Oregon Public Broadcasting

Oregon lawmakers voted Thursday to avert some budget cuts to schools and state police.

The legislature's budget writing panel used some reserves and a one-time influx of federal money to plug spending holes created by the down economy.

Separately, the Oregon Department of Revenue had predicted last week it would have to lay off 131 workers.

But Democratic House speaker Dave Hunt says lawmakers have asked the agency to draft a plan to avoid that.

Dave Hunt: "We've been very clear with the Department of Revenue that we are not going to lay off staff. As I said, a staff person who costs $5 and brings in $15, it makes absolutely no sense to lay that person off."

Hunt and other legislative leaders said when budget writers meet in December, they'll find money to keep three Oregon prisons open.

Governor Ted Kulongoski ordered across the board budget cuts after the latest revenue forecast showed Oregon's budget is falling by $377 million.