From her first public appearance as Governor-elect on November 10th to her first public remarks at the Oregon Business Plan Summit on December 12th, Governor Tina Kotek has remained consistent about her top priorities in her first year in office. I have been working on it.
- housing and the homeless.
- Mental health and substance abuse treatment.
- It focuses on public schools, especially on reading delays.
But it relies heavily on the two-year state budget she proposes for the cycle. The budget cycle could result in $3 billion less tax collection and lottery revenue than the current cycle.
She also had to deal with competing schemes over homeless money. One was provided by her Ted Wheeler, mayor of Portland, and her other was provided by mayors of cities across the state.
As of Jan. 13, Kotek has not released details about her own plans, which are subject to legislative approval.
Congress will make two more revenue projections in mid-February and mid-May before producing the final budget for the next two-year cycle.
One of incoming Gov. Tina Kotek’s three priorities is her plans to build residential units in Oregon. The state has a severe housing shortage, exacerbating everything from homelessness to cost of living.
Legislators are also expected to address the issue of housing supply. By one estimate, Oregon has been short of 111,000 homes over the past decade, half needed by people with below-average incomes in the area, and the number of homes under construction has not kept up with current population growth. Hmm. Two state agencies will soon publish their studies.
Although her plan includes a “land-use element,” Kotek notes that the basic principle behind Oregon’s 50-year-old land-use planning program is the creation of urban growth boundaries that separate development from agricultural and forest land. He said he would never lose it.
Kotek said just as important as the new money is the focus on how quickly the money can be channeled to help government agencies and community providers deliver their services.
During his first year in office, Kotek will visit each of Oregon’s 36 counties and hear community input.
“I work to bridge the divide in our state,” Kotek said in November. We work with people in Oregon who want to find it.”
All this against the backdrop of massive construction at the capitol in Salem. In recent years, the Capitol has been largely empty due to restrictions resulting from his COVID-19 pandemic. These restrictions have been lifted, but his 1938 Capitol in Maine is closed for seismic retrofitting. The House and Senate office wings reopened on his December 5th. Legislators will continue to use their offices and hearing rooms will be open to the public, but much of the 2023 Congressional proceedings are expected to be conducted via video conference.
The House of Representatives will be able to use the Chamber of Commerce in the main building of the Capitol. Not so sure for the Senate. Since he has only 30 senators and 60 congressmen, the Senate could use its hearings as a chamber, as it did when the Capitol was damaged by an earthquake in 1993. rice field.
However, the Senate only met in the chamber for a short time that year.
Launched in February 2015, Oregon Capital Insider provides a convenient source of expert news for individuals and businesses seeking a deeper understanding of state government trends, issues and people. Contact Oregon Capital Insider at oregoncapitalinsider.com or 541-383-0367.
Gov. Tina Kotek took office on Monday, January 9, and took the oath of office at a swearing-in ceremony…
