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D O T Y B L O G
Fair and Balanced Discussion from Southern Oregon
Sunday, April 11, 2004
Two headlines that make us all say "Whhuuuaaaaaa?" 
posted by John at 1:44 PM
posted by John at 1:44 PM"The state Department of Human Services avoids $120 million in cuts it expected after Measure 30"... hrm ... Damian Mann's subhead April 8 points to exactly the kind of thing that brings people like Kevin Mannix and the rest of the GOP group in Salem to claim to have a secret plan involving all the 'hidden money' in Salem. And the reporting on this pair doesn't do anything to look for any other possible explanations.
First we have "Miscalculation boosts DHS budget" in the 4/8 edition wherein we learn initially of the recent recalculations yielding this big new chunk of change. Recalculations from initial estimates and assumptions that were vetted through the legislature (but notice NONE of the various "There is money in Salem" types could actually itemize and locate any of it before the Measure 30 election either. Politics is being played by the righteously indignant crowd, too)
Then we get the "Patridge fumes over DHS budget revision", wherein the current occupant of the seat I am seeking utters the memorable, "I'm pissed," as the first of several quotes in the article - all from Republican lawmakers, including my opponent who hasn't actually SERVED IN SALEM, yet. Patridge goes on to ask if we would have made the cuts we made had we known about this extra money - And here is the problem with elected officials talking about money these days - All big numbers are equally Huge and Big and Close enough to each other that they believe we go all stupid. They don't think we can do the math. This was $120 million in an $800 million short fall, so in answer to your question, Rob, "Yes, we (Oregon) still would have made the bulk of the cuts." Almost 7 of every 8 anticipated dollars is basically still gone.
Bottom line is that A: there needs to be improvment in the service delivery agencies ability to account (the funding crunch has impacted the "bean counters", too.) and B: the GOP 'leaders' need to figure out that we want legislators who will be accountable BEFORE the mess hits and will step out boldly to intervene - instead of pointing fingers after the fact, smug and content in their rage ("I'm pissed") - knowing they proved once again government can't be trusted. Newsflash guys - YOU ARE GOVERNMENT - you are the part that we can change and you are the party that has been in charge.
UPDATE 4-11, 1:45pm - The MMT's OpEd for Sunday also addresses this.