Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski has less than a year and a half left in office. He plans to spend that time putting all aspects of state government under a microscope.

This summer, Kulongoski is assembling a special group of advisors who will examine the way the state is run. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

This year, state lawmakers balanced the budget with a combination of new taxes, service cuts, money from savings, and federal stimulus dollars. But they made no sweeping changes to state government.

Democratic Governor Ted Kulongoski has been talking for years about more dramatic action.

Spokeswoman Anna Richter Taylor says nothing will be off the table as he meets with a yet-to-be-selected group of advisors over the coming months.

Anna Richter-Taylor: “He doesn't have a preconceived notion of what's going to come out of this cabinet. The idea is for this cabinet to take a hard look at some really difficult questions and bring innovative, creative approaches to this and then let's have a conversation about that.”

Richter Taylor says the governor is concerned that the state won't be able to count on federal dollars during the next economic crisis.

She says some of the recommendations may be ready in time for a special legislative session planned for February. But some may be left as a possible roadmap for Kulongoski's successor in 2011.