Oregon Governor Enacts Across-The-Board Budget Cuts

By Chris Lehman | May 25, 2010 2:03 p.m. | Updated: June 16, 2010 11:56 p.m. | Salem, OR

State agencies in Oregon are preparing to make across-the-board reductions to their budgets of about nine percent. Democratic Governor Ted Kulongoski directed that drastic step Tuesday after a new revenue forecast predicts the state will come up more than a half-billion dollars short in the current budget cycle.

Kulongoski doesn't have the authority to make targeted cuts. So he says he's left with an unpleasant alternative.Ted Kulongoski:  "I do not like the option of across the board cuts. I have always maintained that government services are not of equal valueóthat a governor should be able to make more targeted cuts in one area to prevent greater harm in another."

Kulongoski could call the legislature into special session to make more targeted cuts. He says he has no plans to do so.

Democratic House and Senate leaders said Tuesday they agree with the governor's choice.

Senate Republican leader Ted Ferrioli was sharply critical, saying that a special session would be the responsible course of action. 

The drop in revenue is due to lower than expected income tax collections for 2009.

© 2010 Northwest News Network

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