Tina Kotek

Gov. Tina Kotek said Tuesday she plans to spearhead a statewide conversation over how to address the myriad of systemic challenges plaguing the state’s public school system.

OPB’s “Think Out Loud” traveled to Salem to talk with Gov. Kotek about housing, behavioral health, the 2024 legislative session and more.

Kotek is getting ready to dole out $240 million that could lead to more than $40 billion in investments.

Eugene’s mayor is calling on Oregon’s governor and the state health agency to keep her city’s sole hospital in operation.

At the end of the 2023 legislative session, Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek used her veto power to nix state funding for two studies, totaling $600,000, intended to research the impact of Oregon’s laws prohibiting prostitution. In doing so, she stepped into a centuries-old debate about whether or not the world’s oldest profession can ever be entered into voluntarily — or if it is a legitimate form of work and should instead be decriminalized.

The payment represents a major piece of the $260 million lawmakers set aside for the industry this year.

Gov. Tina Kotek has previously denied the claim that she fired former OLCC Director Steve Marks earlier this year at the behest of a controversial cannabis entrepreneur.

The state has spent about $25 million housing 462 kids in foster care in hotels since 2018. State of Oregon officials regularly spend more than $2,560 per kid, per night (which includes lodging, staffing and food) to house a child in temporary lodging.

Lawmakers have fewer than three weeks left to work through their differences.

With both parties unwilling to budge on a bill tackling abortion and transgender care, the 2023 session appears stuck.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek announced plans Thursday to create what she’s calling the Early Literacy Educator Preparation Council.

Gov. Tina Kotek has not been able to convince Republican lawmakers to return to Salem.