Attends Chamber of Medford & Jackson County event; also touches on housing, students’ academic scores

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek discussed topics ranging from wildfire preparedness and recovery to education and proposed Medicaid cuts by Congress while visiting Medford Tuesday afternoon. 

Speaking at the Chamber of Medford & Jackson County building on East 8th Street, Kotek began by discussing continued efforts to rebuild and strengthen Southern Oregon following the Almeda and South Obenchain fires in 2020, as well as preparing for the approaching wildfire season. 

“We’re not going to leave any community behind in the full recovery of those fires nearly five years ago,” the Democrat said. “As your governor, it is very important that we do everything we can to get dedicated dollars to not only fight wildfires, but help communities be safer and more resilient.” 

The governor spent the afternoon meeting with community members impacted by the 2020 wildfires following the press meeting. 

Kotek reiterated her support for diverting a portion of Oregon’s “kicker” rebate to cover the cost of wildfires in the state. 

There is a forecasted $1.6 billion in kicker funds for 2025, and Kotek proposed diverting $1 billion toward mitigation and fire suppression. 

“We could be putting aside close to a billion dollars for fighting fires and making communities more resilient while most Oregonians will get their kicker,” she said. 

Another key topic the governor discussed was proposed Medicaid cuts being considered by Congress.

“I’m really concerned about the conversations in Congress right now; I think everyone in Oregon should be concerned,” Kotek said. “We have 1.4 million Oregonians who depend on the Oregon Health Plan. 

“The cuts that they’re talking about in (Washington) D.C. will impact hundreds of thousands of Oregonians, if not millions,” she added. 

The cuts proposed by Congress would also affect more than 700,000 Oregonians who use SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits. 

“The federal government needs to send taxpayer money back to Oregon through SNAP, through Medicaid, to help Oregonians who need it,” Kotek said. “We know how to run those programs. We need the federal government to pay the bill.” 

Kotek also addressed the annual national test scores in the state, which showed Oregon’s elementary and middle school students ranked near the bottom in math and reading despite increased spending on education from state lawmakers. 

“What Oregon spends per student is about average — middle of the pack — nationally, but our outcomes are not where they need to be,” she said. “We’re going to fight for money, but we’re also going to fight for accountability.”

Kotek discussed the statewide and local focus on building more housing for residents in the Beaver State. 

“We need more housing construction across our state if we’re going to have strong, vibrant communities,” she said. “I have some bills as well as some investment proposals to say ‘how can we build more housing everywhere in our state?’”

Ahead of Oregon legislative session adjourning on June 29, Kotek reiterated focuses on building more housing, bringing in funding for wildfires with kicker funds and funding the state’s school districts while holding them accountable. 

“Let’s stay focused on the things that bring us together and not divide us … There are some amazing people in Southern Oregon doing great work right now. Let’s support them,” she said. 

Reach reporter James Sloan at james.sloan@rv-times.com.