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Poll: Legislators have little chance to fix budget mess A staggering number of Internet users has little or no faith that the Oregon Legislature will pull the state out of its lingering financial crunch, a Tidings poll shows. The state unveiled a revenue forecast May 15 predicting Oregon will be hundreds of millions of dollars in the hole for the approaching biennium, due to drooping tax collections. In above-average voting, 310 people logged on to www.dailytidings.com this week to answer the question, "The state's revenue outlook for the 2003-05 biennium has fallen by as much as $690 million, due in large part to a flailing economy. How much confidence do you have in the Legislature to find a solution to the funding emergency?" Two hundred-eighteen people or 70 percent, the largest vote-getter, said they had "no confidence at all" in Capitol lawmakers, while the next-largest group, 58 people or 19 percent, said they were "somewhat skeptical." Twenty people or 6 percent were "uncertain" and 5 people or 2 percent were "somewhat confident." Only 9 people or 3 percent said they were "highly confident." This week's poll question, posted Saturday, is: "What should the top priority of Ashland's next police chief be?" The Tidings weekly poll question is an unscientific measurement of public opinion and only reflects the views of those who choose to participate. Its sole purpose is to provide greater public input on a variety of issues. LINKS: DAILY TIDINGS: Main | News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Opinion | Columnists | AP News | Subscribe | Archives | Weather | Classifieds | Contact Us | Privacy REVELS: Main | Calendar | Dining | Movies | T.V. OTHER: Road Cams Copyright 2003 Ashland Daily Tidings 541.482.3456. 1661 Siskiyou Blvd., Ashland, OR 97520. Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. - Advertisers -