The Columbia River Gorge Commission is waiting to see what Washington Governor Jay Inslee’s proposed budget for the 2015-17 biennium holds.  Two weeks agom Oregon Governor John Kitzhaber included $1,694,000 in his 15-17 budget for the Gorge Commission, an 89 percent increase from the current biennium.  But the National Scenic Area Compact requires the two states to provide an equal amount of funding.  Gorge Commission Executive Director Darren Nichols says he feels hopeful about what Inslee will propose, even though Washington faces some serious budget challenges.  Nichols adds he hopes both Governors and Legislators recognize the need to invest in governance of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area in a number of different areas.