Budget

Facing big deficits, the governor has proposed taking a bigger chunk out of climate programs in his new budget — about 7% — and spreading the funds over seven years. Climate groups said cutting back on state spending now would cost the state more later.

Gov. Newsom says the deficit is far smaller than what the Legislature’s analysts projected, and proposes only $8.5 billion in cuts by delaying spending and taking $13 billion from the state’s main reserves.

Libraries across Oregon are facing substantial cuts in their budgets, which industry leaders worry could lead to more stress and burnout among library workers, according to the State Library of Oregon.

California lawmakers gaveled in Wednesday, briefly, for the 2024 legislative session with plenty to do, but scant cash to go around.

After three-and-a-half months at home, California legislators returned to Sacramento Wednesday for a seven-month session where a budget deficit and the election will be top of mind.

California’s Legislative Analyst’s Office projects a 2024-25 budget deficit twice as large as 2023-24. It says the state could dip into reserves and cut some one-time spending.

Southern Oregon University President Rick Bailey discussed the university's financial situation ahead of the upcoming school year.

At the end of the 2023 legislative session, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek used her veto power to nix state funding for two studies, totaling $600,000, intended to research the impact of Oregon’s laws prohibiting prostitution. In doing so, she stepped into a centuries-old debate about whether or not the world’s oldest profession can ever be entered into voluntarily — or if it is a legitimate form of work and should instead be decriminalized.

The California Legislature returned Monday for the final five weeks of the session — and Gov. Gavin Newsom has some marching orders.

Lawmakers approved major new spending on an ongoing Capitol renovation this year without once mentioning the cost escalations.

The settlement funds are the result of thousands of lawsuits filed against a host of health care companies, including Johnson & Johnson, McKesson, CVS Health, and Walmart, for aggressively promoting and distributing painkillers.

The Climate Resilience Package could bring in $1 billion in federal funds over the next few years for climate action across the state.