Oregon's First Lady Aimee Kotek Wilson is stepping up her role in public service with an increased security detail and new staff members all funded by the state. Gov. Tina Kotek's office confirmed Monday that Kotek Wilson will attend an out-of-state conference in Salt Lake City with two staffers and a squad of state police troopers for protection. The gathering, organized by the National Governors Association, is a common meeting for first spouses but Kotek Wilson's upgraded security comes as a notable addition to the event's usual protocol.

Previously receiving occasional security for public duties, as reported by OregonLive, this month marks a departure with Kotek Wilson now boasting a consistent detail from Oregon State Police when representing the governor's office. Elisabeth Shepard, spokesperson for Gov. Kotek, stated the elevated protection was enabled by "existing resources" from the governor's office budget. Yet specifics on the cost and the nature of the new security measures haven't been disclosed.

In tandem with heightened security, Kotek Wilson will also be accompanied by Meliah Masiba, an adviser who recently transitioned to her role from being the legislative director at Oregon's Department of Administrative Services. According to Jefferson Public Radio, unlike many other first spouses, Kotek Wilson's need for a new adviser and routine protection from OSP's Dignitary Protection Unit has led to her incurring additional expenses that others in her position typically do not.

The implementation of these changes coincides with the growing influence and presence of the First Lady within the governor's office. This dynamic change that has reportedly led to the impending exit of three top aides in the governor's circle is evidencing a restructuring in how Oregon approaches the role of its first lady. The Governor gave the direction to consistently provide protective security to the First Lady herself, intending to strengthen her capacity when engaged in official duties, as per a statement by the governor's office shared by Oregon Public Broadcasting. The recent staffing additions and scaled security not only highlight Kotek Wilson's evolving portfolio but also reflect a new cost of administration to the state's taxpayers.