Democrat leaders say governor's budget cuts too deep into corrections, DHS

December 01, 2008

OFFICE OF THE SENATE PRESIDENT

NEWS RELEASE: December 1, 2008
CONTACT: Robin Maxey,(503) 986(c)p5
robin.maxey@state.or.us

COURTNEY, CARTER SAY GOVERNOR^0OS BUDGET CUTS TOO DEEP INTO CORRECTIONS, DHS

SALEM (R)C Senate President Peter Courtney and Senator Margaret Carter, the new Senate Co-Chair of the Joint Ways and Means Committee, said today they are concerned that the budget proposed by Governor Kulongoski this morning cuts too deep into the Department of Corrections and the human services safety net on which more and more Oregonians must depend during in an economic recession.

^0We cannot allow the people who are the most vulnerable in these times to be put into the street. We can^0Ot let dangerous felons be released into the street,^0+/- Courtney said. ^0Throughout this crisis there has been a lot of talk about Wall Street and Main Street. We also need to be focused on making sure families on Oak Street are safe; that they have food on their table; daycare for their children; and that our senior citizens have the long-term care they need.^0+/-

Carter said too many times policy makers lose sight of what the state budget is all about. ^0When I see a spreadsheet, I see people,^0+/- Carter said. ^0I see the faces of single parents who work two jobs and still depend on food stamps to feed their children. I see the faces of foster children and of those in our mental health system. I see the faces of Oregonians who have lost their jobs and have no where else to go for help.^0+/- Carter said. ^0We can^0Ot turn our backs on the people who count on us the most, when they need us the most.^0+/-

The Oregon Department of Human Services reported last month that the number of families receiving Temporary Assistance for Need Families has increased by 16 percent in the last year and that, since October 2007, 29,000 additional families have been added to the rolls of those receiving food stamps.

In September alone, an additional 14,000 Oregonians joined the ranks of the unemployed, the pair noted.

^0It^0Os ugly out there,^0+/- Courtney said. ^0We need to explore every option and we absolutely must protect those who can^0Ot protect themselves (R)C our children, our elderly and those with multiple disabilities. Oregon will rebound from this crisis, but there has to be bridge so that nobody gets left behind.^0+/-

^0We^0Ore all in this together and we will get out of this by working together,^0+/- Carter said.
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