Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon schools could close an average of one week early this year.  Budget writers in the Legislature unveiled a plan Wednesday to cut $360 million from this year’s budget.  Salem correspondent Chris Lehman has more.

Lawmakers won’t have to cut as much as originally feared thanks to the federal economic stimulus package.

The new proposal from the co-chairs of the Ways and Means Committee makes use of about $330 million in federal cash.  Still, that means the Legislature has to cut roughly $360 million between now and the end of June.

Education takes the biggest hit, with most school districts having to lop about five days off their calendar this year.

Lawmakers so far are resisting calls from education advocates to tap the state’s reserve funds.

Democratic Representative Peter Buckley says things could get worse. In the meantime, he wants to protect the state’s most vulnerable.

Peter Buckley:  “The cuts that we make do not endanger the life of a child, senior citizen, or a disabled Oregonian.”

After passing these cuts in the coming weeks, lawmakers hope to start work on the next two year budget.