Gov. Brown maps out how Legislature will balance budget

SALEM, Ore. -- Gov. Kate Brown, with four weeks left in the Legislative session, said it’s time to stop the bare-knuckle politicking and move major bills including a hospital tax, a transportation package and a cost containment initiative.

“There’s a lot of hostage taking or at least threats of hostage taking happening in the legislative process on a number of issues. That is not abnormal for the end of a legislative session. I do not support those tactics,” she said Thursday.

The Legislature needs the pieces to fall into place in order to plug a $1.4 billion hole in the 2017-2019 budget. The governing body is constitutionally required to adjourn by July 10.

Brown won’t say yet whether she’d call a special session if lawmakers miss the deadline.

Read more: http://www.kgw.com/news/politics/gov-brown-maps-out-how-legislature-will-balance-budget/447998928