Education wins state budget clash
Some programs for disabled, elderly and low income families lose out
By BRAD CAIN
Associated Press
Tuesday, December 2, 2008 10:20 AM PST
SALEM — Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s proposed state budget for the next two years would protect education from funding cuts but make deep reductions in some social services spending, including programs for the disabled, the elderly and low-income families.
In presenting his proposed budget on Monday, Kulongoski said the nation’s economic turmoil requires hard choices.
He called for reducing the amount of money to provide in-home care for some 6,500 seniors and the disabled as well as cuts in state child care subsidies for 3,500 low-income working families.
Additionally, about 100,000 adults could lose dental and vision benefits under the Oregon Health Plan while about 3,000 low-income Oregonians could lose access to community-based mental health and drug and alcohol treatment programs.
Kulongoski’s 2009-2011 budget proposal is a starting point, and legislative leaders on Monday immediately signaled it could be open to major revisions.
Senate President Peter Courtney said he’s concerned that Kulongoski’s social services cuts go too deep, especially since the most recent monthly unemployment report showed 14,000 Oregonians joining the jobless ranks.
‘‘It’s ugly out there,’’ the Salem Democrat said. ‘‘We need to explore every option and we absolutely must protect those who can’t protect themselves — our children, our elderly and those with disabilities.’‘‘’
In his budget announcement, the Democratic governor said his two-year spending blueprint will avoid cuts in the K-12 budget and for higher education. He said he’s advocating that approach because the state will need a well-educated work force for when economic recovery does come to the state.
