UPDATE (12:18 p.m. PST) — Oregon Gov. Kate Brown kicked off the 2018 legislative session in Salem on Monday with her State of the State address. She focused on the state's need to boost workforce training.
Oregon is in the midst of an economic recovery, the governor said, but too many people are still struggling in the state. And while the state is seeing job growth in a variety of sectors — including advanced manufacturing, technology and health care — there are often not enough skilled workers to fill the positions.
“So, we have these good-paying jobs sitting vacant,” Brown said. “At the same time, we have Oregonians who want to provide better lives for themselves and their families. It’s time to close this skills gap.”
Related: Oregon Graduation Rate Remains Near National Basement
Brown announced she is launching what she’s coined “Future Ready Oregon” to provide skills and job training to students and adults. The program would dedicate $300 million to career technical education jobs, but not until the 2019-2021 budget. If re-elected, Brown said she would also emphasize making hands-on learning available in every school district.
“We should be preparing our high school graduates for these jobs,” Brown said. “For some, even right out of high school.”
The state — with one of the lowest high school graduation rates in the country — isn’t doing enough to prepare students and future employees, Brown said.
“For some, the next step is college, and for others, the next step is their first job,” she said. “But currently, one out of every four job openings in Oregon’s tech industry is filled from out of state.”
The governor also promised a focus on increasing the affordable housing supply in the state.
“It can be just as difficult to find housing in Pendleton as it is in Portland,” Brown said.
Missing from the governor’s speech was any mention of what has been considered one of the Democrat’s top priorities: a cap-and-trade system to curb the state’s carbon emissions. Top Democratic officials recently cast doubt the Legislature could pass the ambitious policy in the short legislative session.
Republicans were also quick to point out the governor only briefly mentioned the crisis with the state’s public pension system.
Related: More Details Emerge In Oregon's Cap-And-Trade Climate Program
House Leader Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, also noted Brown did not touch on any of the problems plaguing Oregon’s health authority and foster care system.
“When is our state government going to get serious about solving the real problems that are staring right at us?” McLane said in a statement.
Brown stressed in her speech that while Washington, D.C., is stymied in partisan gridlock, Oregon will continue to work together.
“This legislature is more diverse than ever — and a more accurate representation of our state. This diversity is a major asset,” Brown said.
Brown said the state would continue to fight to keep its public lands public. And, she said, Oregon will continue to be a welcoming place for immigrants.