From the Oregon House Republicans
The Oregon Legislature broke the bank in 2007, increasing government spending by 20 percent and saddling Oregonians with $923 million in new state debt. Here’s a look at 2007 state government spending, by the numbers:
20 Percent: Increase in state government spending
$620 Million: New taxes and fees (despite record state revenue)
$923 Million: New state debt (again, despite record state revenue)
1,178: New state employees added to state payroll
$12 Million: Pay raises to Gov. Kulongoski’s political appointees
$20 Million: Pay raises to appease the unions– who were upset about the political appointees’ pay raises
30: Number of House Democrats who opposed HB 2550, the plan to hire a legislative auditor to review the performance of state agencies and increase fiscal responsibility in state government.
It’s no surprise a majority of Oregonians polled rated the Legislature’s performance as “unfavorable.” (Governor, Lawmakers Get Their Lumps in New Poll, The Oregonian, 12/8/07)