SALEM, Ore. (AP) — Speaking on the opening day of the Legislature’s short session, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown made a case for increased education funding and a focus on technical education.
Brown Monday said one out of every five jobs for advanced manufacturing are filled from out of state, and that state economists project 27,000 high-wage, high-demand job openings each year through 2024. The gap between job skills that Oregonians have and what businesses need, Brown said, should be closed.
Some Democrats also want to create a cap on greenhouse gas emissions, but it’s unclear if that can be accomplished in the 35-day legislative session. Republican lawmakers say bills should be limited to those that make small policy adjustments and budget fixes, pointing out that the session must end by March 11.