Mitchell: ‘It’s the timing’

The Senate went back in at 7:30 p.m. and Republicans are holding onto the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability with dear life.

Republicans and Democrats are exchanging sharp exchanges over the office and the role the cuts play in the budget process. Listen in here.

Senate Majority Leader Libby Mitchell, D-Vassalboro, said legislative leaders have promised to allow in an after budget bill to restore the OPEGA cuts. Right now, the Legislature just needs to report a budget out to avoid a curtailment order.

“It’s the timing,” Mitchell said on the Senate floor. “We’re faced with a midnight deadline, there’s just too much at stake here.”

That didn’t satisfy the Republicans.

Senate Minority Leader Carol Weston, R-Montville, again criticized the Appropriations Committee for putting the OPEGA cuts in at 11:15 at night. Why is it now the issue holding up the budget?

“Now is the time to save it,” she said on the floor.

More on the debate later.