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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Community gathers to mourn slain Seaside officer ... Work expected to begin by summer on Highway 62 bypass ... Josephine County man arrested on drug, child neglect charges ... Community gathers to mourn slain Seaside officer ... Work expected to begin by summer on Highway 62 bypass ... Josephine County man arrested on drug, child neglect charges ... OUR VIEW Our View: Revenue increase should go into the bank Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 11, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Feb. 11, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News A reassuring revenue forecast for this year that also warns of a downturn starting next year should have lawmakers saving for that rainy day, but that's not how the Legislature works. There is no indication majority Democrats plan to do anything but spend the small increase predicted for the remainder of the biennium. The state economist briefed lawmakers Wednesday on the latest figures. The good news is, legislators won't have to adjust for declining state income during the current 35-day session. The other good news is the likelihood that the state will take in $61 million more than last year's Legislature budgeted. The bad news: volatility in the stock market and other external forces are expected to push state tax collections lower starting next year, perhaps reducing revenue for the 2017-2019 budget by $166 million. That will come at the same time that public pension cost increases kick in following the state Supreme Court ruling invalidating reforms to the Public Employees Retirement System. But if you think lawmakers will take that $61 million and stick it in the bank against the downturn in the next cycle, think again. The entire House of Representatives and half the Senate are up for reelection in November. Lawmakers want to continue to boost spending for public schools, housing and other services still recovering from budget cuts during the recession. In a statement on the new forecast, Gov. Kate Brown said, "Although state revenues are on track to fulfill important commitments in education and other critical services, my optimism is tempered by longer-term dynamics in the forecast that call for caution.” Brown vowed to work with legislative leaders to "build reserves for future needs” — but apparently only after fulfilling those commitments. The governor and legislative leaders should recognize that it is more important to build those reserves than to spend every available penny now. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Feb. 11, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501