Oregon Public Broadcasting

With projections showing a $530 million state budget shortfall, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski said Tuesday that he’d prioritize children, energy, and transportation. Rob Manning reports.

In remarks following a visit to a Portland grade school, Kulongoski defended funding education from pre-kindergarten through college.

Kulongoski said he would accomplish his goal of guaranteeing health insurance for every child in Oregon. And, the governor said he would continue to press for significant money for energy and transportation.

Ted Kulongoski: “I am going to continue our move toward renewable energy in this state. The transportation issues in this state are still a top priority. We can do these. But there will be things left on the floor when this is all over."

Governor Kulongoski predicts that the shrinking budget will be a continuing story. He says he’s expecting fewer dollars in the next three budget forecasts, over the next eight months.

The governor declined to say what cuts he would support.