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SUNNY Temp: 86 °F Wind: NNW at 14 mph Tuesday, June 17, 2003 SECTIONS Home Page Local News Sports Business Obituaries Life Opinion - Politics AP News Weather Classified Archives Site Map EXTRA HomeLife Magazine W3 Magazine Jobs @ Mail Tribune Tempo A & E Oregon CarZone Wellness Connection Real Estate Newspaper in Education Prime Times Outdoor Journal Personals Movie Times TV Times E The People CLASSIFIEDS Find a Car Find a Home Find a Job Find Everything E SOUTHERN OREGON Automotive Communities Entertainment Publications Recreation Calendar ABOUT US FAQ What's New Advertise Home Delivery Classified Ad Contact Us Media Kit Email Story to a Friend May 26, 2003 Legislators vow to take action over budget cuts By DON JEPSEN for the Mail Tribune SALEM — The three most powerful members of the Senate have vowed to restore cuts in key education, public safety and social services programs. But they declined to provide any details on how to pay for the restorations. "The (revenue) issue has a way of skewing the dialogue we have to have," said Senate President Peter Courtney, D-Salem, deflecting inquiries at a Friday media briefing. One of the triumvirate, Ways and Means Co-Chairman Kurt Schrader, D-Canby, strayed from the carefully scripted presentation. Advertisement "We have a billion-and-a-half-dollar hole. I don’t see how we can do it (increase spending) without tax reform," he said. Among the recommendations by the Senate leaders were restoring 40 state trooper positions, completing the Lakeview Prison by 2005, keeping all four Oregon Youth Authority facilities open, restoring a full school year for all Oregon children, freezing tuition at Oregon’s public universities for two years and ensuring no one is dropped from the Oregon Health Plan. Courtney, Schrader and Senate President Pro Tem Lenn Hannon, R-Ashland, acknowledged the proposal was theirs alone. Courtney said the task now is to generate legislative and public support before asking for more money. From the governor on down, the message being sent from Salem has been a mixed one. Democrats, particularly in the House, are convinced new taxes are necessary, be it a sales tax or some other revenue-raising measure. House Republicans are adamant that the state can live within existing resources, possibly augmented by some small tax hikes. Gov. Ted Kulongoski has so far thrown cold water on new taxes, except for increases in road taxes to help finance a multi-billion-dollar highway and bridge repair initiative. According to Hannon, the most likely scenario is an increase in beer, wine and cigarette taxes along with caps on or temporary suspension of some tax credits and deductions. A Legislative Revenue Office breakdown of selected tax breaks requested by Hannon showed some $3.878 billion that could be made available to shore up the 2003-05 budget. The key will be the House, controlled by the GOP. So far, Speaker Karen Minnis, R-Wood Village, is betting on savings from PERS reform, recapturing state agency ending balances and savings from unfilled positions to make up the deficit. The May 15 forecast showed another $634 million drop in tax collections from March, although corporate and lottery revenues were up. That leaves the general fund budget at about $10.3 billion — roughly the amount of the 1999-2001 spending level. Printer Friendly Version Email Story to a Friend Subscribe Archive: Click to Search Mail Tribune Home Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life Opinion - Politics | AP News | Archives | Site Map E Southern Oregon | Classified Copyright © 1997-2003 Mail Tribune. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions Website Feedback A D V E R T I S E R S SPECIAL SECTIONS Rogue Valley Auto Finder Rogue Valley Job Finder --> Rogue Valley Home Finder Joy Magazine Homelife Magazine Tempo Real Estate Showcase Food for Thought Hike of the Week Wellness Connection Outdoor Journal Moving to Southern Oregon? Volunteer Openings Prime Times