| Press Release |
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| December 1, 2004 |
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Governor Kulongoski Releases 2005-07 Recommended Budget
(Salem, Ore. ) – Today Governor Ted Kulongoski released his 2005-07 Recommended Budget. outlined the “Oregon Principles” budget process he is using to develop his recommended budget for the 2005-2007 biennium. The governor’s budget process focuses on making targeted investments to deliver the strongest return on taxpayer dollars around a set of six core principles for a prosperous Oregon.
The governor also announced that – for the first time in Oregon ’s history – profiles of all of the programs and services seeking funding have been posted to his website so the public can see the information he is using to build his budget.
“This process isn’t just about the 2005-2007 budget – it is part of a bigger effort to ensure government is investing wisely and efficiently to deliver the best value for taxpayer dollars,” said Governor Kulongoski. “Since I took office, I have worked to increase accountability and efficiency in state government and to build a better business climate in Oregon. This budget process is an important part of achieving those goals. We need to look forward and develop a budget that reflects the values of our state by investing in the programs that move us toward a prosperous future for Oregon.”
The governor’s six Oregon Principles for Oregon ’s future are:
- Children’s basic educational needs are met and adults have opportunities to develop career skills through training and higher education.
- Oregon ’s most vulnerable have their basic health, food and shelter needs met.
- Oregon has a positive business climate and invests in economic development in order to create and retain sustainable businesses and family-wage jobs.
- Oregon has a healthy balance between growth, infrastructure development and environmental protection.
- Oregonians are safe in their homes, communities and in state institutions.
- State government is stable, responsive and accountable to Oregonians.
Instead of basing his 2005-07 state budget on what government has funded in the past, the governor is looking at state government as a whole to create a budget based on a vision for Oregon ’s future. In the past, budget requests have been submitted to the governor only by agency and have remained organized by agency throughout the proposal and adoption process. This time, the governor directed agencies to also provide detail on all of their programs and functions and to categorize each one according to which Oregon Principle it supports.
In order to make sure state government recommend spending based on good spending practices – providing the best value to the citizens, he also asked agencies to list for each program:
- whether each program is a mandated activity outside of his or the legislature’s control;
- how many Oregonians will be served by the program;
- what the program will accomplish for Oregon citizens; and
- how programs can be measured to assure they are serving their purpose for Oregon.
In keeping with the governor’s commitment to making government more accountable and transparent, the governor has posted all of his budget information to his website (www.governor.state.or.us). The website includes detailed information about the governor’s investments.
Media Contact:
Marian Hammond, 503-378-6169
Anna Richter Taylor, 503-378-6496
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