Gov. Brown is preparing to release a budget next month that won’t contain any tax increases, to close the budget deficit. In a prepared statement Wednesday, Brown indicated that she won’t lead initial negotiations on an alternative tax increase proposal.

“I call on both the proponents and opponents of Measure 97 to find common ground and develop solutions that Oregonians support,” she said.

I just hope that over the next 12-18 months at least one of the major political parties come up with someone, anyone, with some leadership capability to run for governor.