Document text
Kitzhaber: More for kids, less for police Budget plan goes in right direction, say local legislators, educators By Dani Dodge SALEM � Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber proposed a $12 billion state budget Friday that would increase funding to education, children�s programs and rural communities, but would cut state police and some programs for seniors. "These choi-ces and cuts have very real consequences," Kitz-haber said, adding that without changing priorities to ensure that kids succeed, costs for social services and crime will continue to spiral upward. "For every dollar you spend on this type of program, you save more than $4 on downstream costs," Kitzhaber said. Local legislators and educators supported the governor�s direction, while expressing concern about the impact on seniors and police services. "It�s important that we recognize that education to our children and early intervention is important," said Cherryl Walker, a newly elected House Republican representing parts of Jackson and Josephine counties. "It�s cheaper to pay for prevention measures in the beginning than to pay for the problems later." The governor�s proposed 2001-2003 budget will go to the Legislature, which begins meeting in January. The budget includes increases to grade schools and early intervention programs, and a $45 million boost to community colleges. But it eliminates 157 state police patrol positions � nearly one-fifth of the total. Many of those positions have been approved but not filled, including three in Jackson County. Kitzhaber�s budget does away with Oregon Project Independence, which helps seniors stay in their homes by providing support services. More than 300 Jackson County seniors use the program. It maintains the Oregon Health Plan at its current service level with a 20 percent budget increase, and revamps the way drugs are prescribed by physicians to control costs. Republican legislative leaders called Kitzhaber�s budget a good start. "Education is our first priority," said incoming Senate President Gene Derfler, R-Salem. "We will have some serious discussions, but I think we will try very hard to work cooperatively." The budget will be one of the first in years where some cuts are required. Kitzhaber said there is a $700 million difference between the cost of continuing current services and state revenues. The shortfall is a result of inflation, lawsuits, a tax cut from voter-approved Measure 88, a reduction in federal matching dollars and a 60 percent increase in the cost of providing prescription drugs to people on the Oregon Health Plan. But Kitzhaber said a tax increase is not necessary. "This is a good budget," he said. "We haven�t solved all the problems, but we�ve moved forward." Kitzhaber�s budget increases state aid to schools from $4.8 billion to $5.2 billion, including $220 million to ensure that 90 percent of third- and fifth-graders meet or exceed state reading benchmarks within four years. Fifty-seven percent of the state general fund budget goes to education. Although Medford School Superintendent Steve Wisely said he�ll wait to see the actual school-by-school allocations before he celebrates the budget, he liked the governor�s emphasis on kids. "The governor has always been a leader in trying to provide good quality education," Wisely said. "And the budget proposal is a continuation of that commitment as well as a plan to hold schools accountable." The budget also attempts to help rural communities by putting $196 million into lottery-backed bonds for sewer and water system infrastructure, and another $35 million in lottery-backed bonds to rehabilitate downtowns, enhance sidewalks, encourage mixed-used development and preserve historical sites. Another $20 million is included to help counties with community development and $3.5 million to fund the Community Solutions Network. Kitzhaber said he sought the rural investments to ensure that all of Oregon benefits from the state�s prosperity. Rural legislators said they were pleased with that emphasis. "The preliminary look is it�s very good for rural communities," said David Nelson, R-Pendleton, the soon-to-be Senate majority leader. And Rick Levine, the president of Rogue Community College, was delighted by news that there may be funding to help with the astounding increases in enrollment at RCC. "We�ve doubled our size in three years," he said. "Programs are at capacity ... and there�s still a pent-up demand." But the good news couldn�t come without some bad. Between 300 and 400 seniors in Jackson County use Oregon Project Independence, which Kitzhaber would close. Rob Patridge, a Republican House member from Medford, said he hopes that the funding for the program can be restored through the budget cycle. "I don�t see a long-term plan to care for our seniors," he said. "We�re hurting people who are the most fragile, yet are the biggest contributors to our society." Don Bruland, the director of senior and disability services for the Rogue Valley Council of Governments, said he believes closing the program will end up costing the state more as those people are forced into other state and federal programs and into foster homes. "I believe in investments in children," Bruland said. "But part of the education we should be giving our children should include compassion." The cuts in OSP would mean that Jackson County would not get three additional officers that were expected two years ago when the Legislature increased funding to add 100 officers. Kitzhaber�s cuts eliminates 17 percent of OSP officers. OSP Lt. Gregg Hastings said the agency may have to close some specialty programs, such as membership in interagency drug task forces, but they hope to absorb the cuts without layoffs through attrition and by not making new hires. Budget highlights The Associated Press Highlights of Gov. John Kitzhaber�s proposed two-year, $12 billion general fund-lottery budget: Increases state aid to local schools from $4.8 billion to $5.2 billion. Earmarks $220 million of school aid for bringing all kindergarten through fifth-grade students up to state reading standards. Gives community colleges $45 million more, for a total of $474 million, to deal with enrollment increases. Allocates $20 million to the university system to improve engineering programs. Provides $7 million to expand access to four-year college degree programs through a branch campus in Bend. Increases funding by 20 percent for the Oregon Health Plan for low-income people, which is costing the state $700 million in the current budget. Creates a $254 million economic development package, most of it in lottery-backed bonds, to help rural areas attract new business. Increases by $8 million spending on salmon habitat restoration. Establishes a $66 million Oregon Children�s Plan, with $28 million in new money and the rest from other programs, to fund voluntary screening of all first-born children for potential medical and social problems. Eliminates 157 state police positions, many authorized but not filled, for a 17 percent reduction. Drops funding for 150 juvenile detention beds. Postpones operation of a new prison work camp at Lakeview. Reach reporter Dani Dodge at 776-4471, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.