AUGUSTA (AP) – Democratic and Republican lawmakers still maintain a semblance of civility while maneuvering for advantage in the state budget talks but their allies at party headquarters pay little heed to such niceties.

Majority party lawmakers shrugged off a GOP proposal for a go-slow approach, saying decision time was at hand.

Democratic Party Chairman Pat Colwell was more pointed.

“It is fundamentally immoral to keep school districts and towns waiting for their operating budgets,” Colwell said in a statement.

GOP Chairman Randy Bump said, “Calling for a vote as early as next Tuesday is irresponsible. With every passing day more and more Mainers are becoming alarmed by the governor’s shortsighted proposals.”

“Towns and schools districts are voting on their budgets now, but Republicans want to hold up the process. There’s no need to delay balancing this budget through a continuing resolution. Democrats in the Legislature are ready to roll up their sleeves, get the job done, and continue on with the states business.”

If that suggested that Republicans weren’t serious in seeking a more deliberate budget review, hear GOP Chairman Randy Bumps.

“With growing bipartisan dissatisfaction over some of the Governor’s most flawed proposals, it has become increasingly clear that this budget will never earn broad-based support in the Legislature. That should send a clear signal to Democrat leaders that a vote on this budget is premature,” Bumps said in a statement of his own.

“Calling for a vote as early as next Tuesday is irresponsible. With every passing day more and more Mainers are becoming alarmed by the governor’s shortsighted proposals which are nothing more than gimmicks to balance the budget on paper,” Bumps said.

For now, it appears the Appropriations Committee will be working through the weekend toward making final choices on spending for the next two years.

Bumps insisted Republicans would put more time to wise use.

“Instead of rushing to a vote, Maine Republicans are presently working on budget alternatives which will reduce state spending, recommend reasonable bonding levels to reduce future debt, further our important commitments to health care, education and the elderly and propose additional tax relief for weary Maine taxpayers,” he said.

Colwell derided the GOP’s posture as posturing.

“Republicans are more concerned with obstructing a good budget than they are with working out a sensible solution in a timely manner,” Colwell said.

AP-ES-03-09-05 1710EST