Oregon Public Broadcasting

Within hours of the U-S Senate's passing an economic stimulus bill, criticism has started from Oregon members of the other chamber. 

Congressman David Wu called O-P-B to blast the Senate version of the stimulus. Specificially, Wu says the tax cuts the Senate added come at the expense of Oregon schools. Congressman David Wu: “The Senate made some significant cuts in education, in order to permit larger tax cuts. I think because all the money in this bill is borrowed against the future, it makes sense to do something that not only has effect today to stimulate immediate consumption and immediate jobs, but also to build for tomorrow.”

Leading Republicans have criticized the version passed in the House as containing excessive spending.

Because of budget shortages in the current school year, Oregon school districts are planning to cut days off the teaching calendar, to cancel activities, and to freeze non-essential spending. But many school officials are putting off final decisions until the federal stimulus is signed into law.

The bill next goes to a House-Senate conference committee.