Document text
Highlights of the budget Highlights and potential effects of the 1999-2001 general-fund budget as Republican legislative leaders propose: Aid to public schools: $4.725 billion, which may leave Medford schools $2.6 million short of what they say they need to maintain services next school year. Gov. John Kitzhaber proposes $4.95 billion, and many school advocates want $5.1 billion. Oregon Health Plan: $662.8 million, which would end insurance subsidies for "working poor" families above the federal poverty level, dental services for new adult participants and all services for some college students. Kitzhaber proposes $710.4 million, with only modest cuts. Prevention of juvenile and other crime: $15 million of the $30 million Kitzhaber wants for new county programs to deal with young offenders before they commit serious crimes; $8 million of the $18 million Kitzhaber wants to expand drug and alcohol treatment programs. Special transportation: None of the $14 million Kitzhaber wants for high-speed rail in the Willamette Valley and bus connections with Southern and Eastern Oregon; $2 million of the $10 million Kitzhaber wants to expand transit for elderly and disabled passengers. Higher education: $630 million, about $15 million more than Kitzhaber requested, plus $14 million more than he wants for specialized programs. Advocates: GOP budget won't do By PETER WONG SALEM -- As Republican and Democratic legislative leaders begin talks on the state budget today, Southern Oregon advocates for schools and social services say they will have to do better than the amounts Republican leaders finally unveiled Tuesday. Republicans propose more in the next two years for schools, social services and other state programs than in the past two from the tax-supported general fund. But their $10.9 billion is still $300 million short of what Democratic Gov. John Kitzhaber asked for, and what many advocates say will meet public needs. "I come to you with a certain amount of embarrassment that we are presenting a budget that grows by 13.8 percent," said Senate President Brady Adams, R-Grants Pass. "I guess the only consolation I have is that in 1997, it started at 21 percent and we got it down to 15.4 percent, and this time the governor has started at 17 percent." But Adams and other Republicans confirmed that the budget's largest item, state aid to public schools, is still at $4.725 billion. It is $225 million less than what Kitzhaber says is necessary for students to progress toward new state academic standards. "They have not moved the line, even though it is five months later, and two revenue forecasts, both positive," said Medford superintendent Steve Wisely, who heads Oregon's seventh largest district. "I think it is not a good reflection on the majority party." Wisely said Medford schools face a cut of $2.6 million next school year unless the Legislature raises aid to $4.8 billion. About 20 legislators from both houses, including Rep. Rob Patridge, R-Medford, start talks today on the 1999-2001 budget with the help of a facilitator and the top budget experts for the governor and Legislature. "Their budget is what we feared all along," said Bob Applegate, Kitzhaber's spokesman. "It is inadequate aid for schools at the expense of services to people who need health care, juvenile crime prevention and treatment for drug and alcohol abuse." Much of what Republicans unveiled as a package Tuesday was disclosed previously through legislative action on individual agency budgets, or at least hinted at. But the scope of some of the proposals still surprised many advocates. Among them: A $50 million cut in what Kitzhaber requested for the Oregon Health Plan, even though the amount still will grow by 19 percent to $662.8 million. Losers include families that now qualify for insurance subsidies because they are above the federal poverty level, new adult participants that will be denied dental services, and some college students, who were cut in 1995 but restored two years ago. Peg Crowley, executive director of the Community Health Center, said such cuts will increase demands on clinics like hers. A $15 million cut in the $30 million Kitzhaber requested for new county programs to reduce juvenile crime. "They'd better have lower expectations of us," said Alan Young, Jackson County juvenile services director, whose agency is in line for $1.5 million. "There is no way we are going to reduce juvenile crime as much as was expected with only half the money." Various cuts in other programs, including $1 million to continue some school-based health clinics, among them Scenic Middle School and Jewett Elementary School in Central Point. "They are raiding programs we have worked for and hold very dear to find more money for schools," said Hank Collins, Jackson County director of health and human services. Peggy Penland, chairwoman of the Medford School Board, has been lobbying for more money for schools. She said it is time for the Legislature to get down to business. "It seems to make common sense for them to get rid of their Republican and Democratic labels, sit down and talk about what is best for this state," she said. Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA