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| Oregon prisons, social services in need of millions of dollars as lawmakers adjust budgets |
| By oregonlive.com- Yuxing Zheng |
| Published: 01/29/2014 |
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When the Oregon Legislature convenes Monday, two large state agencies will be asking for tens of millions of dollars. Lawmakers will revisit the 2013-15 budget to address collective bargaining costs, a record $40 million wildfire season and revenue forecasts that fell $70 million short of earlier projections. Most problematic are the budgets for the Department of Corrections, which is housing about 200 more inmates than projected, and the Department of Human Services, which administers social services for elderly, disabled and poor Oregonians. One lawmaker said she feared the state might need to reopen a prison. Corrections officials say they need about $90 million, and Human Services officials say they need about $100 million to fill their gaps, though some money is expected from other sources. The budget gaps, however, are nowhere near the cuts state agencies saw at the height of the recession and, in many cases, represent a small percentage of their overall budgets, said Sen. Richard Devlin, D-Tualatin and co-chair of the budget committee. “The basic reality is that we will have adequate resources to perform the services that need to be provided, and agencies may need to tighten their belts a little more,” he said. Read More. |
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