Oregon Gov. Wants More Troopers

SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Gov. John Kitzhaber will ask the Oregon Legislature to hire 100 more state troopers to patrol highways.

The Democratic governor also said Tuesday that his $10.8 billion spending plan would not require new taxes. But he said he likely will back a gas tax increase that a business lobbying group plans to submit to the Legislature. He made the comments at a news conference.

Mr. Kitzhaber said the hiring of 100 more state troopers would be a big step toward improving safety on Oregon's streets and freeways.

For various reasons, there are 200 fewer troopers out on the roads today than there were a decade ago, even though Oregon's population has mushroomed during that same period.

Mr. Kitzhaber's plan calls for the Legislature to provide $7.2 million to attract federal matching money to hire the new troopers.