The House, which has been in session since shortly after 9 a.m., is shooting down amendments left and right.

However, it did support an amendment to reduce the proposed cuts to the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability. The original proposal in the Democratic budget called for reducing the office staff from seven to two, and cutting funding by $1.2 million.

The amendment reduces staff from seven to four. It requires the office and legislators to develop performance standards by which the office could be judged.

Other efforts to restore full funding to the office failed.

One of the most hotly contested amendments was offered by Rep. Anne Rand, D-Portland. Her amendment sought to restore full funding to mental health and mental retardation services, and to the Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability.

She proposed to pay for it by taking about $7 million out of the Business Equipment Tax Reimbursement fund.

Rep. Marilyn Canavan, D-Waterville, said she cannot go along with budget cuts that target the mentally ill and mentally retarded. And she supports OPEGA, the government watchdog office.

"I know I compromise principle when I get an uncomfortable feeling in my gut that won’t go away,”she said on the floor of the House. “A little voice inside is saying ‘you know you’ve done wrong, woman.’”

Rep. Andrea Boland, D-Sanford, said she is trying to “defend OPEGA from its dismemberment.”

The amendment failed 91-42.

Another amendment that would have fully restored OPEGA to its original strength failed 72-68.

House debate is ongoing. The Senate is tentatively scheduled to come in at 6 p.m. to take up the budget.