Note: This article was last updated in 2011. Click here for more recent information on state budgets and finances. |
Oregon's budget for FY2009-11 totaled $61 billion.[1] The state faced a $3.8 billion biennium FY 2010-11 budget deficit.[2][3] [4] As a result, the governor ordered 9% budget cuts.[5]
According to reports the "all funds budget" was $51.2 billion in 2007-09 and increased to $55.9 billion in 2009-11, a 9 percent increase. The "general fund" decreased from $15.1 billion for 2007-09 to $14.2 billion in 2009-11.[6]
Oregon had a total state debt of $26,365,021,034 when calculated by adding the total of outstanding debt, pension and OPEB UAAL’s, unemployment trust funds and the 2010 budget gap as of July 2010.[7]
Total spending | Human services | Education | Protection | Other |
---|---|---|---|---|
$14.5 | $3.7 | $7.3 | $2.4 | $1.1 |
Total spending | Pension | Healthcare | Education | Welfare | Protection | Transport | Deficit |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
$24.7 | $0.1 | $0.9 | $7.2 | $0.7 | $2.3 | $2.4 | $25 |
Find the state’s FY2011 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR) compiled by the state government online.[10]
Oregon had a budget for FY2009-11 that totaled $61 billion, up from $41 billion in 2005-07.[11]
The state's Legislative Emergency Board unanimously approved spending nearly $18 million from state emergency funds.[12] The Statesman Journal "Legislative panel taps emergency funds" September 25, 2010 </ref> The Legislative Emergency Board consists of 20 members who decide budget matters between sessions, which it did in this biennium.[13] The emergency fund increased because after Nov. 1, allocations made by lawmakers for specific purposes but were left unspent reverted to the control of the E-Board.[14] The Board could tap $54.4 million in the state's emergency fund and unspent allocations, as well as $33 million in other accounts, including the Oregon Lottery and savings from spending cuts in the Legislature, courts, and secretary of state.[14]
Figures released by the Oregon House Republicans showed the Oregon Legislature's FY 2010-11 biennial budget had $1.6 billion in new taxes and fees and used $1.258 billion in one-time federal stimulus money for a $52.9 billion total funds budget (two-years) 9.3% larger than the previous budget.[15]
Oregon's budget covers two fiscal years (a biennium). This means it runs from July 1 of an odd-numbered year to June 30 of the next odd-numbered year. The fiscal period was from July 1, 2009 to June 30, 2011. The budget development process had three major phases: Agency Request, Governor’s Recommended and Legislatively Adopted.[16]
Agencies start the budget early in even-numbered years to develop their Agency Request Budget. This lays out agency finances and policies for consideration by the Governor. The Budget and Management Division (BAM) gives agencies guidelines to use in this process. Agencies send their budget request to BAM by September 1.[17]
The Governor and BAM review the budget request. They use the Governor’s priorities, budget policies and current law to make budget decisions. The Governor’s Recommended Budget document summarizes those decisions. It gives data on all the state’s revenues and expenditures. It also gives information on each agency’s budget. The Department of Revenue puts together a Tax Expenditure Report that is published at the same time. The Tax Expenditure Report outlines the various reductions available to residents for the income tax.[18]
The Governor presents the Recommended Budget to the Legislature when it meets at the start of the next calendar year (January of 2009, during the 2009-11 biennium). Legislative committees review the proposed budget. They hold public hearings to hear from each agency and the public. Each budget bill had a Budget Report that presents the committee recommendations. The Legislature votes on each budget bill. The budget bills that were enacted into law make up the Legislatively Adopted Budget. Agencies carry out, or execute, the budget over the two year budget period. The Emergency Board can make some changes to the budget between legislative sessions. Special sessions may also be called to deal with budget issues. The Legislatively Adopted Budget and the changes to it make up the Legislatively Approved Budget.[19]
The Oregon State Legislature convenes every two years in regular session on the second Monday in January during odd-numbered years, a date set by statute. Oregon Constitution did not specify a limitation on session length, however most sessions last approximately six months. During the interim, legislators serve on interim committees and task forces that study issues likely to be faced during the next legislative session.[20]
Under a 1951 law, the governor possesses the authority to cut spending proportionately from the tax-supported general fund to avert a deficit.[21]
General Fund[22]
Category | FY2009 Amount in millions Actual | FY 2010 Amount in millions Estimated |
---|---|---|
Beginning Balance | 5 | 0 |
Revenues | 5,849 | 6,619 |
Adjustments | -20 | 0 |
Total Resources | 5,834 | 6,619 |
Expenditures | 5,834 | 6,458 |
Adjustments | 0 | 0 |
Ending Balance | 0 | 161 |
Budget Stabilization Fund | 113 | 15 |
The following table provides a history of Oregon's expenditures and gross domestic product (GDP).
Fiscal Year | Expenditures (billions) | GDP (billions) |
---|---|---|
2000 | $24.1[23] | $112.4[23] |
2001 | $25.9[23] | $110.9[23] |
2002 | $27.7[23] | $117.1[23] |
2003 | $28.0[23] | $121.6[23] |
2004 | $28.2[23] | $132.8[23] |
2005 | $29.1[23] | $138.1[23] |
2006 | $30.5[23] | $151.0[23] |
2007 | $32.0[23] | $165.1[23] |
2008 | $33.6[23] | $165.8[23] |
2009 | $35.3*[23] | $173.8*[23] |
The Oregon Audits Division was the only independent auditing organization in the state with the authority to review programs of agencies in all three branches of state government and other organizations receiving state money. Authority for the responsibilities of the Audits Division was found in sections 297.010 through 297.990 of the Oregon Revised Statutes. Their audit reports were published online in a user-friendly, searchable format. The Division of Audits was established in 1929 by the state legislature to carry out the duties of the Secretary of State as the constitutional Auditor of Public Accounts. Gary Blackmer was the Director of the Audits Division under Oregon Secretary of State Kate Brown. Kate Brown was elected Secretary of State in 2008.[24][25]
The State Controller’s Division was responsible for statewide financial accounting, financial reporting, and administration of the statewide accounting system for state government. It prepares the Statewide Comprehensive Annual Financial Report (CAFR), administers statewide central disbursements, and provides professional fiscal guidance, training, and consultation to state agencies. John Radford had been Oregon's State Controller since his appointment by the Governor in 1989.[26][27]
Credit Rating | Fitch | Moody's | S&P |
Oregon[28] | AA+ | Aa1 | AA+ |
Oregon state budget and finances
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