Gov. Brown talks forests, PERS reform, more in Bend visit

Gov. Kate Brown stopped in Bend Monday to speak about issues facing Oregon’s forests, but also spoke with NewsChannel 21 about several other topics, from legislative priorities to the Trump administration and her participation in Salem’s Women’s March.

Brown spoke at the Riverhouse Convention Center to kick off the Western Governors’ Association National Forest and Rangeland Management Initiative Workshop. The initiative brings together states and land managers to share best practices and policy options for forest and rangeland management.

She discussed policy issues on wildlife management, specifically how Western governors are going to work with Congress to improve land management in the West.

“Federal public lands account for 60 percent of the total forest lands in Oregon, and we foster strong partnerships with the U.S. Forest Service, local and tribal communities, the forest products industry and conservation interests,” Brown said.

“By taking an ‘all-lands, all-hands’ approach and working together across jurisdictional boundaries, we can support healthy communities, sustain robust rural economies and preserve our natural resources for future generations.”

One of the challenges she’ll have to tackle in that arena is the apparent distance between her and the new administration of President Trump on environmental issues. She listed some priorities she feels she has in common with the new administration.

“Making investments in infrastructure,” Brown said. “Investing in our roads and bridges. Making sure that Highway 97 can be an effective and efficient thoroughfare.”

Brown also said she wants to make sure Central Oregonians have an alternate route in and out of the region in the event of a major earthquake.

The governor also offered her stance on Public Employee Retirement System reform efforts in the face of a large revenue shortfall facing lawmakers when they convene in Salem next month.

“We need to keep our promises to Oregon retirees,” Brown said. “The Supreme Court verified that in their decision last year. I am open to any solution that is legally viable. I don’t want us to end up on the hamster wheel of litigation.”

Brown also spoke about other top priorities she wants to focus on when lawmakers meet, from the crisis in affordable housing to a need to invest in the state’s overwhelmed infrastructure…

“I am absolutely committed to moving forward with a transportation package,” she said. “It is a challenge for businesses in the Central Oregon arena to attract employees because there’s no workforce housing.”

She also briefly gave her take on the women’s marches that took place Saturday across the country and around the world.

“I think it’s critically important that people make their voices heard and that people engage,” Brown said. “And I hope this is just the beginning of a very active period of time in our state and our country where people get engaged, get involved.”

Brown said it’s not enough just to pass emails along — you have to actually get involved.