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AUGUSTA, Maine — State employees urged lawmakers Monday to revisit a cost-cutting provision in the governor’s budget that would require many state workers to pay a portion of their health insurance premiums.

The first day of public hearings on Gov. John Baldacci’s proposed $6.1 billion biennial budget was largely mundane as administration officials walked legislators through cost-saving proposals in about a half-dozen state agencies.

Faced with an estimated $838 million revenue shortfall, the Baldacci administration has outlined plans to eliminate more than 200 positions and reduce spending throughout state government during the two-year budget that begins in July.

The most lively discussion came late Monday when state employees got the chance to weigh in on a proposal to require government workers who earn $50,000 a year or more to chip in 5 percent of the cost of their health insurance premiums.