Oregon Legislature to Cut 1,700 State Jobs

The Oregon State Senate’s Ways & Means Committee has proposed cutting $2 billion from the state’s 2009-11 budget, cutting 1,700 jobs with the state government.

The state is trying to deal with a $4.2 billion budget shortfall, some of which will be defrayed with federal stimulus funds and with the state’s “rainy day” fund.

The Senate Committee expects 15% budget cuts for most state programs. Schools in particular may lose $500 million in funding.