Joint Statement from Governor Kitzhaber, Senate and House Legislative Leadership and Ways and Means Co-chairs on Budget Agreement

Statement

Governor Kitzhaber, Senate and House Legislative Leadership and Ways and Means Co-chairs issued the following statement on today's budget meeting:

"We had a productive discussion today and have agreed on a budget framework and timeline to guide the Legislature's consideration of state spending on key programs and services, including education, health care, human services and public safety. Our agreement today is not meant to bypass the full Legislature's role in approving the state budget, and we did not attempt to set specific funding levels for agencies.

Rather, we now have a common understanding of the Ways and Means Co-Chairs' budget, and we agree on remaining budget issues and the resources available to meet them. We also have agreed on an approach to restore funding to priority programs and services if there is additional revenue identified in the May 12th Economic and Revenue Forecast.

Furthermore, we agree that if there is additional revenue identified in the May 12th forecast, the first priority is to restore funding to programs within the Department of Human Services to protect the state's most vulnerable citizens. Next, we are committed to restoring cuts to public safety programs."

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