AUGUSTA -- The House will be the chamber to watch this week as leadership in both parties count noses in advance of votes on the budget.

The emergency legislation to close a $120 million immediate shortfall at the Department of Health and Human Services needs 101 votes in the House and 24 in the Senate for passage. Those in the know say the Senate will deliver.

The House is where things are less certain.

Conservatives such as Rep. Paul Davis, R-Sangerville, have heartburn over the continuation of a tax on paid insurance claims that supports Dirigo Health. The tax was supposed to be gradually reduced, but the Appropriations Committee froze the assessment at its current level because it needed the money. Also, Davis said, the committee didn't go far enough to reduce the number of people on MaineCare, particularly the childless adults.

Davis said he'll make up his mind on how to vote after a Republican caucus scheduled for later today. That will be a key meeting to show whether the majority party can deliver enough votes -- probably right around 70 -- to get it passed. The GOP has 77 Republican House members, but at least one is expected to be absent due to illness.

Democrats are assuming they'll have to deliver at least 30 votes in support, out of their 72 members. It's important to note Democrats are not thrilled with the budget, either, because it does call for 14,000 parents to lose their health insurance Oct. 1 and for the insurance for childless adults to be phased out over time.