The governor is faced with building a budget contending with a huge revenue deficit.  It should be no "news" that it will require some significant expenditure reductions to balance with that reduced revenue.  Fortunately, Oregon has a requirement for a "balanced budget" and we're not headed toward ever-increasing deficit spending like we are at the federal level.  

My "dog in the fight" involves the Junction City State Hospital and the astronomical costs to continue to operate the facility (current cost: $425,000 per patient).  You will read and hear "fear mongering" from those legislators who pushed the construction of the facility in the face of very widespread opposition from mental health providers, professionals and layperson advocates.  The facility is NOT needed, it wasn't needed when it was built and is even less needed now.  Its closure will NOT mean dangerous mentally ill individuals will be "put on the streets."  (cont.)