Rep. Janet Mills pulled a regular movie moment during an Appropriations Committee meeting.

As the committee was considering Gov. Baldacci’s $89 million supplemental budget request late in February, Mills caught sight of a $32,000 line item.

Small potatoes in terms of dollars, but huge in symbolism and a black eye for state budgeteers.

The Department of Agriculture was seeking an “emergency request” for a new forklift and put the price at $32,000. Mills saw the amount, and the wheels started turning.

With some not-so-heavy lifting of her own, Mills went online and found several used forklifts for sale, all for significantly less than $32,000. According to The Associated Press, which first reported the story, Mills found a “mint condition” forklift for $6,000 and a couple of others in need of repair for less than $5,000. Appropriators where quick to recognize the potential for savings, and allocated about $6,000 for the used forklift and a little extra for possible repairs.

All in all, Mills initiative was able to find an extra $30,000 for a program that gives low-income senior citizens fresh produce.

It’s the kind of anecdote that helps erode people’s faith in government, but inspires faith in individual lawmakers. How many other line items are there that could be trimmed without hurting the state’s ability to deliver on promised services?

We take two lessons from the saga of the $32,000 forklift. Individual legislators who take their jobs seriously can make a difference with oversight. And, no matter how much blood is squeezed from the rock of wasteful government, there’s always a little more for someone who’s willing to go looking.