The Oregonian has an interesting piece today noting what most of us have been saying for a quite a while: Saxton's magic promises to run the state on rainbows and mysticaly solutions out of the yellow pages don't add up:

To date, Saxton has offered few specifics on where he would cut. In broad terms, he says he would have efficiency experts comb through state agencies to look for cost savings, and he mentions printing, data processing and vehicle maintenance.

He also would use the "Yellow Pages test" to see how many state services could be shunted off to the private sector, thereby saving the state the cost of salaries and benefits for the employees who perform the service. Privatization plans tend to grab attention during campaigns, but they're difficult to carry out because of union agreements and other contractual obstacles when large numbers of jobs are at stake.

Critics have seized on Saxton's hesitancy, saying he has failed to give a clear picture of one of the cornerstones of his campaign.

"Being efficient is a good thing," says Steve Novick, a consultant with Pyramid Communications in Portland and an activist who has worked against a number of anti-tax measures. "But this man has yet to identify any efficiencies."