The Oregon Military Department budget will cover all of the state’s armories.

Oregon Brig. Gen. Mike Caldwell said that armory reductions would be spared by state lawmakers, provided that revenue forecasts are accurate.

The current Military Department budget was still forecast to be 14 percent below 2007-09 levels, Caldwell said, but lawmakers originally had sought 30 percent across-the-board cuts in military spending.

Generals and other state military leaders complained about the budget cuts and armory closure proposals last month.

 Background: Four armories slated for closure

"Much of the decision making came from legislators hearing the voices of support for keeping the armories open for the troops and their families," said Caldwell. 

Armories across the state had been placed on an elimination list, including posts in Coos Bay, Milton-Freewater, Newport, Lebanon, Burns, Redmond, Prineville and St. Helens. Lawmakers also wanted to cut National Guard staff by 20.

The guard currently has about 50 armories around the state. Soldiers train there and military families use them to gather and support each other. The Guard also says the armories make effective recruiting stations.

"We've been able to work with the Oregon State Legislature to prevent the closures from happening, but all of this is predicated on revenue estimates that some consider rosy," Caldwell said.

The military budget depends on increased revenues from tax hikes passed by the Legislature last week.

Under the current compromise, the Oregon Youth Challenge and National Guard Reintegration programs -- both on the chopping block -- will be spared.