Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski wants the state to hit the reset button. The Democrat is planning to unveil a series of recommendations to restructure state government at a speech in Portland Friday. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman has a preview.

Kulongoski says state government needs to re-prioritize its services in light of serious, ongoing budget shortfalls.

Last year he created what he calls a "Reset Cabinet" to come up with options for overhauling the way state government operates. That could include anything from changing criminal sentencing guidelines to reducing state employee benefits.

Brian Sigritz of the National Association of State Budget Officers says don't expect immediate changes in how Oregon's government works.

Brian Sigritz: "Often times after these commissions or committees come out with recommendations, they then have to go to the legislature, or they have to get approval from various different parties and everything. So it's not a simple matter."

It's possible that some of Kulongoski's suggestions would also require voter approval.

Kulongoski is nearing the end of his second term, so most major changes would likely not happen under his watch.On the web:Governor Ted Kulongoski's Reset Cabinet