Setting her sights on a more equitable and materially secure Oregon, Governor Tina Kotek rolled out her 2025-2027 budget with a clear message: let's keep building on progress. Citing a stable revenue forecast, she confirmed that the budget "does not lay off people or cut services" and doubles down on the state's most pressing needs. "My approach to being your Governor will always be grounded in truth, pragmatism, and a relentless pursuit of equitable outcomes for all Oregonians,” Kotek stated, as per the State of Oregon Governor's Office.
After having crisscrossed through counties and Tribal nations, speaking with local communities, Kotek is ready to steadfastly address homelessness with over $700 million earmarked for the crisis. This includes $217.9 million to continue sheltering the homeless, $188.2 million to aid transitions into housing, and $173.2 million aimed at preventing homelessness in the first place. "The Oregonians who are still spending the night on our streets are relying on statewide support and we cannot afford to allow our progress to stall," Kotek asserted, highlighting the pressing need for these funds, according to the Oregon Governor's Office.
Recognizing the chasmic housing supply gap, Kotek’s plan commits a hefty $1.4 billion to create affordable housing and homeownership avenues, including a new $880 million bond initiative for building affordable homes and supporting first-time buyers. Kotek's budget also unpacks $100 million for developing housing infrastructure to trigger the growth of new affordable and market-rate homes across the state.
The budget also carefully aims to bolster Oregon's behavioral health services with a commitment of more than $330 million. This is to smartly align treatment capacity with workforce capability, closing critical gaps. A portion of this investment, $90 million in General Fund dollars, aims to backfill for the construction of adult mental health and substance use disorder residential facilities.
Kotek hasn’t forgotten the youth. More than $835 million goes towards nurturing the younger generation. This includes a $600 million boost for the State School Fund to ensure better educational outcomes and a $205.5 million targeted packet to mitigate pandemic learning losses, laying a stronger foundation for the state's children and future.
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