The non-partisan legislative fiscal bureau estimates there's $3 billion in new bonding in Governor Jim Doyle's proposed budget. GOP lawmakers are jumping on that as irresponsible. Assembly Speaker Mike Huebsch (R-West Salem) says the additional borrowing will mean the state's interest payments will equal nearly $19 million a month in extra spending. Huebsch says the number of spending increases in the budget is almost ridiculous.
The borrowing increases could set up a lengthy budget debate between the Republican-controlled Assembly and Senate Democrats. (WIBA's John Colbert contributed this report)
