AUGUSTA -- Veteran lawmakers on the Maine Legislature's Appropriations Committee say they see their challenge to balance a state budget facing a $140 million shortfall as an opportunity.

They made the remarks Monday as the committee began work on revisions to the budget for the present fiscal year, which ends June 30.

The package advanced last month by Gov. John Baldacci would eliminate 94 positions, including 40 layoffs, mostly in the Corrections Department.

Democratic Rep. John Martin of Eagle Lake and Republican Rep. Sawin Millet of Waterford both see the work ahead as an opportunity. Millet says revisions in the present budget could strongly influence those to be made in the next two-year budget, which faces a shortfall of more than $800 million.

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The Legislature's Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee is meeting at the Statehouse today to consider cuts designed to close a $140 million gap in the state budget.

Today, the committee will review changes to the Department of Transportation, Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Corrections.

Hearings are scheduled to last through Wednesday. Legislative leaders hope the full Legislature will approve a package to close the budget gap by Feb. 1.