Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon’s National Guard Armories would stay open under a legislative spending plan that’s received initial approval.  Some armories were slated to close.  Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

The Oregon Military Department operates 52 armories around the state.  The facilities provide training for National Guard members and support for families of citizen soldiers stationed overseas.

Legislative budget writers had proposed closing four armories as part of an effort to fill a four billion dollar budget gap.

Captain Stephen Bomar of the Military Department says the latest spending proposal to clear a budget subcommittee spares the armories.

Captain Stephen Bomar:  “That’s due largely in part to the communities talking to their legislators being able to get that passed.”

House budget writer Representative Peter Buckley said public input wasn’t the biggest reason the armories survived the budget axe.

He says lower than expected debt payments in the military department budget gave lawmakers some wiggle room.  But the agency does expect some administrative layoffs.

Online:

Oregon Military Department