OPEGA.

Not a familiar acronym.

It means Office of Program Evaluation and Government Accountability.

This office, which has been enacted with bipartisan legislative support, would provide lawmakers and the public with professional, independent analysis of state programs. It is now in statute, but it can’t operate without money to hire the staff.

The funds for OPEGA’s operation have been promised several times, but have never appeared. Rep. David Trahan, R-Waldoboro, the chief supporter of this initiative, continues to pursue the administration to keep its word on funding this important office.

There is inefficiency and waste among the bureaucracies. OPEGA could sort out a lot of that, as it has done in 44 other states, and Maine taxpayers could begin to get their money’s worth.

As a member of the committee of oversight for the Department of Human Services, it is clear to me that there are savings to be found, but the Democrat-led Legislature has not made this a priority.

The taxpayers of Maine deserve better.

Rep. Thomas F. Shields, Auburn