PORTLAND, Ore. — The first wave of inmates was released from a county jail Wednesday as state agencies across Oregon began implementing spending cuts after voters rejected a temporary income tax hike.
"It's a party atmosphere at the jail today," said Multnomah County Sheriff Bernie Giusto as he announced the release of 31 inmates -- among 114 scheduled to be freed during the day.
The inmate release is one of the first cost-saving measures to follow the failure of Tuesday's tax-hike proposal, put on the ballot to stave off $310 million in spending cuts.
Legislative leaders met with Gov. Ted Kulongoski on Wednesday morning in Salem to discuss ways to soften the blow.
Though lawmakers will be focusing on the upcoming budget during their current session, "we will also take into account the cuts that affect the most vulnerable," said House Speaker Karen Minnis, a Republican.
