Up to $2.1 million has been freed up to help cash-strapped farmers.

AUGUSTA (AP) – Gov. John Baldacci signed emergency legislation Friday to make more aid available to cash-strapped dairy farmers.

Since last year, the state has extended more than $4 million in dairy industry support, according to Baldacci’s office. The newly signed law makes available up to $2.1 million more.

The House and Senate both enacted the measure overwhelmingly this week. But still echoing were Republican complaints about how Baldacci and his Democratic allies holding House and Senate majorities handled the most recent budget bill.

That budget bill, muscled through over GOP opposition late last month, included language to extend the dairy stabilization subsidy program. But without Republican support, there were not enough votes to put the budget package into effect immediately.

The new bill covering dairy aid alone was enacted separately on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans want Attorney General Steven Rowe to review actions by the Democratic majorities in the course of last month’s enactment of the budget bill.

Specifically, the GOP caucus is still contesting a joint order to deny extra pay for lawmakers who have since reconvened in special session.

The Republicans say they wanted to take money to cover extra pay from the Legislature’s own budget and then use the money to help programs and organizations that might be harmed by reductions in state expenditures.

“This money will be far better used for the pressing needs of our constituents,” Senate Minority Leader Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, said in a statement.

“Aside from that issue, we believe that the parliamentary maneuvering used by the Democrats to block the special session pay was unconstitutional,” Davis said. “If it goes unchecked, who knows what they’ll attempt next.”

The attorney general’s office confirmed Friday that the Republicans’ letter, signed by all 17 members of the GOP Senate caucus, had been received.

The budget bill passed on Jan. 30 was designed to offset a $109 million Medicaid shortfall through June.

Baldacci and Democratic lawmakers rejected a Republican proposal to use $18 million earmarked for Maine’s fledgling Dirigo Health program. Republicans were unhappy with a Democratic proposal for a tax-and-match provision designed to net more federal funding for the state by assessing a new levy on hospitals.

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