Bend, OR – Oregon Governor Tina Kotek delivered her first State of the State address to the Legislature on January 13, emphasizing the state’s resilience in the face of significant challenges and outlining her administration’s priorities for the coming years. Speaking to a joint session of the Oregon House and Senate, Kotek struck a tone of both frustration and optimism, acknowledging the state’s ongoing struggles while highlighting efforts to address issues like homelessness, mental health, housing, and wildfire costs.
Kotek began by reflecting on the tumultuous events of the past few years, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the 2020 Labor Day fires, which devastated large portions of the state. “Despite everything, Oregon is still standing,” Kotek said. “Our faith in ourselves as Oregonians remains true, and we have developed new skills and insights to withstand the uncertainties of tomorrow.” She likened the state’s resilience to her experience as a high school track athlete, where the key to success was persistence, even after setbacks.
The Governor acknowledged the critical issues currently facing Oregon, particularly in the areas of housing and homelessness. With the state’s homeless population on the rise, Kotek outlined the goals of her homelessness state of emergency, which she declared upon taking office. The initiative is expected to result in over 3,000 families moving into permanent homes, 24,000 families receiving aid to prevent homelessness, and the creation of 4,800 new shelter beds by June 2025.
Despite this progress, the state continues to grapple with an increasing homelessness crisis. According to data from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the number of homeless individuals in Oregon grew by 13% between January 2023 and January 2024. In her address, Kotek expressed impatience with the pace of progress, stating, “I am… pretty angry that we’re in this predicament at all and that we can’t move faster to get more housing built.” She called on lawmakers to “be bolder” in their efforts to address the housing shortage.
The Governor also highlighted Oregon’s struggles with mental health and addiction services, which have left many individuals without adequate care. Kotek acknowledged that improvements are being made but emphasized that more needs to be done, particularly to expand treatment options and enhance coordination between shelters and mental health providers. Her budget proposal includes $90 million for additional treatment beds and $50 million to recruit and retain mental health workers.
In addition to addressing homelessness and mental health, Kotek touched on education reform. She proposed changes to the way the state allocates funding for schools, emphasizing accountability and direct intervention when districts fail to meet educational goals. “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 was another key theme of the Governor’s speech, as she urged lawmakers to focus on Oregon’s vulnerability to wildfires. Following a devastating 2024 fire season that cost the state over $350 million in firefighting efforts, Kotek proposed setting aside $150 million of the state’s Rainy Day Fund for future wildfire expenses. She described the fund as “money for a Very Very Bad Smoky Day,” underscoring the ongoing threat of climate change.
Kotek’s budget also includes proposals aimed at improving the efficiency of state agencies, reducing hiring delays, and enhancing transparency in state rulemaking processes. While the Governor only briefly touched on transportation, she acknowledged the ongoing efforts by lawmakers to pass a comprehensive transportation package in the upcoming legislative session.
In response to Kotek’s address, Republican leaders criticized her administration’s handling of key issues. House Minority Leader Christine Drazan and Senate Minority Leader Daniel Bonham issued a joint rebuttal, accusing Kotek of perpetuating failed policies and contributing to rising costs of living in Oregon. Bonham described the Governor’s address as a “flowery picture” that did not reflect the reality of life in Oregon under her leadership.
Despite partisan differences, Kotek urged continued collaboration, stressing the importance of focusing on the future. “Let’s focus on that horizon — and be sure to keep our feet firmly planted on the road of hard work and partnership,” she concluded.
As Oregon enters the new year, Kotek’s message remains clear: the state faces numerous challenges, but with continued determination and unity, Oregon can overcome these hurdles and build a more resilient future for its residents.
