Finally, one politician who realizes the state taxpayers (his employees) are taxed out. Sorry, I just know too many people struggling in jobs to make payments, who cannot afford more taxes.

What would be really great is a cut in non-essential services, but I'll take what I can get.

Here is a great chance to define what is essential. Didn't see many legislators spelled it out last session, but a remark like "What would be really great is a cut in non-essential services" deserves to be follwoed by a list of what anyone thinks is non-essential> I'll start with 2 things I think are non-essential when there is such a tight budget: 1) the tax break for mobile field incinerators (unless someone says what they would cut to pay for it) 2) a close look at high salaries. From those who earn more than the Gov. (like university presidents) to school superintendents and other central office administrators who are given a larger raise to teachers, to other publicly funded administrative salaries, to legislative leadership staff salaries--is Mme. Speaker still paying her Chief of Staff $8000 per month? Why shouldn't they explain in detail why they deserve to earn the money they make?

I hope Kulongoski is going to stick to his guns and insist that critics specify where they would cut and what their specific priorities are. It's ridiculously inadequate for critics to say "government has to tighten their belt" and not back that up with specifics.

Given that there are no new personal taxes on the horizon my suggestions to free up revenue for the essential services we all need in this state: -Raise the $10 corporate tax -Put all tax credits on the table--insist they be subject to review/prioritization like other budget items. We're talking Billions here, and while many are very worthwile (community development, alternative energy, etc.) others are totally gratuitous. The SUV tax credit, esp. when we are at war in Iraq and our soldiers are driving Humvees without armor, is immmoral, pure and simple.

I don't think we can afford to be subsidizing tax breaks for vacation homes, luxury boats and Hummers. I think PGE can afford to pay more than $10 a year.

Sigh. I dunno. I'm getting ready to write my multiple hundreds of dollar check to Multnomah County that assures me that at least my kids' schools will operate a full year.

And then I'll write the annual check to the burglar alarm company so the burgeoning crime wave in SE Portland won't affect me.

And I'll get involved at the local level in my school and community center and PDX because I've pretty much given up on anything from the state. At least I haven't jumped to private schools or moved to Clackamas or Clark County like an increasing number of friends and colleagues.

And thank god I don't work at a public university, since they continue to get reamed at every budget cycle.