SALEM— Rep. Bill Kennemer (R-Oregon City) today voted to protect funding for the most essential state programs by supporting the official call for a special session to rebalance the 2009-11 state budget. Rep. Kennemer said a special session is necessary to prevent the Governor from imposing across-the-board cuts to fix a $577 million budget shortfall.

“This significant shortfall is the result of poor budget planning and the Legislature’s unsustainable spending,” Rep. Kennemer said. “Across the board cuts are another wrong solution because they will protect non-essential programs at the expense of our schools, law enforcement and our most vulnerable citizens. A special session would give us the opportunity to re-prioritize spending and find new savings in the budget.”

Unlike the February “supplemental” session, Rep. Kennemer said the $577 million budget shortfall meets the constitutional requirements of a special session. He said legislative action is needed to avoid dramatic cuts, such as a $3.1 million reduction to Oregon City schools and a $1.9 million reduction to Canby schools.

“While I’m always reluctant to support special sessions, this is a time when we need to prioritize cuts and be wise stewards,” Rep. Kennemer said. “Difficult decisions must be made, but there are enough resources to hold education and other critical services harmless. By re-directing excess agency cash balances, enacting common sense policy changes, and by reducing state personnel costs, we can rebalance the budget in a fiscally responsible way.”