Friday March 2nd is the first of a two-part series on Governor Kulongoski's budget and tax proposals. Tim Nesbitt, deputy chief of staff in the Governor's office, will provide an outline of the plan, and say why the proposed changes are needed. Next week, Bill Sizemore will provide an opposing viewpoint on these proposals.

The proposed budget increases funding in a number of areas, and includes some additional tax burden on Oregon citizens. In education, the governor has outlined an increase for primary education spending by 15.5%, and a community college spending increase of 12.6%. The proposals also provide for an additional $32 million in need-based grants for college education. Kulongoski's health-care changes include implementing his Healthy Kids Plan, covering 95% of children without health insurance, and increasing the coverage provided by the Oregon Health Plan. One controversial aspect of his proposals would use an auto-insurance surcharge to fund an additional 139 new state troopers for basic coverage on major highways. The plan also adds $6 million for basic police training, increasing training time from 10 to 16 weeks. In the environmental arena, the plan provides $38.2 million to fund the Oregon Innovation Council Innovation Plan, which supports research into alternative energy and sustainable industries.

Tonie Nathan, the Libertarian candidate for Vice President 35 years ago, will ask the first question.