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Promises about State Budget on Kitz-O-Meter
Cut social services
"We will reduce the number of services we provide, reduce the number of individuals who get services, reduce what we pay people (like doctors and the hospitals who are providing the services) and change the way services are provide."
Require cost-benefit reports for every state program
Will require cost-benefit reports of every state program every year, the first would be due within 45 days of the election.
Shift state education funding to match student achievement
Will "shift state investments from enrollments to student performance and other expected results, guided by the goal of '40-40-20' and focusing instruction on student achievement."
Reform ballot measure process
Will "reform Oregon’s ballot measure process to ensure that voters are more aware of the long-term budgetary impacts of proposed measures."
Reform Oregon's kicker law
Will "reform Oregon’s kicker law (which refunds state surpluses in excess of 2 percent of projected revenues to taxpayers). Before money goes back to taxpayers, it should first fill a reserve fund that will protect Oregonians from service cuts or tax increases during recessions. This is the most immediate way to ensure stable funding for education and other programs in the face of cyclical tax revenues."
Create a state rainy day fund
"We have to build us a big savings account to give us some stability."
Would support increase in cigarette tax if one were to pass legislature
Will "support an increase in the cigarette tax" if it is proposed and passes through the legislature.
Veto any tax increases to balance 2011-2013 budget
Will veto tax increases if Legislature seeks them to balance 2011-2013 budget
Create "energy savings bonds" to invest in public schools and colleges
Will "immediately create low-interest 'energy savings bonds' to jump-start big improvements in Oregon's public colleges and K-12 public schools."
Ask for resignations of top state managers and directors
Will ask for the resignations of all state agency directors and managers, and will appoint or reappoint those dedicated to increasing productivity and reducing costs.
Create single state education budget
Will create a single unified state budget for education - the Oregon Education Investment Fund - that would combine the pre-K dollars in the Oregon Department of Education with the State School fund as well as the budgets for community colleges at the Oregon University System.
Create 10-year budget plan
Will create a 10-year budget plan to offer clearer sense of state's priorities.