Governor Kitzhaber Statement regarding the Ways and Means Co-Chairs' Budget

Statement

Governor Kitzhaber today released the following statement:

"I applaud the Ways and Means Co-Chairs for releasing their budget in a timely manner and basing their budget on the March revenue forecast. Oregonians expect to see a balanced, bi-partisan approach to the budget, and the Co-Chairs have set a constructive tone.

I look forward to seeing more detail about spending choices across the budget, including funding levels for critical programs and services in early childhood development, post-secondary education, health care, human services and public safety.

It would be premature for me to endorse a plan to lock in increased funding for K-12 education or any other program without knowing more about the funding implications for other programs and services.

Given Oregon's severe revenue constraints, there is simply no way to increase funding in one area without cutting from someplace else. If the legislature accesses the Education Stability Fund, those dollars should be used to save jobs, lower class size and provide support to improve student achievement. Efforts to create stable funding for education should target the full zero to 20 spectrum, from pre-k to post-secondary.

I will continue to work with the legislature to craft a budget that delivers the services Oregonians need and deserve in the most efficient, effective way possible."

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