By JULIA SHUMWAY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Legislative budget writers plan to trim many state agency budgets while increasing overall spending in the next two years. Co-chairs of the legislative budget-writing committee on Thursday shared the broad strokes of their $31.6 billion spending plan for the two years beginning July 1. It starts with 2.5% reductions to […]
workforce
Kotek targets behavioral health system crisis – and plans ahead
Gov. Tina Kotek is asking the Legislature for more behavioral health funding. The money would fund programs for people who need care in other settings besides the Oregon State Hospital in Salem. (Oregon Health Authority) By BEN BOTKIN/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Gov. Tina Kotek is asking lawmakers to put $74.2 million into behavioral health […]
Lincoln County looking for some housing expertise
Lincoln County is on the market for a consultant to help it develop housing for all income levels. The county announced Monday it is looking for a team or individual that can help it identify properties to develop as affordable, workforce and market-rate housing. The consultant should also be to perform basic due diligence on properties, […]
A lack of affordable housing, child care is holding Oregon back, state business development agency says
By LYNNE TERRY/Oregon Capital Chronicle SALEM — Oregon’s latest economic forecast paints a rosy picture of the state’s recovery. Wages have grown and household spending is strong. In a year, employment is expected to be fully recovered. But not everyone is enjoying a robust recovery, which is something Business Oregon, the state’s economic development agency, aims […]