ORS 171.557: State budget policy.

(1) The Legislative Assembly finds that there is a need for a comprehensive, specific budget format available to all members of the Legislative Assembly so that:

      (a) Effective policy decisions can be made;

      (b) Line items in agency budgets can be identified by program function;

      (c) Decisions to increase or decrease agency budgets can be made with knowledge as to policy and programmatic impact; and

      (d) A more objective comparison can be made to the Governor’s budget.

      (2) The Legislative Assembly also finds that the goal of the legislative budgeting process is to afford members a thorough understanding of:

      (a) The policies of state government regarding the definition and delivery of state services;

      (b) What program functions are necessary to state operations and the cost of these functions; and

      (c) The means whereby these policies and programs are administered.

      (3) The goal of the Legislative Assembly is to decide, as a body, which policies and programs are necessary to discharge its public responsibilities. Consequently, the Legislative Assembly finds that there is a need to examine the legislative budgeting process so that:

      (a) Policy decisions are made by the Legislative Assembly as a whole;

      (b) Program functions are more closely identified with line items in agency budgets;

      (c) Funding options and priorities are defined in terms of policies; and

      (d) Legislative budgeting identifies programs which are necessary in terms of policies and state responsibilities, as opposed to the need to maintain existing program activities.