In the last days of their current session, the Oregon Legislature is likely to approve a 23% increase in the Department of Human Services budget, says a story in the Oregonian this morning. [link] Around 27% of the final budget comes from state tax dollars, and the remainder comes from other sources–which might be news to some of the people for whom any increase in human services dollars is an Armageddon paid for out of their very own wallet.
The increase falls short of levels requested by some advocates, but nevertheless is a step in the right direction after years of inadequate funding.