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News Release

 

Contact:    Robin Maxey                                                                  January 16, 2009

                   (503) 986-1605   

                   robin.maxey@state.or.us        

 

Courtney Addresses State Budget Picture

 

(SALEM) -- Senate President Peter Courtney addressed the changing state budget picture in a series of statements released Friday morning.

 

On the State Economist’s presentation to the House Revenue Committee

 

“As a Legislature we have been preparing for the worst. I asked state agencies in November to prepare ‘cut lists’ in 5 percent increments up to 20 percent for the rest of the biennium in anticipation that the state’s revenue picture could worsen. To the extent that you can be ready for a meltdown of this magnitude we have made preparations.

 

“I have been working very closely with DHS Director Dr. Bruce Goldberg to make sure, to whatever extent is possible, that we are preparing for the increased need for social services that is inevitable in this type of declining economy.  Additionally, I have had discussions with the employment department, tracking the incredible loss of jobs we have experienced and the increased need for unemployment benefits. We have to take care of our people.

 

“Our job will not be easy. This will be the hardest thing any of us will ever have to do in this building, but we have a Constitutional responsibility to balance the state budget and a moral obligation to take care of our most vulnerable citizens. We have to tackle the current budget before we can even begin to take on the enormous challenge that awaits us in writing the 2009-2011 budget.

 

On investing in the state’s infrastructure to create jobs

 

“As dark as this recession may seem, I have never doubted that Oregonians, given the opportunity, can work our way of it. That’s our spirit. That’s who we are as a people. What the Legislature can do is offer Oregonians that opportunity by investing in our state’s infrastructure, especially deferred maintenance projects that can begin almost immediately.

 

“These are shelf ready projects at state facilities all across Oregon. Once the funding is in place, state agencies can contract with local employers to complete the work. A $100 million investment in the first month of the session will create more than 1,500 private sector jobs at a time when Oregon needs them most.”

 

On budget cuts in the Legislative Branch

 

“Every state agency is tightening its belt. The Legislature is no different. We are the branch of government responsible for balancing the state budget and we are going to do our part, by making $4.3 million in cuts – the equivalent of 5 percent of our 2007-2009 budget.

 

“It may seem like the cost savings we have identified are small in comparison to the scale of the $16 billion biennial state budget, but the revenue picture requires that we start looking beneath couch cushions and sweeping pennies out of the corners so that we can continue to provide the services Oregonians depend upon in their everyday lives.”