Governor Kotek directs state agencies to halt non-emergency out-of-state travel and prepare for major budget cuts
Spencer Sacks
(Update: Adding video, details)
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) — Governor Tina Kotek sent a letter Tuesday to the heads of all state agencies, telling them to immediately halt any out of state non emergency travel and to prepare for major budget cuts.
Kotek said in a statement, ” Budget challenges demand that we, as leaders, have the courage to take our best laid plans and put them back on the drawing board as conditions change – to sharpen our pencils, do more with less, and ground ourselves in what matters most.”
The governor listed three actionable items in the statement. First, all agencies should slow operational general and lottery fund spending. Second, Oregon’s chief financial officer will determine reduction targets. Finally, the state will reduce out-of-state travel costs.
This comes after the budget lawmakers passed back in June with a projected surplus of $437 million has now turned into a projected shortfall of $375 million – an over $800 million swing.
Kotek has previously blamed President Trump and the One Big Beautiful Bill for the state’s shortfall, though Oregon Republicans have called out the governor’s and Democrats’ spending.
Read the full letter below: