AOC Annual Conference Remarks

Good morning, everybody. 

I want to give a special thanks to President Bethell for her leadership of the AOC over this past year, and for initiating the quarterly check-ins with me and AOC leaders to discuss priorities and find ways for the state and counties to partner together to serve all Oregonians. Thank you, Commissioner Bethell. I look forward to continued collaboration with incoming AOC leadership in the months to come. 

At last year’s conference when I spoke, I was just two counties shy from completing my commitment to visiting with Oregonians in every county on my One Oregon Listening Tour. One year later, I am proud to have completed the Listening Tour and also fulfilled a commitment this calendar year to visit each of the nine federally recognized sovereign Tribal nations, which took me back to almost a third of counties this year. 

As with my broader county visits, every Tribal nation welcomed the First Lady and me with warmth and generosity. I am so grateful for the hospitality and willingness of our Tribes to engage in the meaningful conversations that are foundational to strengthening our government-to-government relationships. What I’ve taken away from these visits is the profound value each Tribal government brings to our local communities and to many Oregonians, regardless of Tribal citizenship. 

The conversations I have had with Oregonians across our state over the past two years have made an invaluable impact on my ability to represent and advocate for the needs of our entire state. These conversations have helped me focus investment recommendations that will move the needle on our state’s most pressing challenges: housing and homelessness, behavioral health, and education and early learning. 

Looking out at this fabulous audience, I not only see our elected county leaders, but also many of the staff that are the dedicated professionals who keep our counties moving forward. Thank you for all of the time, energy, and coordination with the state as we all strive to serve our communities together.

Yesterday’s revenue forecast, and the stability of our economy, gave us a path to continue making progress on key priorities. Right now, my office is hard at work developing my recommended budget and legislative priorities. And while my recommended budget won’t be coming out until December 2nd, I can assure you that I remain laser-focused on outcomes, successful partnerships, and leaving no part of our state behind.

In 2025, my legislative focus will continue to be on the issues that matter most to Oregonians: ensuring access to affordable housing, helping folks move off the streets and into shelters, addressing our state’s addiction crisis, and improving early literacy and education outcomes for our youngest Oregonians. 

And, of course, Oregonians expect government to keep our highway systems safe and functional, which requires sustainable funding for road maintenance – from fixing potholes, clearing brush, and keeping rest stops open, to clearing accidents and sending winter response teams out quickly to clear roads when a storm hits. 

Next year, the Oregon Legislature must provide additional funding for the Oregon Department of Transportation, or the agency will be forced to eliminate 1,000 positions. That is a fifth of the agency. This same shortfall means that as of 2027, we will only be paving the Interstates and far too many highways will go unplowed in the winter. It is incumbent on all of us to ensure a sustainable path forward for funding our state’s transportation needs. 

A successful transportation package must:

We have a lot of work ahead, and we have to keep doing that work together to be successful. I know you have to pay for essential transportation infrastructure in your counties, so let’s keep talking.

 

Let me close with this:

In the friendships I have fostered across our beautiful state since becoming your Governor, I know that good people, in every corner, are working tirelessly to shape a better future for their families and communities. And you are all a big part of that. Let us build on this shared resolve and stay committed to collaboration for the common good. 

We are strong, resilient, and unified by our shared belief in a brighter tomorrow. As your Governor, I will always work hard to uplift and protect our wonderful state, boldly and with perseverance, and in authentic partnership with you and other elected and community leaders. 

Thank you.