(cartoon from Jack Ohman, The Oregonian)

Oregon's new future is here:

The state also must cut deeply into human services. Falling caseloads have freed up money that Kulongoski can use to patch some holes in Oregon's safety net, but tens of thousands of poor children, seniors and disabled people will lose some or all of their health care benefits. Oregon could lose more than $300 million in federal matching grants. These will be painful, damaging cuts, but Oregon has no choice now except to make them.