Oregon House Republicans Review 2007 "By the Numbers"

Issued December 27, 2007 - (A report on these figures was given to the BCRW by Rep. Linda Flores on Monday, March 24th)

SALEM - 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 reises 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 HB2550, 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, Lawmaker's Get Their Lumps in New Poll, The Oregonian, 12/8/07)