It's a ballot issue - two of them - in Oregon, for early next year. Signatures submitted for 301, personal tax increase (129,500 unverified signatures submitted, 55,179 required), and 302, corporate tax increase (126,183 submitted, same number needed), almost certainly enough for ballot status. . . . Clackamas County Commissioner Lynn Peterson says (a recent Facebook page to the contrary) she won't run for governor . . . Owing to budget cuts, former state Senator Vicki Walker won't take the job as chair of parole board, instead an administrative job at lower salary, at least temporarily . . . Seattle Times endorsement schedule announced . . . Spokane report on a parking lot scam . . . Mount Vernon struggles to deal with Glenn Beck Day (which is Saturday) chatter; media access (expected to be limited) has become a hot topic.
Posts published in “Day: September 25, 2009”
Officials in Oregon or Washington might actually breathe east at the amount, but the $150 million revenue shortfall - a result of the latest revenue estimates coming in lower than they were earlier in the year - is a tough nut for Idaho.
Today Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter did what he had to do in ordering cutbacks; he's required to keep the budget balanced. It was a measured response, though, varying cutbacks by agency, and finding rainy day and other funds to cushion blows where he could. This wasn't a meat ax, across-the-board deal. the cuts averaged 4% but varied considerably.
Overall reaction initially seems positive, or as positive as you can feel under the circumstances.
The video, by the way, comes via Idaho Public Television, which captured the packed press conference.