Keeping the hospital open is essential.  New taxes are not.  This is a glaring example of the lack of leadership in Salem; they build a hospital and did not dedicate or budget funds to keep it operational.  Now we are told there is a crisis that necessitates new taxes.  We are essentially being held hostage by the legislature if we want to keep the hospital open.  The mentally ill deserve treatment and compassion and keeping these kind of facilities open should be a priority of state government and not an afterthought.  Something is terribly wrong in Salem for this to happen or to even be an issue.  Where is the long term planning?  Who is accountable?  Anyone?  We need to clean house (the statehouse) and get a fresh set of eyes on our state's  budget problems.  The long-term politicians have run out of common sense ideas and are wasting our time (legislative sessions have time limits).  Do you think much has been accomplished in this legislative session?  I don't.