Oregon Legislative Outlook, 2007
Voters in Oregon defeated a TABOR amendment that would have capped state spending. They also re-elected incumbent Governor Ted Kulongoski (D) who campaigned for increased per pupil spending, universal head start, smaller classes, and better teachers. In the past Kulongoski has championed consolidation as a way to save money. Look for changes in the make up of the legislature to open the way for changes to the state’s funding formula, which has left increasing numbers of Oregon schools cash-strapped in recent years. It is likely, however, that changes to the funding formula could also be accompanied by calls for consolidation. Oregon stands to lose more funding than any state by the elimination of federal payments to school districts with large tracts of national forests lands within their borders.