Spending Reform

Oregon does not have a revenue problem, Oregon has a spending problem.

Since 2003, the State of Oregon’s discretionary budget has increased 37%. In that same time period, the average per-capita income for Oregonians has only increased 18% — less than half. In other words, the Oregon Legislature is spending money at twice the rate that Oregonians are earning money.

The cries from the halls in the capitol building in Salem demand that there be enough revenue to cover what is called “current service levels”. The problem is that the spend thrifts in Salem never ask the most important question: Is the “current service level” the appropriate level of spending?

Keep in mind, current service level spending in Oregon for the 2007-2009 bienniums included $773,000 for free soda pop for prisoners. Keep in mind that current service level spending for the 2007-2009 biennium included a 16 page report on the state hospital that costs $252,000. Keep in mind that current service level spending for the 2007-2009 biennium included a $93,000 fence installed at Oregon State University.

Common Sense For Oregon will strongly support legislation reforming the way the State of Oregon’s budget is developed. Under the current system, the politicians have designed a budget process that is nearly impossible to decipher, and even harder to gather information from. In other words, getting line item information about a particular program, agency, or capitol construction project is virtually impossible.

Common Sense For Oregon will support budget reforms that make it far easier for Oregonians to understand how and where their tax dollars are being spent.

• ATTENTION OREGON TAXPAYERS!

  Know of Government Waste or Outrageous Spending? Expose it Anonymously by CLICKING HERE or Calling the Tip Line at 1-877-U-Fleece (1-877-835-3323)

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