Oregon Public Broadcasting

A day after lawmakers in Salem and Washington, D-C approved spending to create jobs, social service advocates made their case at the Oregon Capitol.

Wearing hard hats and holding shovels, they argued that investing in human services - like health care - also spurs the economy.

Cathy Kaufman is with Children First for Oregon.

Cathy Kaufman:  “We can’t fund infrastructure, but completely de-fund human services because all the jobs we gain by building bridges and repairing roads, we will lose by cutting off human services. So we’ll lose jobs, and we’ll also hurt vulnerable people, when they need that help, most of all.”  

Advocates warn that  the governor’s proposed budget could mean a billion dollar loss to social services -- once you account for federal matching funds that wouldn't be arriving.

The governor's office says that his proposed budget actually increases human service funding. But the figure doesn't keep up with rising costs and demand.