Oregon Senate Majority Leader Richard Devlin released this statement, in response to the apparently dismal state revenue forecast (which I’ve been unable to locate, but hope to get my hands on very shortly… clearly, based on Devlin’s statement, the news ain’t good).
UPDATE: Here it is. We’re down $762 million from the September 2008 forecast, and that projection had us down $500 million from what’s needed to maintain the current level of services. That’s a $1.3 billion shortfall for the 09-11 budget. AND, the Governor has asked state agencies to cut 1.2 percent of their budgets for the rest of this budget cycle–so out of their next six months of operation, which will make the cut feel a lot bigger. Gulp.
The news of this morning confirms that Oregon has followed the nation into an alarming economic downturn. A budget shortfall of this magnitude will significantly alter the game plan for this upcoming session, but I’m committed to putting the needs of Oregon’s families and people working hard to get ahead first.
Families all over Oregon are sitting down at the kitchen table and making tough decisions about what can and can’t be cut. The legislature is in the same boat. We will have to prioritize and protect the things that are most important to Oregonians.
We have a serious job ahead of us. I have every confidence in my colleagues that we’re ready to get to work and make the tough decisions that will have to be made. The people of Oregon are depending on us and we do not take that charge lightly.
Go go gadget economy!
The Mercury and all news outlets should start reporting dollar increases or decreases in terms of percentage of budget. So “That’s a $1.3 billion shortfall for the 09-11 budget” would conclude with “that’s xx%”. There is a big difference between 1%, 10% and 30%, but no reporting.
OF course it’s bad news – for the state government. The less $$ of mine they waste trying to interfere in our lives the better.
D is correct. The less money the state has the less it has to spend on pesky things like educating our children, building our roads, protecting our environment and providing law enforcement. Thank goodness we’ll no longer have to worry about the most vulnerable people in our state. Sunny days are here again…
Hey, at least we all got to go out and buy some hookers and blow with our kicker checks earlier this year. Money well spent, if you ask me.
Yes, they’re doing a might cracky job of edumacating the kiddies and fixing the roads aren’t they?
Don’t worry though, Teddy will see to it that the excellence continues as your taxes are raised to fund more bloated buraucracies.
Hey R: By my calculations, the $1.3 billion shortfall means a 7.4 percent cut from current levels.