear last week in his public statements of dismay with Hawai'i education cuts.

But the tough work comes later, during the regular session. That's when legislators and the Lingle administration must put aside partisan battles to craft efficiency and revenue-producing plans for the coming years.

Tapping the rainy day fund for a one-time purpose will not solve the essential problem of too many demands that need to be met, and not enough money to meet them. An informational briefing on Monday, concerning cuts to the Healthy Start child abuse prevention program, as well as to other human services and health initiatives, highlighted these larger budgetary concerns.

The bottom line is that many social service agencies were hoping for some relief by tapping the fund, and a plan to restore the most essential among their state services will be needed.

That is the pressing job that lawmakers face, which makes the work of their "reinventing government" task force so important. It must identify the top priority tasks of government — health, public safety, education and the state's economic future among them. And it must yield a plan that delivers on those bedrock goals.