AUGUSTA (AP) – Setting the stage for a full legislative debate and finding themselves with surpluses on hand, budget negotiators met Tuesday for a final review of their split verdict on how to cover a $190 million shortfall.

The partisan divide appeared irrevocable, but no one said so flat out.

“I think the differences are pretty stark,” said Rep. Jeremy Fischer, D-Presque Isle, the House chairman of the Appropriations Committee. “That’s why I don’t think it’s worth it to bang our heads against the wall anymore.”

Sen. Karl Turner, R-Cumberland, a ranking member of the GOP committee minority, characterized Tuesday’s review as largely routine while declining to rule out a recoupling of the dissenting parties.

“One never knows,” he said.

A legislative staff analysis showed that in revising Democratic Gov. John Baldacci’s original plan for covering the $190 million revenue gap in the state’s $6.3 billion biennial budget, Democrats had crafted a package with $1.8 million left over while the Republican plan left a balance of $3.5 million.

Tentative plans call for rank-and-file lawmakers in the House of Representatives to be given at least part of the day Wednesday to file amendments with floor debate possibly beginning Wednesday evening.

Short of winning two-thirds majorities in both the House and Senate, which would allow program reductions to take effect right away, lawmakers have to act by March 31 to ensure a revised state spending plan is in place by June 30 – the last day of the current fiscal year.

Democrats hold 90 seats in the 151-seat House. Republicans have 59 and there are two House independents. In the Senate, Democrats hold an 18-17 edge over Republicans.

As headed to the full Legislature, both plans include a $34.1 million reduction in state aid to local schools advanced by the governor.

Neither relies on broad-based tax increases, which Baldacci did without in his original package. Similarly, neither would tap so-called Rainy Day reserves.

Democrats have focused on what they say was Republican unwillingness to maintain health care coverage for some 22,000 Mainers, some who are the parents of children in the federally supported State Children’s Health Insurance Program and others who are childless adults within certain income guidelines.

Republicans turned down a Democratic plan to raise about $9 million through the expedited sale of unclaimed property.

Fischer said Tuesday details could be revised further when the full legislative debate begins.

“You know how things change on the floor,” he said.

The two parties scheduled caucus meetings later Tuesday for rank-and-file members to receive briefings.

AP-ES-03-25-08 1640EDT