Bend, OR — Governor Tina Kotek delivered her first State of the State address to a joint session of the Oregon Legislature on Monday, striking a tone of both frustration and optimism as she outlined the state’s current challenges and the steps she believes are necessary to address them. Speaking before lawmakers, Attorney General Dan Rayfield, Secretary of State Tobias Read, Labor Commissioner Christina Stephenson, and leaders of Oregon’s nine tribal nations, Kotek focused on resilience and urged the state to continue working together to overcome difficulties.

Kotek began her address by reflecting on the hardships Oregon has faced over the past five years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the devastating Labor Day fires of 2020. She noted that despite these catastrophic events, Oregon has remained resilient. “Despite everything, Oregon is still standing, our faith in ourselves as Oregonians remains true, and we have developed new skills and insights to withstand the uncertainties of tomorrow,” Kotek said.

Drawing on her experience as a former track athlete, Kotek likened the challenges of leadership to a 400-meter relay race, where success requires persistence and practice even when mistakes are made. “The choices we make as leaders will have a ripple effect on generations to come,” Kotek said, stressing the importance of unity and working together to improve the lives of Oregonians across the state.

Focus on Housing and Homelessness

A major focus of Kotek’s speech was addressing the housing crisis and homelessness, issues that have dominated her first two years in office. Kotek highlighted the steps her administration has taken, including declaring a state of emergency on homelessness, increasing funding, and aiming to move 3,330 families off the streets into permanent housing by the end of June. However, she acknowledged that the problem persists, with new data showing a 13% increase in homelessness in Oregon between 2023 and 2024.

In a visit to Astoria, Kotek noted signs of progress, citing the creation of new shelter beds and affordable housing in Clatsop County. Despite these efforts, she emphasized the need for more housing construction and greater speed in addressing the issue. “I am impatient about the pace of progress, and some days just pretty angry that we’re in this predicament at all,” Kotek said. “Let’s be bolder. Let’s build more housing.”

Mental Health and Addiction Services

The governor also addressed Oregon’s struggles with mental health and addiction treatment, calling for more resources to address the pain experienced by Oregonians in schools, homes, and on the streets. She acknowledged the efforts of community providers but underscored the need for expanded services. Kotek’s budget proposal includes $90 million to add 363 treatment beds and $50 million to support workforce retention and recruitment in the mental health field.

She also referenced ongoing issues at the Oregon State Hospital, where long delays in mental health treatment have created a bottleneck. Improving coordination between mental health services and shelter providers is a priority for the administration as a means to alleviate this issue.

Education and Accountability

Kotek also highlighted education reform as a key priority, emphasizing the need for accountability in how funds are allocated to Oregon’s school districts. While she outlined plans to change the way the state calculates base funding for schools, she made it clear that she would not treat these funds as a blank check. “When a district’s numbers show failure for their students, there will be help and attention — not voluntarily requested but required,” Kotek said.

Climate Resilience and Wildfire Management

Addressing climate change, Kotek warned of the ongoing threat of wildfires, citing the $350 million spent on fighting fires in 2024. She proposed reserving $150 million from the state’s Rainy Day fund for future wildfire costs, calling it “money for a Very Very Bad Smoky Day.” Her budget also includes measures to improve climate resilience, which she said would help protect the state’s communities from increasingly frequent natural disasters.

State Government Efficiency

Kotek also spoke about efforts to improve the efficiency of state government, noting that since she took office, the state has reduced staff vacancy rates by one-third and streamlined hiring processes. She emphasized the importance of implementing audit recommendations and improving transparency in state rulemaking.

Republican Response

In response to Kotek’s speech, Republican leaders criticized her administration’s handling of key issues, particularly housing, homelessness, and the cost of living. House Minority Leader Christine Drazan and Senate Minority Leader Daniel Bonham recorded a joint video rebuttal, arguing that Kotek’s policies have exacerbated problems rather than solving them.

Bonham described the governor’s speech as overly optimistic and disconnected from reality, claiming that Kotek’s leadership had resulted in rising costs for food, fuel, and housing. “If you look at her 10 years as speaker of the House and first two as governor, what you’re faced with is abject failure,” Bonham said, adding that her policies have led many Oregonians to leave the state.

Looking Ahead

As Kotek outlined the state’s priorities for the coming legislative session, she emphasized the need for collaboration and urged lawmakers to set aside partisan differences to address the pressing issues facing Oregon. In particular, she pointed to the upcoming debate over a transportation funding package as a key opportunity for bipartisan cooperation.

Despite the challenges, Kotek expressed confidence in Oregon’s ability to meet them head-on, urging Oregonians to remain focused on the road ahead. “Let’s focus on that horizon — and be sure to keep our feet firmly planted on the road of hard work and partnership,” Kotek concluded.