SALEM, Ore. (AP) — The co-chairs of Oregon’s budget-writing committee are recommending deep cuts to schools, long-term care programs for seniors and just about every other program state government provides.
The proposed education cuts are less severe than Gov. John Kitzhaber proposed two months ago, but they would still leave schools with $1 billion less than what they say they need to continue current services.
Lawmakers say the cuts aren’t easy but are necessary because the struggling economy has severely cut back on state tax collections. The Legislature is grappling with a $3.5 billion gap between revenue and the projected cost of continuing current services.
