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)
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