In her first State of the State address on Monday, Oregon Governor Tina Kotek expressed a mix of frustration and hope, urging lawmakers to tackle the state’s persistent issues with renewed resilience. The speech, delivered to a joint session of the House and Senate, also included Attorney General Dan Rayfield, Secretary of State Tobias Read, Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson, and several leaders of Oregon’s nine tribal nations. Kotek’s remarks reflected the challenges Oregon has faced over the past few years, drawing attention to the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Labor Day fires of 2020, which burned over 850,000 acres and destroyed thousands of homes.
“Despite these past hardships, Oregon stands strong,” Kotek said. “Our faith in ourselves remains unwavering, and we’ve gained new strengths to face the challenges ahead.”
Using her own experience as a high school track athlete, Kotek shared a metaphor about the relay race, where a team must pass the baton. She recalled how sometimes, despite missed marks or dropped batons, the only way forward was to keep trying. “The choices we make as leaders will ripple through future generations, shaping their health, prosperity, and resilience,” she said, urging lawmakers to focus on one unified goal: improving the everyday lives of Oregonians.
Much of Kotek’s speech centered on housing and homelessness, key issues she has emphasized throughout her tenure. The Governor highlighted her administration’s efforts to address homelessness, with initiatives aimed at helping 3,330 families move into permanent homes, preventing homelessness for 24,000 families, and adding nearly 5,000 new shelter beds by the end of June.
However, Kotek acknowledged that the battle against homelessness is far from over. Data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development indicated that Oregon’s homelessness rate had risen by 13% from 2023, totaling nearly 23,000 people without homes in January 2024.
“I’m impatient with the slow pace of progress, and some days, I’m just angry we’re still in this situation,” Kotek admitted. “Let’s do more, let’s be bolder, let’s build more housing.”
The Governor also addressed the state’s mental health and addiction services, stressing that there is far too much suffering on Oregon’s streets, in schools, and homes. She highlighted the importance of coordinating shelter services with mental health treatment to prevent further crises. “We need more efforts in more places to tackle these issues,” Kotek said. She proposed adding 363 treatment beds with a budget allocation of $90 million, alongside a $50 million fund to retain and recruit workers in the mental health field.
Kotek’s speech touched on the need for improvements in education funding as well. She outlined a plan to adjust how Oregon calculates its base funding for K-12 education, emphasizing that this funding should not be a “blank check.” She called for increased accountability from school districts, with a focus on improving student outcomes where necessary.
Another major issue highlighted by Kotek was climate resilience, especially in light of the devastating wildfires that swept across Oregon in 2024. The Governor recommended setting aside $150 million from the state’s Rainy Day Fund to cover future wildfire suppression costs. The proposal is part of a broader effort to address the ongoing threat of climate change, including mitigation and fire readiness programs.
“Climate change is here, and we must act,” Kotek said. “Oregon needs dedicated reserves for wildfire suppression and consistent funding for mitigation programs.”
While Kotek’s address was met with some optimism about the progress being made, it was not without its critics. Oregon’s Republican leadership, including Senate Minority Leader Daniel Bonham and House Minority Leader Christine Drazan, issued a rebuttal shortly after the speech. They criticized Kotek’s administration for what they called “failed policies” that have worsened the cost of living, housing shortages, and increased homelessness.
Drazan voiced her frustration, stating that Kotek’s speech lacked a “compelling vision,” accusing the Governor of managing mediocrity without delivering measurable outcomes. “Oregonians deserve better,” she said. Bonham echoed these sentiments, claiming that Kotek’s leadership had failed to address the state’s most pressing concerns and blaming the current administration for driving people out of the state.
As Oregon grapples with its most significant challenges, Kotek’s call for unity and bold action resonates. Whether lawmakers heed her message of resilience and partnership remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the road ahead is uncertain, and the solutions to Oregon’s crises will require unwavering effort and collaboration across all levels of government.