Gov. Tina Kotek on Tuesday sent the heads of Oregon agencies a missive to tighten their belts to help close a projected $370 million hole in the state’s two-year budget caused by policies adopted by the federal government.
“I am asking you to leave no stone unturned to save taxpayer dollars,” the governor wrote.
Her letter told agency leaders to slow down their spending of state general fund and lottery dollars. She suggested holding vacant jobs open longer, cutting back on supplies and slowing down new projects or project expansions. The governor also put an immediate suspension on “non-essential” out-of-state travel for training and conferences.
Kotek did not pinpoint specific cuts but said Oregon’s chief financial officer will soon set customized budget reduction targets for each