Senate passes education budget - Portland Business Journal:

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By a 21-6 count, the Senater measure will fund schoolsat $6 billion for the next two Sen. Margaret Carter, a Portland Democrat and the Ways and MeanxsCommittee co-chair, said the budget consists of targeted stimulus dollars and state The budget also includes new revenur from last week’s measures that increased Oregon’s corporate minimum, corporate income and personal income tax of wealthy individuals. “Stabilithy is key to the success of our said Carter.
“This budget offers school districts certainty that they can keep theire doors open and continue to provide a qualityg education to our children and The state’s reserves will still contaihn $500 million despite the decision to tap $200 millio n of the funds for the schools budget. Democrats said the budget should allow schools to maintain full school yearas from 2009 to 2011without “draconian” cuts to staff and services. “Thia budget is not perfect, but it is far from the worsttcase scenario,” said Sen. Rod Monroe, a Portlansd Democrat and co-chair of the Ways and Means Subcommittedeon Education.
“The fact of the matter is that we are in very challengingy timesand we’ve made tough decisionse to make this budget work.” The House will consider the bill before the legislative sessio ends. Democratic leaders have said they want to closr the session byJuly 1.