Oregon AFL-CIO Convention Remarks

September 5, 2025

Thank you for that warm welcome. It's an honor to be here with you.

I haven’t had a chance to join you in convention in a while, so it’s great to be back with you. From my first convention in 2009 – when you named me AFL-CIO Legislator of the Year – to these turbulent times we live in today, I have appreciated your commitment to lifting up Oregonians, your partnership in progressive policymaking, and your friendship in helping me do the hard work of public service.

When I look across this room, I see hard working Oregonians who choose to take part in something greater than themselves. It reminds me of the values my family instilled in me. My grandparents came from Eastern Europe seeking a better life. They didn't speak English when they arrived, but they understood that in America, if you work hard, you ought to be able to get ahead.

You know my story - I got my start in advocacy work at Oregon Food Bank, inspired by their mission to end hunger, not just feed people. Something learned then continues to shape how I govern today:  Families don’t ask for food assistance because they want to have others do something for them. They end up at a food pantry because the system is rigged against them.

Long term, ultimately, what working families need isn’t charity – it's change. We need an economy that works for the people who make it run.

We have made progress on this front together since I first ran for public office.

Together, we banned employers from holding captive audience meetings. We made “card check” elections easier. We made it possible for workers to collect unemployment during a lock out. And we made sure firefighters experiencing higher rates of cancer can get the benefits they deserve.

We raised the minimum wage statewide. We expanded paid sick leave. We helped workers have predictable scheduling. And we created the best paid family leave program in the country.

We implemented staffing ratios for nurses and healthcare workers. We capped the cost of insulin and required insurance companies to pay for life-saving treatments. And we have done everything in our power to make sure Oregonians have affordable health care. And the work goes on.

My administration is working every day to tackle the homelessness crisis. Oregon is adding 1700 new shelter beds and expanding the availability of addiction counselors and treatment beds. We have made historic investments in K12 schools, early literacy, and summer learning.

I’ve signed bills to boost BOLI funding, extend prevailing wage to offsite fabrication, go after wage theft, and take action on workplace violence in healthcare settings.

 

And – thanks to your hard work and leadership – we made it possible for striking workers to access unemployment benefits, because no one should have to choose between fighting for a fair contract and putting food on the table.

These achievements were not by accident. We did this together. Because all of you in this room never stopped fighting for a better future for working people.

But we need to be honest with each other. Even with the progress we’ve made together, the cost of living keeps going up. Wages aren't keeping pace. Families are working harder than ever, but Oregonians are falling further behind.

There are still far too many people on the streets. It’s still much too hard to get treatment for addiction. Oregon kids have struggled to bounce back after the pandemic.

People across our state are frustrated. I’m frustrated, too. Really frustrated. The challenges ahead of us feel daunting. And Trump’s chaos is making things so much worse. We're facing a full assault from Washington.

Attacks on immigrant families. Attacks on voting rights and workforce standards. And, the “Big Beautiful Bill” taught us that billionaires are making out like bandits. The Trump Administration is coming after everything we believe in. In these moments, our power is not in panic. It’s in our resilience. Our ability to organize and fight for a better future, together.

 

So we've got news for the folks in D.C.: Oregon is not staying quiet. And we’re not backing down.

When they come for our neighbors and coworkers, you can count on us to speak out. When they try to roll back our progress, we’re sure as hell going to fight back. And we’ll do it together.

We’re not just fighting for decent wages and benefits, for this policy or that one – we're fighting for the soul of this country. To protect the American dream for future generations.

Here's what I believe:

Every Oregonian who works hard should be able to afford a home. Every parent should be able to take their kid to the doctor without worrying about the bill. Every teacher should work in a great school. Every frontline worker at the DMV or in county mental health should be able to retire with dignity after their years of service.

That's not too much to ask. That's the Oregon I want us to build together.

An Oregon where working families don’t just survive, they thrive. Where a hard day’s work always pays a fair wage no matter what you look like or where you were born. Where prosperity isn't a privilege for the few, but a promise for all.

That's why I speak out when workers are on the picket line demanding a fair deal. It’s why I keep pushing to build more affordable housing.

The road ahead won't be easy. We're going to face more attacks from Washington. But I’ll always be on your side. Because when we stand together, we win together. 

Thank you.