AUGUSTA (AP) – Republican lawmakers are pressing their call for a special legislative session to transfer $10 million in surplus funds to Maine’s Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

GOP leaders at the State House have urged Democrats and the Legislature’s two independents to back emergency legislation allowing lawmakers to work during a special session without salary and expenses.

The costs of a special session have been pegged at about $40,000 a day, with legislators receiving $170 or so per day.

Democratic Gov. John Baldacci has said calling lawmakers back to Augusta is possible but not a certainty.

Ranking Democrats in the House and Senate have been noncommittal as an administration review continues.

AP-ES-08-14-08 1216EDT