SALEM, Ore. (AP) — New Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber is putting off the release of his initial plans for the state budget in order to attend the funeral of the slain Rainier police chief.
The governor said in his inaugural address Monday that he would release the first details of his budget plan by Friday.
But spokesman Tim Raphael says the governor will be attending Friday’s funeral for Rainier Police Chief Ralph Painter, who was killed last week.
Oregon faces a $3.5 billion deficit in the next two-year budget cycle.
Kitzhaber says he wants state lawmakers to focus less on the amount of money being cut and more on creating the best possible services with available dollars.
Raphael says more details will be announced next week.
