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Dispatches from public radio's correspondent at the Oregon Legislature. This is a venue for political and policy coverage of the state government in Salem and its impact on the people of Oregon.

Oregon House Postpones Key Vote On Education Budget

OregonDOT
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Oregon DOT

Public schools in Oregon will have to wait longer to find out how much state funding they can expect over the next two years.

The Oregon House postponed a key vote Tuesday on the K-12 budget. Majority Democrats said delaying the vote for a week would allow more time for lawmakers to negotiate a possible corporate tax hike.

Rep. Barbara Smith Warner said waiting until next week could yield dividends for Oregon schools.

"We are still working hard to find a way to make strategic new investments in our schools by containing costs and reforming our revenue system,” she said.

House Republican leader Mike McLane called the delay a "political maneuver." He unsuccessfully argued for an immediate vote on the funding bill.

"We don't need more games played with our kids,” McLane said.

The K-12 budget passed the Oregon Senate nearly two weeks ago on a bipartisan vote.