This is Floyd Wynne with "The View from Here"

          Well Measure 30 went down the drain.    Most citizens felt that this was not the time for government to pile on more taxes, but rather for them to take a hard look at what they were doing, and beginning to cut back on some of the marginal items.

          Schools, particularly, which come in for the giants share of the state funds should take a look at what non-school days they have during the regular season, and either eliminate them or cut back on them rather than cutting down the number of actual school days.

          Also...there should be a close examination of personnel needed to actually run our schools.  

          At the same time Governor Kulongoski should empanel an outside committee to reexamine the other areas of state government that draw funds.    Do all these groups, committees etc need funding.

Are they really necessary.

          After that is done....then will come the time to assess the budget shortfall and then cut every budget the same percentage...be it two or ten.

          Oregon, it is true, has gotten a nationwide reputation as a state that is dead set against taxes.....at least at a time when it also had the highest unemployment rate in the nation.

          But.....my feeling is that Oregonians are just leaders in a move to cut the size of government from the federal government right on down.

`        Frankly, the average citizens has gotten sick and tired of one government or another telling him or her just what they can or cannot do, and the only way they feel they can revolt is to turn down any measure that gives government more money.....be it at the local level or in Washington, D.C.

          There are many causes out there can make claims that they are needed, but are they?  Oftentimes, once a service is begun....it goes on forever because those employed in it constantly clamor about the importance of what they are doing.   But....the big question that the general public is beginning to ask is......are they really needed?

          There will be hand-wringing and soulful cries of disaster arising from those who are on the receiving in of taxes, but there will only be

a sense of having recovered a say in what government should be doing, but those who voted against the huge tax hikes.

          Most school districts, for instance, either didn’t budget for the increases they would have gotten if the measure had passed, or had an optional budget if it didn’t pass.

          Yes....there will be some cutbacks.....government has to justify the statements they made prior to the voting that there would be severe cutbacks in education, health care and other areas, and I’m sure there will be.

          That is not the issue.    The issue is that government at all levels that ask citizens for tax support must now look at their budgets and trim them down.

          That’s what most citizens have had to do in these days of not only less money, but in some cases no jobs.

          So.....now that the public has spoken....let’s get down to the real task of sorting out what really needs to be done......and eliminate those programs that really are marginal and can be dispensed with...at least during these troubled economic times.

This is Floyd Wynne and that's "The View from Here"