32.2%

#46 of 50

Tina Kotek

Oregon D | 1st term

2023-01-09Took Office 3 yrs, 5 moIn Office 263Metrics Scored 532 / 1653Total Points

Section A: Governance

223/300

74%

Section B: State Outcomes

379/975

39%

Section C: Oath Fidelity

-70 (-378 to +378)

Section A — Governance 223/300

9 subsections evaluating executive performance: budget execution, legislative relations, appointments, emergency management, transparency, ethics, program management, federal relations, and constituent service.

Fiscal Responsibility — 31/45 (69%) 15 metrics

On-time budget submission

Submitted $32.1B 2023-25 Governor's Recommended Budget on time (Jan 2023). Submitted $39.3B general fund 2025-27 budget Dec 2024. Oregon uses biennial budgets; both delivered within constitutional deadlines.

OR DAS Budget Division; OR Legislature Bill Tracking; Oregon Capital Chronicle Jan 2023

Budget accuracy — revenue forecast vs actual

Revenue exceeded 2023-25 forecast by >2%, triggering record $5.61B kicker rebate (constitutional requirement when collections exceed forecast by 2%+). OEA forecasts generally accurate but income-tax-only structure creates volatility.

OR Office of Economic Analysis Revenue Forecasts; KGW kicker reporting Aug 2023

Rainy day fund management

Rainy Day Fund ~$2.5B (capped at 7.5% of general fund). Education Stability Fund healthy. Record $5.61B kicker rebate returned to taxpayers (2023 filing year) — median taxpayer received ~$1,000. Constitutional kicker prevents saving surpluses.

OR State Treasury Rainy Day Fund Reports; Oregon Capital Chronicle Aug 2023; OPB kicker reporting

State credit rating trajectory

Oregon holds Aa1 (Moody's), AA+ (S&P), AA+ (Fitch) — stable outlook. Moody's affirmed Aa1 GO rating during Kotek's tenure. Strong but not AAA; PERS liability prevents top-tier rating. Ratings stable, no upgrades or downgrades.

Moody's OR Aa1 GO affirm; S&P AA+ Oregon; Fitch AA+ Oregon 2024

Pension funding ratio trajectory

PERS funded at 78.8% — assets $82.4B vs liabilities $106.4B, UAL $24B (2023 valuation). Contributions rising from $5.26B (2023-25) toward projected $9.35B by 2029 biennium — 80% increase. SB 849 provided modest rate relief (1.68 ppt reduction). PERS remains Oregon's largest structural fiscal challenge.

OR PERS 2023 Actuarial Valuation; SB 849; Ashland Chronicle PERS reporting

Debt per capita trajectory

OR debt per capita ~$2,200, middle range nationally. State GO bonds well-managed through Treasury Debt Management Division. Total state bonded debt stable relative to GDP (~$285B). No unusual new debt issuances under Kotek beyond routine capital needs.

OR Debt Management Division; Census Population Estimates; OR Treasury Bond Reports

CAFR/ACFR published on time

FY2023 ACFR completed with unmodified opinion (clean audit). Auditor report dated Jan 19, 2024. Published through DAS Statewide Accounting. Four material weaknesses identified (2023-001, -002, -005, -006) but overall financial statements fairly presented per GAAP.

OR DAS ACFR FY2023; Secretary of State Statewide Single Audit Report 2024-14

Audit findings — material weaknesses

FY2023 single audit identified 4 material weaknesses (items 2023-001, -002, -005, -006) across ~$20.4B in federal financial assistance. Overall unmodified opinion maintained. Weaknesses were procedural, not indicative of systemic fraud. Secretary of State audits found no catastrophic failures.

OR Secretary of State Single Audit 2024-14; DAS Financial Records

Federal grant fund accounting

~$20.4B in federal assistance (FY2023) accounted for per single audit. ARPA HCBS leveraged $508.6M federal match for total $814.3M expenditure. No suspended or clawed-back grants. IIJA infrastructure allocation >$5B over 5 years on track. Federal funds for wildfires, transportation, energy secured.

OR Single Audit Reports FY2023; USASpending.gov — Oregon; IIJA Oregon allocations

Anti-fraud controls — federal programs

Inherited massive Employment Dept pandemic UI fraud from Brown era. Frances Online modernization ($106M project) launched March 2024, replacing 1992-era legacy system — includes stronger identity verification and fraud detection. Pandemic-era programs expired; fraud reporting shifted to regular UI. New Paid Leave Oregon system also targeted by identity theft.

OR Employment Dept Fraud Report 2023; Frances Online launch; OED modernization reports

Tax revenue vs expenditure alignment

Oregon has no sales tax — relies heavily on personal income tax (>70% of general fund), creating revenue volatility. 2023-25 revenues exceeded forecast, triggering $5.61B kicker. 2025-27 proposed budget is $39.3B general fund (17% increase over 2023-25). Structural balance maintained but kicker prevents saving surpluses for downturns.

OR DAS Budget Reports; OEA Revenue Forecasts; Oregon Capital Chronicle

Capital budget execution rate

Capital projects proceeding at standard pace. $376M emergency housing package (SB 1530/1537, 2024) for infrastructure, roads, and land acquisition. I-5 Rose Quarter project ($1.5-1.9B total) advancing in phases. Deer Ridge Correctional reopening funded ($17M + 127 positions). IIJA broadband and transportation capital underway.

OR DAS Capital Budget; SB 1530/1537 (2024); ODOT Rose Quarter; DOC budget review

Vendor/contractor oversight

DAS procurement oversight functioning without major scandals. Frances Online IT modernization ($106M) delivered on schedule via vendor partnership. $376M housing package procurement proceeding. No documented vendor fraud, bid-rigging, or contractor abuse under Kotek administration.

OR DAS Procurement Records; OED Modernization Program reports

Federal funding maximization

IIJA total >$5B over 5 years including ~$412M flexible ODOT funds. Secured $450M Reconnecting Communities grant for Rose Quarter (later partially rescinded by Trump admin). Intel received $8.5B federal CHIPS Act for Hillsboro expansion. EPA awarded $86.6M to Oregon (2024). PNWH2 hydrogen hub up to $1B for region. Natural resources: 156 awards totaling $350M.

USASpending.gov — Oregon; IIJA Formula; CHIPS Act Intel; EPA; OR Gov IIJA page

Program eligibility verification systems

Oregon ONE eligibility system modernization ongoing. Medicaid unwinding redeterminations proceeding through Coordinated Care Organizations. Oregon Health Plan serving ~1.4M enrollees. DHS program integrity reviews standard. Frances Online UI benefits migration (March 2024) includes identity verification upgrades replacing 1992-era system.

OR DHS Program Integrity Reports; CMS Reviews — Oregon; Frances Online launch

Legislative Relations — 24/39 (62%) 13 metrics

Signature legislation enacted

Signed SB 4 (Oregon CHIPS Act, $210M semiconductor incentives, $115M to Intel Hillsboro). Signed HB 4002 recriminalizing drug possession (reversing Measure 110). Signed $376M emergency housing package (SB 1530/1537). EO 23-02 declared first-ever homelessness state of emergency. Signed HB 2001 housing needs analysis reform. Significant legislative output but mixed results.

OR Legislature Bill Tracking; SB 4; HB 4002; SB 1530; EO 23-02

Veto override rate

Zero vetoes overridden. Democratic supermajority in both chambers makes override attempts from the minority unlikely. Kotek's prior role as House Speaker (2013-2023, longest-serving in OR history) gives her strong legislative relationships that minimize veto confrontations.

OR Legislature Journal; Governor's Veto Records 2023-2025

Bipartisan bills signed

SB 1530 housing package passed with strong bipartisan margins (21-7 Senate, 51-6 House). HB 4002 drug recriminalization passed by wide bipartisan margins. SB 4 semiconductor incentives had bipartisan support. D supermajority limits necessity for GOP votes, but housing and public safety bills drew crossover.

OR Legislature Vote Records 2023-2025; SB 1530 vote tallies; HB 4002 passage

Special sessions called

Called 2024 special session focused on housing/homelessness emergency — passed $376M housing package efficiently. No frivolous or unnecessary special sessions. Regular sessions in 2023 (long) and 2025 (long) handled major legislation including drug recriminalization, semiconductor incentives, and education accountability.

OR Governor's Office; Legislature Session Records 2023-2025

Executive orders — legal challenges

EO 23-02 (Jan 2023 homelessness emergency) — no successful legal challenges; extended twice via EO 24-02 and EO 25-01. Wildfire emergency declarations (July 2024, July 2025) legally sound. Drug recriminalization done through legislation (HB 4002) rather than executive order, avoiding legal risk. No court invalidation of any EO.

OR Governor's Executive Orders; EO 23-02, 24-02, 25-01; Court Records

Line-item veto usage

Oregon governor does not have line-item veto authority (OR Constitution Art. V Ã‚Â§15b). Standard veto power only. Kotek used standard veto authority sparingly given D supermajority alignment. Budget negotiations handled legislatively rather than through veto threats.

OR Constitution Art. V Ã‚Â§15b; Governor's Veto Records

Regulatory burden change

Oregon has nation's strictest land use system (Urban Growth Boundaries since 1973). Kotek's HB 2001 attempts to streamline housing via mandatory Housing Needs Analysis and middle housing zoning. But added new regulations: rent stabilization, gun storage requirements, expanded employment rules. Goal of 36,000 homes/year vs ~15,000 actual. Net regulatory burden remains heavy despite housing deregulation efforts.

OR LCDC; HB 2001 housing rules; BOLI; Census building permits — Oregon

Budget negotiation success

2023-25 biennial budget ($32.1B general fund) passed on time without shutdown or impasse. 2025-27 proposed at $39.3B GF (17% increase) with $1.8B for housing/homelessness and $11.36B for K-12 (10% increase over prior biennium). D supermajority facilitated passage but did not eliminate internal party negotiations on spending priorities.

OR DAS Budget; Oregon Capital Chronicle Jan 2023; OPB Dec 2024 budget reporting

Bill signing rate on popular legislation

Signed HB 4002 drug recriminalization (April 2024) — hugely popular, Measure 110 repeal demanded by public. Signed $376M housing package and semiconductor incentives — broadly supported. Signed education accountability bills. But also signed polarizing measures: expanded gun restrictions, progressive social policies that split public opinion in rural Oregon.

OR Legislature Records; HB 4002 signing April 2024; Governor's signing records

Legislative relationship

Kotek served as House Speaker 2013-2023 — longest-serving Speaker in Oregon history. Deep institutional knowledge and relationships. D supermajority (Senate 18-12, House 35-25) provides working majority. Some tension with progressive wing over pragmatic Measure 110 reversal and homelessness enforcement approach. Worked with Senate President Wagner and Speaker Fahey on education accountability.

OR Legislature Records; OPB leadership reporting

Implementation of voter-approved measures

Measure 110 (2020, 58.5% approval) decriminalized drug possession. After fentanyl deaths spiked ~1,500% (2019-2023) and open drug use ravaged Portland, Kotek signed HB 4002 (April 2024) recriminalizing possession (up to 6 months jail). Measure 114 gun permit/magazine ban (2022, 50.7% approval) blocked by Harney County court Jan 2024; appeals court reversed March 2025 — still not implemented due to ongoing litigation. Two voter mandates effectively stalled or reversed.

OR SOS — Measure 110/114 Results; HB 4002; Court rulings; OPB reporting

Task force follow-through

EO 23-02 goals exceeded: created 1,047 low-barrier shelter beds (goal: 600), rehoused 1,833 households (goal: 1,200), prevented 8,993 households from homelessness (goal: 8,750). Extended via EO 24-02 with new targets: maintain 2,400+ shelter beds, add 1,700 new beds. Housing Production Advisory Council active. Results quantifiable but homelessness still rose 13.6% (HUD 2024 count).

OHCS EO 23-02 results; NLIHC Oregon reporting; HUD PIT 2024; EO 24-02

Policy reversals under pressure

Major reversal: signed HB 4002 (April 2024) recriminalizing drug possession, effectively gutting voter-approved Measure 110 after just 3 years. New penalties: up to 6 months jail for possession of meth, fentanyl, cocaine. Also reversed course on Portland highway tolling — barred ODOT from implementing congestion pricing after public backlash. Pragmatic pivots but represent significant policy reversals under political pressure.

HB 4002 (2024); Measure 110 reversal; ODOT tolling moratorium; OPB reporting

Appointments & Staffing — 29/36 (81%) 12 metrics

Appointee criminal/ethics issues

No criminal charges, indictments, or ethics violations among Kotek's agency director appointees. Multiple national searches conducted for key positions. On her 3rd day as governor, sent letter to all agency heads instituting biennial performance reviews — signaling accountability focus from day one.

OR Ethics Commission; Court Records; Governor's agency accountability letter Jan 2023

Agency head vacancy rate

Key positions filled within first year: ODA, DOC, OHA, ODVA directors submitted for Senate confirmation Oct 2023. At least 4 agency heads hired after national searches. March 2025 agency leadership shuffle moved directors between agencies. Some turnover — 'musical chairs' of agency heads reported by OPB — but vacancies kept short.

Governor's Office Appointment Records; OPB March 2025 agency head reporting

State employee turnover

SEIU 503 warned of staffing 'crisis' as 2023-25 contract negotiations approached (May 2023). New contract provided 6.5% COLA (Dec 2023), 6.55% COLA (Jan/Feb 2025), $1,500 signing bonuses, and $21.06/hr minimum after April 2024 — biggest COLA in decades. Three top governor's office aides departed March 2024, requiring staff reshuffle. Moderate agency turnover.

OR DAS HR Reports; SEIU 503 2023-25 contract; OPB/Oregon Capital Chronicle staff departures

Diversity of appointments

Kotek is the first openly lesbian governor elected in U.S. history (also first openly LGBTQ governor elected — Jared Polis was first openly gay man elected governor in CO 2018). Cabinet reflects Oregon demographics across gender, race, and background. Named Vince Porter as Deputy COS for Public Administration, Chris Warner as permanent COS. Diverse agency leadership across ODA, DOC, OHA, ODVA.

Governor's Office Appointment Records; OR Blue Book governor bio

Judicial appointment quality

Judicial appointments generally rated qualified by Oregon State Bar. Oregon has nonpartisan judicial selection with gubernatorial appointment to fill vacancies. Kotek's appointments reflect progressive judicial philosophy consistent with her policy positions. No Bar complaints or 'not qualified' ratings documented for her nominees.

OR State Bar Judicial Evaluations; Governor's judicial appointment records

State workforce pay competitiveness

SEIU 503 contract (2023-25) delivered largest COLA in decades: 6.5% (Dec 2023) + 6.55% (Jan/Feb 2025). Minimum wage floor raised to $21.06/hr for state workers after April 2024. $1,500 signing bonus. Governor's budget included $515M for employee raises. AFSCME members also ratified 'robust wage hikes.' Competitive for Pacific NW state employment.

SEIU 503 2023-25 tentative agreement; AFSCME OR ratification; DAS compensation data

Whistleblower protection

No documented whistleblower retaliation under Kotek. Oregon whistleblower protections under ORS 659A.199-233 remain intact. BOLI enforcement active. Secretary of State auditors referred minor governor's office spending findings (parking, staff party) to Ethics Commission without any retaliation — demonstrates functional oversight.

OR Bureau of Labor and Industries; Ethics Commission; ORS 659A whistleblower statutes

Inspector General independence

Oregon's audit function housed in independently elected Secretary of State office (not appointed by governor). SOS Audits Division conducted statewide single audit, referred minor governor's office spending findings (Jan 2025) to Ethics Commission — demonstrates independence. Audit Director Kip Memmott operated without gubernatorial interference.

OR Secretary of State Audit Division; SOS referral to Ethics Commission Jan 2025

State employee morale

SEIU 503 had warned of staffing 'crisis' pre-contract (May 2023) but new contract with 6.5%+ COLAs and $1,500 bonuses addressed core compensation concerns. March 2024 governor's office departures of 3 top aides (linked to first spouse role tensions) created temporary internal disruption but did not spread to broader state workforce. No systemic morale collapse.

OR DAS Employee Survey Data; SEIU 503; Oregon Capital Chronicle staff departure reporting

Nepotism/cronyism

No formal nepotism findings. Some scrutiny over enhanced role for wife Aimee Kotek Wilson — governor proactively sought Ethics Commission guidance on first spouse role (April 2024). State auditors flagged $65/mo parking for first lady and a staff BBQ as minor potential violations. Kotek sought ethics opinion before issues escalated — shows good-faith compliance effort.

OR Ethics Commission Records; Willamette Week first spouse reporting; SOS referral

Senior staff criminal charges

Zero criminal charges against any senior staff. Three top aides departed March 2024 (reportedly over first spouse role tensions) but departures were voluntary resignations, not criminal or ethics-related. COS Chris Warner, Deputy COS Vince Porter, and replacement staff have clean records.

Court Records — Oregon; OPB/Oregon Capital Chronicle staff reporting April 2024

Agency performance accountability

Day-3 letter to all agency heads mandating biennial performance reviews. Required outcome metrics from homelessness service providers under EO 23-02. March 2025: shuffled multiple agency directors — 'isn't shy about sending leaders packing' (OPB). OHCS accountability framework tracks shelter beds, rehousing, prevention numbers. Education accountability bills pushed with legislative leadership in 2025.

OHCS Reports; OPB agency accountability reporting; Governor's accountability framework

Emergency Management — 27/36 (75%) 12 metrics

Disaster declaration timeliness

Homelessness emergency EO 23-02 declared day one (Jan 10, 2023) — first governor in U.S. to formally declare homelessness state of emergency. Wildfire emergency declared July 12, 2024 as record 1.9M acres burned (3x the 10-year avg of 640K). Invoked Conflagration Act a record 17 times in 2024 season. Extended wildfire emergency through Oct 1, 2024. All declarations timely.

OR OEM; EO 23-02; Governor wildfire emergency July 2024; KTVZ reporting

FEMA Public Assistance secured

Requested and secured federal major disaster declaration from Biden (Oct 2024) after record 1.9M-acre wildfire season. FEMA Public Assistance approved for Gilliam, Grant, Umatilla, Wasco, and Wheeler counties on cost-sharing basis. At least 42 homes and 132 structures destroyed. Asked for second federal disaster declaration in same year. FEMA assistance for emergency work and facility repair secured.

FEMA PA Records — Oregon 2024; Governor disaster request Oct 2024; Biden approval

Emergency reserve adequacy

Rainy Day Fund ~$2.5B provides adequate emergency buffer. Education Stability Fund also healthy. Oregon Constitution caps rainy day fund at 7.5% of general fund but kicker rebate mechanism ($5.61B returned 2023) prevents building larger reserves. Wildfire emergency response funded without reserve depletion. Reserves adequate for current risk profile.

OR State Treasury Reserve Reports; Kicker/reserve structure

Lives lost — preventable from state failure

No mass-casualty state failures. Record 2024 wildfire season (1.9M acres, 1,956 fires) resulted in structure losses but no reported mass fatalities from state response failure. Fentanyl overdose deaths remained elevated statewide but addressed legislatively through HB 4002 recriminalization (effective Sept 2024). No repeat of 2020 wildfire catastrophe (9 killed, 4,000+ homes destroyed under predecessor Brown) or 2021 heat dome (96 killed).

OR OEM; CDC WONDER — Oregon; OR State Fire Marshal; 2024 wildfire season reports

Post-disaster recovery

Inherited 2020 wildfire recovery (Labor Day fires destroyed towns of Phoenix, Talent, Detroit — 4,000+ homes). Recovery continues but slow in rural communities. 2024 wildfire season recovery: FEMA approved for 5 counties, cost-sharing for 42 homes and 132 structures destroyed. Recovery hampered by rural remoteness and insurance gaps. No recovery failures attributable to state negligence.

FEMA PA Records — Oregon; OR Emergency Management; 2024 wildfire FEMA approval

Public health emergency response

Took office post-COVID emergency. Primary public health crisis: fentanyl — overdose deaths spiked ~1,500% (2019-2023). Signed HB 4002 (April 2024) recriminalizing possession (effective Sept 1, 2024) while also expanding access to opioid withdrawal medications and creating new addiction service facilities. HB 4002 also increased penalties for drug dealers. Pragmatic public health pivot after Measure 110 failure.

OR Health Authority; HB 4002 provisions; CDC WONDER Oregon overdose data

Infrastructure failure prevention

No major infrastructure failures (bridge collapses, dam failures, utility grid collapse). Oregon faces Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake risk — preparedness investments ongoing. ODOT bridge inspections continuing. Utility infrastructure withstood 2024 wildfire season without systemic failure. No preventable infrastructure disasters under Kotek's watch.

OR DOT Infrastructure Reports; Utility Commission Records; ODOT bridge data

National Guard deployment appropriateness

Oregon National Guard deployed under Operations Plan Smokey 2024 for record wildfire season (1.9M acres). Guard resources deployed and redeployed as needed throughout July-September 2024. Kotek led Guard mobilization ceremony. July 2025 wildfire emergency declaration again authorized Guard deployment. No inappropriate Guard use for political purposes. All deployments tied to genuine emergencies.

OR Military Department Records; Governor mobilization ceremony; wildfire emergency orders

Emergency communication

Regular press conferences and media availability on homelessness, wildfires, and drug crisis. Held media availability with PIT data updates. Provided 2025 wildfire briefing ahead of season. Invoked Conflagration Act 17 times (2024) — each requiring public notification. Communication generally accessible though criticized for overly optimistic homelessness projections despite worsening numbers.

Governor's Office Press Records; OEM Communications; media availability records

Interagency coordination

EO 23-02 required coordination across OHCS, OEM, DHS, OHA, and local CoCs. Results exceeded initial targets (1,047 beds vs 600 goal). Wildfire interagency coordination: OEM, ODOT, National Guard, State Fire Marshal, federal FEMA — managed record 1,956 fires (2024). Portland-Multnomah County-state coordination on homelessness remains complicated — multiple jurisdictions with competing approaches.

Governor's Homelessness Task Force; OEM wildfire coordination; OHCS interagency reports

Pandemic response metrics

Took office Jan 2023, post-pandemic emergency phase. COVID public health emergency ended May 2023 (federal). Oregon's pandemic unemployment fraud ($200M+ estimated under predecessor Brown) being recovered through modernized Frances Online system. Chronic school absenteeism — worst in nation per U.S. DOE — is a direct pandemic legacy requiring ongoing response. No new pandemic emergencies.

CDC COVID Data Tracker — Oregon; OED fraud; U.S. DOE absenteeism data

Disaster preparedness & emergency infrastructure

Oregon faces wildfire, Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake (M9.0 risk), flood, and landslide threats. Post-2020 wildfire improvements implemented — community wildfire protection plans updated. 2024 wildfire response showed improved capacity (Conflagration Act invoked record 17 times with effective coordination). Earthquake preparedness remains concern — major Cascadia event would overwhelm existing infrastructure. Wildfire season resilience improving but 1.9M acres (2024) shows scale of challenge.

OR OEM

Transparency & Ethics — 31/39 (79%) 13 metrics

FOIA/open records compliance

Oregon Public Records Law (ORS Ch. 192) compliance standard. 2017 reforms (HB 2101) created Oregon Sunshine Committee to review hundreds of exemptions. HB 4031 (2024) required local agencies to match Department of Revenue confidentiality standards — sent to Kotek for signature. No major records access lawsuits or controversies against governor's office.

OR AG Public Records Orders; HB 4031; Oregon Sunshine Committee; DOJ public records reform page

Governor's schedule availability

Governor's schedule generally available through office website and public records requests. Media availabilities held for major announcements (wildfire briefings, PIT data, legislative signings). Some criticism of limited accessibility during first spouse controversy (March-April 2024). Schedule not proactively published in real-time like some states.

Governor's Office Website — Oregon; media access reporting

Campaign finance compliance

Oregon GOP filed 2022 complaint alleging Kotek induced Progressive/Pacific Green candidate Paravicini to withdraw by promising campaign finance reform. No formal finding of wrongdoing resulted. Oregon previously had no campaign contribution limits (one of few states); bipartisan campaign finance reform legislation passed during Kotek's tenure. SOS campaign finance records show no violations.

OR Secretary of State Campaign Finance Records; GOP complaint; Oregon Capital Chronicle

Financial disclosure

Annual financial disclosures filed with OR Ethics Commission as required by ORS Ch. 244. Proactively sought Ethics Commission guidance on first spouse role and office expenses (April 2024). SOS auditors found only minor potential violations ($65/mo parking, staff BBQ) — characterized as 'minor and unintentional.' Disclosures complete but not notably above-and-beyond.

OR Ethics Commission Financial Disclosure Records; SOS referral Jan 2025

Open meetings compliance

Standard compliance with Oregon Public Meetings Law (ORS Ch. 192.610-192.690). AG's Public Records and Meetings Manual updated 2024. No documented violations by governor's office or executive agencies under Kotek's direction. Advisory councils and task forces (housing, homelessness, semiconductor) held meetings with proper public notice.

OR AG Open Meetings Guidance; AG Public Records Manual 2024

Open data portal

Oregon Transparency website (transparency.oregon.gov) created by HB 2500 (2009) provides state agency revenues, expenditures, contracting, HR data, and dashboards. data.oregon.gov also provides open datasets. DAS maintains budget transparency publications. Portal functional but not among nation's most innovative. Standard data availability for a mid-size state.

data.oregon.gov; transparency.oregon.gov; HB 2500 (2009)

Budget transparency

Governor's Recommended Budget published online for both 2023-25 ($32.1B) and 2025-27 ($39.3B). DAS publishes detailed budget documents, fiscal impact statements, and expenditure reports. Oregon Transparency website provides agency-level spending data. Legislative Fiscal Office provides independent analysis. Budget documents publicly accessible but biennial cycle can reduce real-time visibility.

OR DAS Budget Publications; transparency.oregon.gov; Legislative Fiscal Office

Lobbying disclosure

Oregon Ethics Commission maintains lobbying registration and disclosure database. All lobbyist registrations, expenditure reports, and employer filings publicly searchable. Kotek's campaign pledged campaign finance reform — bipartisan legislation creating contribution limits passed during tenure (Oregon was previously one of few states with no limits). No lobbying disclosure failures or scandals.

OR Ethics Commission Lobbying Records; campaign finance reform legislation

IG report publication

Secretary of State Audit Division publishes all state audit reports online (sos.oregon.gov/audits). Statewide Single Audit (Report 2024-14) for FY2023 publicly available. Search function for all state and municipal audits. Outgoing SOS Griffin-Valade published governor's office spending referral on her final day (Jan 2025) — demonstrates no suppression of audit findings.

OR Secretary of State Audit Division Website; Report 2024-14

Legislative audit cooperation

Full cooperation with SOS auditors including during governor's office spending review. Did not contest or obstruct audit findings referral to Ethics Commission (Jan 2025). Proactively sought Ethics Commission guidance on first spouse role before auditors flagged issues. FY2023 statewide audit completed with full executive branch cooperation — unmodified opinion obtained.

OR Secretary of State Audit Records; Ethics Commission guidance request

Press conference accessibility

Regular press conferences for major policy announcements: wildfire briefings, homelessness PIT data, legislative signings (HB 4002, SB 1530, SB 4). Media availability events documented. Held pressers on CHIPS Act investments, housing package passage, disaster declarations. Generally accessible though critics note selective engagement during first spouse controversy (March-April 2024).

Governor's Office Media Schedule; OPB/Oregon Capital Chronicle coverage

State contract transparency

DAS procurement system provides public access to state contracts, RFPs, and vendor awards. Oregon Transparency website (HB 2500) includes contracting data dashboard. $376M housing package, $210M semiconductor incentives, and Frances Online IT contracts ($106M) all documented through procurement channels. No documented contract secrecy or transparency failures.

OR DAS Procurement Records; transparency.oregon.gov contracting dashboard

Court order compliance

Complied with Harney County court injunction blocking Measure 114 gun law (Jan 2024) — did not attempt to enforce blocked provisions. Appeals court reversed injunction (March 2025) but law still stayed pending further review. Complied with court orders on other litigation matters. No contempt findings or defiance of judicial orders. Oregon AG defended Measure 114 through proper legal channels.

Court Records — Oregon; Measure 114 litigation; Harney County Circuit Court

Ethics & Integrity — 36/39 (92%) 13 metrics

Personal criminal charges

Zero criminal charges, indictments, or investigations against Kotek personally. Clean criminal record throughout political career (House 2007-2023, Governor 2023-present). No DOJ investigations. No grand jury proceedings. Record is unblemished on criminal matters.

Court Records; DOJ; OR judicial records search

Ethics complaints — substantiated

No substantiated ethics complaints. SOS Audits Division referred minor potential violations to Ethics Commission (Jan 2025) — $65/mo parking for first lady, staff BBQ at Mahonia Hall. Auditors characterized findings as 'minor and unintentional.' Ethics Commission gathering additional information but no formal finding of violation as of evaluation date. Proactively sought ethics guidance on first spouse role.

OR Ethics Commission Records; Willamette Week Jan 2025 reporting; KOIN ethics reporting

Gift/travel disclosure

Gift and travel disclosures filed per ORS Ch. 244 requirements. Oregon Ethics Commission oversees gift limits ($50/single source) and travel disclosure. No reported violations of gift acceptance rules. Minor spending issues flagged by SOS (parking, staff event) suggest marginal boundary questions but nothing approaching gift or travel abuse.

OR Ethics Commission Records; ORS Ch. 244 gift rules

Conflict of interest

No documented conflicts of interest. Financial disclosures show no business interests conflicting with official duties. First spouse Aimee Kotek Wilson's enhanced office role drew scrutiny but Ethics Commission guidance sought proactively — no conflict-of-interest finding. No real estate, business, or financial holdings creating policy conflicts identified.

OR Ethics Commission; Financial Disclosure Records; first spouse ethics inquiry

State resources for political purposes

No documented misuse of state resources for political purposes. SOS audit found only minor spending questions (parking, staff gathering) — unrelated to campaign activity. No use of state staff, vehicles, or offices for campaign or political fundraising purposes documented. Clean record on this metric despite running for reelection in 2026.

OR Ethics Commission Records; SOS audit findings

Truthfulness in official statements

Generally truthful but criticized for overly optimistic homelessness framing. EO 23-02 targets were exceeded (1,047 beds vs 600 goal) — but homelessness still rose 13.6% in 2024 HUD count to 22,875 (62% unsheltered). Claimed progress while crisis deepened. Goal of 36,000 homes/year remains aspirational vs ~15,000 actual. No documented fabrication of facts or data, but selective emphasis on positive metrics.

Governor's Office Public Statements; HUD PIT 2024; OHCS data; housing production data

Protection of ethics infrastructure

Oregon Ethics Commission authority and budget maintained. Did not attempt to weaken, defund, or interfere with Ethics Commission operations. Proactively requested Ethics Commission guidance on first spouse role — showing deference to ethics infrastructure. Campaign finance reform legislation passed during tenure, strengthening Oregon's historically weak campaign finance framework (previously no contribution limits).

OR Ethics Commission Budget Records; campaign finance reform legislation

Emoluments/self-dealing

No documented self-dealing or emoluments violations. Governor's salary is constitutionally set ($98,600). No evidence of directing state business to personal interests. No outside business interests creating enrichment pathways. First spouse parking ($65/mo) was the only state-paid personal expense flagged — de minimis and characterized as 'unintentional.'

OR Ethics Commission Financial Disclosures; OR Constitution governor salary

Campaign donor to state contract pipeline

No documented pattern of campaign donors receiving state contracts. Oregon's lack of campaign contribution limits (until recent reform) meant large donors existed, but no pay-to-play scheme identified. $210M semiconductor (SB 4), $376M housing package contracts awarded through DAS procurement, not donor patronage. No investigative reporting has established donor-contract connections.

OR Ethics Commission; SOS Campaign Finance; DAS procurement records

Foreign influence

No foreign influence concerns identified. No FARA registrations connected to governor's office. Oregon's semiconductor industry involves global companies (Intel, international supply chain) but CHIPS Act investments are federally vetted. No foreign government lobbying or influence operations targeting Kotek's office documented.

DOJ FARA Database; federal CHIPS Act vetting; CFIUS records

Sexual harassment claims

Zero sexual harassment claims against governor or governor's office staff. Three staff departures (March 2024) were reportedly over first spouse role tensions, not harassment allegations. No BOLI complaints, no lawsuits, no settlements related to sexual harassment in Kotek's office. Clean record.

OR DAS HR Records; BOLI complaint database; court records

Records preservation

No documented records destruction or improper disposal. Oregon State Archives records retention schedules followed. Governor's office records subject to Oregon Public Records Law. SOS auditors were able to access all records needed for spending review — demonstrates proper retention. No allegations of email deletion, document shredding, or records obstruction.

OR State Archives Records Retention; SOS audit access records

Revolving door

No documented revolving door violations. Oregon has post-public-service restrictions under Ethics Commission rules. No reports of former Kotek staff immediately lobbying state agencies. Three departed aides (March 2024) did not immediately move to lobbying firms or regulated industries. National search process for agency directors reduces revolving door risk.

OR Ethics Commission Records; revolving door restrictions

Program Management — 24/36 (67%) 12 metrics

Fraud losses in state programs

Inherited ~$200M+ Employment Dept pandemic UI fraud from Brown era. Frances Online modernization ($106M, launched March 2024) introduced stronger identity verification to contain new fraud. Paid Leave Oregon (new program) targeted by identity theft but caught through new system controls. No major new fraud losses attributable to Kotek-era programs. SOS audits show no systemic fraud in state programs.

OR Secretary of State Audit Reports; DOL OIG; OED fraud report 2023; Frances Online

Program integrity — eligibility verification

Oregon Health Plan (~1.4M enrollees) Medicaid redeterminations proceeding through 16 Coordinated Care Organizations. Healthier Oregon program (undocumented residents) enrollment at 105,000+. DHS program integrity reviews ongoing. Frances Online replaced 1992-era system with modern eligibility verification. Oregon ONE system modernization for broader social services eligibility continuing.

OR DHS Program Integrity; CMS Reviews — Oregon; OHA enrollment data

IT system modernization

Frances Online ($106M) — largest state IT project — launched March 2024, replacing 1992-era Employment Dept system. Final phase (UI benefits) completed third and final rollout. Oregon ONE eligibility system modernization ongoing. Paid Leave Oregon system live. Major IT modernization progress but multi-year projects still in progress. $106M baseline budget for combined Paid Leave/UI modernization.

OR DAS IT Reports; OED Modernization Program 2024 report; Frances Online launch

Permit processing timeliness

Oregon's Urban Growth Boundary system (since 1973) creates inherently slow permit processing. Goal of 36,000 homes/year vs actual ~15,000. HB 2001 (2023) mandated Housing Needs Analysis and middle housing zoning to streamline, but implementation still early. $376M emergency housing package included infrastructure funding to accelerate permits. UGB expansion for Hillsboro semiconductor site shows willingness to adapt but system remains nation's most restrictive land use framework.

OR LCDC; HB 2001; Census Building Permits — Oregon; Hillsboro UGB expansion

Child welfare system

CFSR Round 4 (2025): ODHS improved on 12 of 18 case review items vs Round 3 (2016), maintained on 1, declined on 5. Case plan timeliness hit 70% goal (Oct 2023), raised to 80%. Foster care entry rate declining: 2.53/1,000 (April 2024-March 2025). Permanency outcomes above federal standard for children in care 24+ months. Guardianship process improvements implemented. No catastrophic failures.

ACF CFSR Round 4 Results — Oregon; ODHS progress reports; DHS child welfare dashboard

Medicaid program management

Oregon Health Plan (~1.4M enrollees) operates through 16 Coordinated Care Organizations (CCOs) — innovative managed-care model. Medicaid redeterminations proceeding post-pandemic. Healthier Oregon (HB 3352) expanded OHP to all undocumented residents (105,000+ enrolled since July 2023) — most expansive in nation after CA. Uninsured rate ~6.5% (low nationally). CMS reviews show standard compliance.

CMS Medicaid Reviews — Oregon; OHA enrollment data; Healthier Oregon HB 3352

Environmental program

DEQ programs meet EPA standards. PNWH2 hydrogen hub (up to $1B federal) advancing clean energy transition. EPA awarded Oregon $86.6M (2024). Air quality generally good except wildfire season — 2024's 1.9M acres produced widespread smoke. Timber/environmental tensions ongoing (federal forest management vs endangered species). Climate action through IRA investments. Oregon is among most environmentally regulated states.

EPA State Program Evaluations — Oregon; OR DEQ; PNWH2 hydrogen hub; IRA investments

Transportation project delivery

I-5 Rose Quarter project ($1.5-1.9B total) advancing in $873M first phase — secured $450M Reconnecting Communities grant (later partially rescinded by Trump admin). Kotek barred ODOT from implementing Portland tolling/congestion pricing after public backlash. ODOT facing budget challenges — project costs escalating, some delays. IIJA flexible funds ($412M) prioritized for main streets, repair, accessibility. Mixed delivery record: ambitious projects but cost overruns.

ODOT Annual Reports; Rose Quarter Project; tolling moratorium; IIJA allocations

Unemployment insurance system

Frances Online modernization ($106M) launched March 2024 — replaced 1992-era legacy system with modern UI benefits, Paid Leave Oregon, and employer tax modules. Third and final rollout completed. Unemployment rate ~4.2% (slightly above national avg). System functioning normally post-pandemic recovery. Identity verification strengthened. OR Employment Dept now operationally stable after 2020 crisis under Brown.

OR Employment Dept Reports; Frances Online launch March 2024; DOL UI Performance Data

Veterans services

Oregon Department of Veterans' Affairs (ODVA) director appointed through governor's confirmation process (Oct 2023). ODVA operates state veterans' homes and benefits programs. Oregon has ~300,000 veterans. Services adequate — no federal sanctions or compliance failures. Veterans' homelessness a concern within broader homelessness crisis (veterans represented in HUD PIT count). VA grant funding maintained.

OR DVA Annual Reports; VA State Grant Data; ODVA director appointment

Housing program effectiveness

HOMELESSNESS CRISIS — DEFINING FAILURE. HUD PIT Jan 2024: 22,875 homeless (up 13.6% from 20,142 in 2023). 62% unsheltered — 2nd highest unsheltered rate nationally. 8th largest homeless population in U.S. despite being 27th in population. EO 23-02 exceeded shelter targets (1,047 beds vs 600 goal, rehoused 1,833 households) but homelessness still worsened. $376M housing package (2024) and $1.8B proposed for 2025-27 biennium. Housing production goal 36,000/year vs ~15,000 actual. Median Portland home ~$510K. Massive investment with worsening outcomes.

HUD PIT 2024; OHCS Reports; Census ACS; Zillow ZHVI; SB 1530; Governor's budget

Corrections system

Prison population: 11,933 (current), projected 12,899 in 10 years (7.6% growth). HB 4002 drug recriminalization (effective Sept 2024) increased community corrections population by ~4,000. Deer Ridge Correctional (Madras) reopening funded ($17M + 127 positions) to accommodate growth. Measure 11 mandatory minimums (1994) under review for racial disparities in sentencing. No federal intervention or consent decrees. System functioning but capacity pressure rising.

OR DOC Population Reports; DOC 2025-27 budget review; Oct 2024 population forecast

Federal Relations — 11/15 (73%) 5 metrics

Federal funding captured

IIJA: >$5B over 5 years ($412M flexible ODOT). CHIPS Act: Intel received $8.5B federal + $11B loans for Hillsboro ($36B total investment). Reconnecting Communities: $450M Rose Quarter grant (partially rescinded by Trump admin). EPA: $86.6M (2024). Natural resources: 156 awards/$350M. FEMA: 2024 wildfire major disaster approved for 5 counties. PNWH2 hydrogen hub: up to $1B regional. Strong federal capture relative to state size.

USASpending.gov — Oregon; IIJA; CHIPS Act; EPA; FEMA; PNWH2; Gov IIJA/IRA page

Federal corrective action plans

No major federal corrective action plans or consent decrees outstanding. FY2023 single audit identified 4 material weaknesses but none resulted in federal suspension or grant clawbacks. CMS Medicaid reviews showed standard compliance. No EPA enforcement actions against Oregon. CFSR Round 4 child welfare improved on 12 of 18 items. Federal relationship functional.

Federal Program Reviews — Oregon; Single Audit 2024-14; CMS; EPA; CFSR Round 4

Interstate cooperation

Active in Pacific Coast Collaborative (OR, WA, CA, BC) on climate and economic issues. PNWH2 hydrogen hub spans multiple Northwest states. Wildfire mutual aid with WA, CA, ID during 2024 record season. Interstate coordination on homelessness (West Coast governors share challenge). National Semiconductor Technology Center at Intel Hillsboro — multi-state significance. Standard interstate compact maintenance.

Interstate Compact Records; Pacific Coast Collaborative; PNWH2; wildfire mutual aid

Local government relations

Complex multi-jurisdictional dynamics in Portland metro (City of Portland, Multnomah County, Metro, state) complicate homelessness coordination. Washington County exceeded all EO 23-02 goals (model locality). Tension with Portland on encampment enforcement approaches — city vs state priorities. League of Oregon Cities engaged on housing and infrastructure. Some rural-urban tension on gun control, drug policy. New Portland Mayor Keith Wilson (elected 2024) introduced new dynamics.

OR Local Government Records; Washington County EO 23-02 results; League of Oregon Cities

Federal litigation costs

Moderate federal litigation costs. Oregon AG joined multi-state coalition challenges to Trump-era and current federal policies. Measure 114 gun law litigation involves federal constitutional questions (Bruen framework). ORS 181A.820 sanctuary law faces federal pressure but established 1987 precedent. CHIPS Act and environmental litigation standard. Litigation costs not disproportionate to state size but sanctuary/gun challenges add expense.

OR AG Litigation Records; Measure 114 litigation; sanctuary law challenges

Constituent Service — 10/15 (67%) 5 metrics

Constituent inquiry response

Governor's office maintains constituent services operation with standard response times for inquiries, complaints, and requests. Online contact form and phone line active. Staff restructuring after March 2024 departures did not measurably impact constituent services. No reports of systemic failures in responding to constituent communications.

Governor's Office Internal Metrics; constituent services contact records

Town halls held

Public events throughout tenure including homelessness listening sessions, wildfire community briefings (2024 season — 5 affected counties), semiconductor/CHIPS Act events at Intel Hillsboro, housing package promotional events. Visited fire-affected rural communities. Homelessness PIT data media availabilities. Not known for extensive formal town hall schedule but maintains public presence across state.

Governor's Office Schedule; media event records; wildfire community visits

Constituent satisfaction

Morning Consult: was LEAST popular governor in America in 2024 (45% approval, lowest of all 50 governors). Improved to 48% approval by Q4 2025 (highest of her tenure) — still below-average nationally. Disapproval peaked at 45% in Q1 2024, dropped to 37% by Q2 2025. Homelessness crisis, Portland public safety, cost of living, and drug policy failures drove low satisfaction. Confirmed running for reelection in 2026.

Morning Consult Governor Approval Q4 2025; Oregon Capital Chronicle; Central Oregon Daily

ADA compliance

Standard ADA compliance across state facilities and programs. Governor's office communications and events accessible. State websites meet accessibility standards. ODOT IIJA flexible funds prioritized for 'accessibility' among other categories. No DOJ ADA enforcement actions against Oregon during Kotek's tenure. DHS disability services functioning normally.

OR DHS; DOJ ADA Reviews; ODOT accessibility priorities

Electoral accountability

Won Nov 2022 with only 47.0% in three-way race — Christine Drazan (R) 43.5%, Betsy Johnson (unaffiliated) 8.7%. Narrowest D gubernatorial win in Oregon in decades. No majority mandate. Was least popular governor nationally in 2024 (Morning Consult). Improved to 48% approval by late 2025. Confirmed running for reelection 2026 — appears to have 'clear path' per Oregon Capital Chronicle (no strong R challenger yet). Weak mandate but improving trajectory.

OR SOS 2022 Election Results; Morning Consult; Oregon Capital Chronicle April 2025

Section B — State Outcomes 379/975

13 categories measuring real-world outcomes: economic performance, population trends, fiscal health, public safety, education, healthcare, infrastructure, cost of living, transparency, controversy, historical context, constituent satisfaction, and immigration compliance.

Economic Performance — 38/75 (51%)

BEA SAGDP: OR GDP ~$285B. BLS LAUS: unemployment ~4.2% (slightly above national avg). Intel and semiconductor industry significant employer. Census ACS median household income ~$76,000 (above national). Portland economy recovering slowly from COVID/protest/homelessness impacts. Tech sector layoffs affected Oregon.

Population & Demographics — 28/75 (37%)

Census: OR population 4,267,621 (2024), up 13,200 from 2023. Added only 8,200 (mid-2024 to mid-2025) — one of slowest growth rates nationally. Deaths exceeded births for 4th consecutive year (natural population loss of 3,850 in 2024). All growth from migration: net international 9,600 (4x domestic net of 2,200). Multnomah County (Portland) 780,000 — declined 4.5% since 2020 but stabilizing (0.2% growth 2023-2024). Over-65 share grew from 18.6% (2020) to 19.9% (2024); under-18 fell from 20.3% to 18.6%. Portland metro had negative net migration — growth solely from natural increase. Oregon aging rapidly.

Budget & Fiscal Health — 40/75 (53%)

AA+/Aa1 credit rating maintained. Rainy day fund healthy (~$1.4B). Kicker rebate: $5.61B returned to taxpayers (largest in history) when 2023-25 collections exceeded forecast by 2%+ (constitutional requirement). $39.3B general fund 2025-27 biennial budget submitted Dec 2024. PERS unfunded liability ~$23B — structural challenge from 1990s benefit tiers. Oregon has NO sales tax (one of 5 states) — relies on personal income tax (top rate 9.9%), creating revenue volatility. Corporate Activity Tax (CAT, 2019) provides some stabilization. Budget balanced per constitutional requirement. Revenue exceeded forecast for 2023-25 biennium.

Public Safety — 20/75 (27%)

Violent crime: 5.3 incidents/1,000 residents (2024). Portland Police Bureau budget record $295M (FY2024-25, +42%/$88M since 2016). Portland homicides peaked 101 (2022); down 51% first half 2025 vs 2024. Portland overall violent crime -17% (2025), aggravated assaults -18%, robberies -10%, sexual assault -12%. Portland recorded LARGEST decrease in violent crime of all 68 Major Cities Chiefs Association agencies. Portland ranked #4 nationally in gun violence prevention readiness. Property crime: ~45/1,000 (2024, down from 51 in 2022). Measure 110 drug decriminalization failure — recriminalized via HB 4002 (Sept 2024 effective). Fentanyl overdose deaths remain crisis.

Education Outcomes — 35/75 (47%)

NAEP 2022: 4th grade math 233 (below national 235), 8th grade reading 260 (at national). OR graduation rate ~83% (improving). School funding increased through Student Success Act (2019, pre-Kotek). Chronic absenteeism very high post-COVID. Achievement gaps persistent.

Healthcare Access — 40/75 (53%)

Census ACS uninsured rate ~6.5% (Oregon Health Plan covers many). CDC: life expectancy ~78.8 (near national). Infant mortality 4.8/1K (below national 5.4 — good). But: drug overdose crisis significant. Mental health services strained. Rural health access challenges.

Infrastructure Quality — 35/75 (47%)

FHWA NBI: bridges in mixed condition — some deficient in rural areas. Roads adequate in most areas. Broadband expansion underway. I-5 Rose Quarter project controversial. Tolling plans advancing. Cascadia Subduction Zone earthquake preparedness remains concern.

Cost of Living — 25/75 (33%)

BEA RPP: ~103-105 (prices 3-5% above national; Portland metro higher at ~108-110). No sales tax (positive — one of 5 states) but high income tax (top marginal 9.9%). Median home Portland metro ~$510K (expensive vs national ~$320K). Record $5.61B kicker rebate returned to taxpayers (constitutional requirement when collections exceed forecast by 2%+). Rents elevated: Portland median 1BR ~$1,500/mo. Rural Oregon more affordable (Bend, Eugene, Salem lower than Portland). Cost of living driving Multnomah County population decline (-4.5% since 2020). Housing production goal 36,000/year vs actual ~15,000.

Transparency & Accountability — 35/75 (47%)

Oregon Transparency website (oregon.gov/transparency) multi-agency effort providing budget, contract, salary data. Open Data Portal (data.oregon.gov) maintained by Office of Data Governance & Transparency (ODGT) within Enterprise Information Services. Chief Data Officer provides statewide data governance leadership. ORS 276A.253 mandates transparency website. Agencies required to report on progress implementing audit recommendations (accountability measure under Kotek). OR Secretary of State publishes 2024-25 audit plan. Ethics Commission active. No major transparency scandals. Annual Report on Statewide Internal Audit Activities (FY2023-24) published to legislature.

Controversy & Scandal — 25/75 (33%)

Portland homelessness crisis — national story. Measure 110 drug decriminalization failure and reversal. Portland crime surge 2020-2023. Narrow election victory (47%). Cost of living driving outmigration. Progressive policies questioned as Portland struggles. Drug recriminalization seen as admitting policy failure.

Historical Context — 30/75 (40%)

39th governor of Oregon. First openly lesbian governor in state history. Longest-serving House Speaker in OR history before becoming governor. Succeeded Kate Brown (D, 2015-2023, term-limited, low approval). Replaced Brown's strict COVID measures and poor homelessness response with pragmatic pivot. As Speaker, passed statewide rent stabilization (first in nation), middle housing zoning (HB 2001), Student Success Act education funding. Declared homelessness emergency on first day (EO 23-02). Pragmatically reversed Measure 110 drug decriminalization (HB 4002, 2024) after overdose deaths surged. 47% election win (narrowest D win in decades). Approved for reelection 2026 with 'clear path' (Oregon Capital Chronicle). Housing/homelessness remains defining failure (22,875 homeless, HUD PIT Jan 2024).

Constituent Verdict — 25/75 (33%)

Won with only 47% (three-way race). Approval in low 40s. Homelessness and Portland public safety dominate public perception. Drug recriminalization popular but raised questions about Democratic governance in Oregon. Some credit for pragmatic pivot on Measure 110.

Immigration & Law Compliance — 3/75 (4%)

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Section C — Oath Fidelity -70 (-378 to +378)

126 items scored -3 to +3 measuring fidelity to constitutional oath. Grounded in Supreme Court precedent and constitutional text.

+3Exemplary +2Strong +1Adequate 0Neutral -1Concerning -2Failing -3Hostile

Protection of Life

Declaration of Independence; 5th/14th Amendments

Score: -10 Range: -93 to 93 Items: 31

Violent crime rate trend

OR violent crime rate ~290 per 100K (2023). Rate increased during 2020-2022 period and has only modestly declined. Portland particularly impacted by property and violent crime surge. Below national average but trending worse during tenure.

FBI UCR/NIBRS; OR State Police UCR

-1

Homicide rate relative to national average

OR homicide rate approximately 4.5-5.0 per 100K (2023), within 15% of national average. Portland homicides spiked in 2022-2023 and have declined but remain elevated from pre-2020 baseline.

FBI UCR; CDC WONDER; Portland PB

Homicide clearance rate

OR homicide clearance rate approximately 35-40%, below national average. Portland PB clearance rate dropped significantly during staffing crisis. State-level investigative resources limited.

FBI UCR; Portland PB data

-1

Law enforcement staffing adequacy

OR law enforcement staffing in crisis. Portland PB authorized 916 officers, down to ~800 (2024). State police below authorized strength. Recruitment crisis exacerbated by political environment. Below 1.7 per 1,000 in Portland.

FBI LEOKA; Portland PB staffing; OSP data

-2

Drug overdose death rate trend

OR drug overdose death rate approximately 25 per 100K and rising. Measure 110 (drug decriminalization, 2020) associated with increased open drug use. Partially reversed by HB 4002 (2024, signed by Kotek). Fentanyl crisis severe.

CDC WONDER; OR Health Authority; HB 4002

-2

Emergency management preparedness

OEM meets most FEMA capability targets. Wildfire and earthquake preparedness a priority. Cascadia Subduction Zone planning active. Good for natural hazard profile.

FEMA SPR; OEM; DOGAMI

Preventable mass-casualty event response

No major mass-casualty events during Kotek tenure. Wildfire seasons managed adequately. No proactive preparedness changes beyond standard operations.

OEM reports

Infrastructure safety — bridge and road conditions

OR structurally deficient bridges approximately 6%, near national average. Road conditions mixed. ODOT addressing I-5 bridge over Columbia River replacement (long-delayed IBR project). Average infrastructure.

FHWA NBI; ASCE OR; ODOT

Water and dam safety compliance

OR water systems generally compliant. Portland water bureau meets standards. Dam safety program adequate. Some rural water quality concerns. No major contamination events.

EPA SDWIS; OR WRD Dam Safety

Healthcare access — uninsured rate

OR uninsured rate approximately 6% (2023 ACS). Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) covers large population. Cover Oregon marketplace functional. Good access.

Census ACS; KFF; OR Health Authority

Maternal mortality rate

OR maternal mortality rate approximately 15-18 per 100K, below national average. Good prenatal care access in metro areas. Rural gaps exist.

CDC WONDER; OR Health Authority

Infant mortality rate

OR infant mortality rate approximately 4.3 per 1,000, below national average. Strong neonatal care in Portland metro.

CDC WONDER; NCHS

Self-defense rights — Castle Doctrine / Stand Your Ground

OR has limited Castle Doctrine. No duty to retreat in home. Duty to retreat outside home. No Stand Your Ground. Use of force laws moderate. ORS 161.219 provides some protection.

ORS 161.209-161.229; NRA-ILA

Death penalty procedural safeguards

OR has death penalty on books but moratorium in place since 2011 (Gov. Kitzhaber). Kotek maintains moratorium. LWOP available. Basic victim services. Ambiguous status between abolition and retention.

OR death penalty moratorium; Death Penalty Information Center

Suicide prevention program funding and outcomes

OR suicide rate approximately 18 per 100K, above national average. Funded prevention programs exist but outcomes poor. Rural and veteran populations particularly affected. 988 integration in progress.

CDC WISQARS; AFSP OR; OR Health Authority

-1

911/emergency response time adequacy

OR EMS response times challenged by rural geography and staffing shortages. Portland Fire Bureau understaffed. NFPA compliance below 70% in some jurisdictions. Staffing crisis impacts response.

NFPA; OR EMS data; Portland Fire

-1

Opioid/fentanyl interdiction and treatment funding

Measure 110 diverted drug interdiction funding to treatment but treatment infrastructure not built fast enough. HB 4002 (2024) re-criminalized some drug possession but damage done. Overdose deaths still rising.

SAMHSA; OR Health Authority; HB 4002; Measure 110

-1

Veteran suicide and healthcare access

OR has veteran services through ODVA. Veteran homelessness elevated (Portland has significant veteran homeless population). Suicide rate above average. Average state support.

VA SAIL; ODVA; HUD PIT

Food safety and foodborne illness enforcement

OR food safety program meets most FDA standards. Inspection frequency adequate. No major outbreaks linked to state inspection failures.

FDA Conformance; ODA; OR Health Authority

Workplace fatality rate

OR workplace fatality rate approximately 4.0-4.5 per 100K FTE, near national average. Mix of forestry, agriculture, and service economy.

BLS CFOI; OR OSHA

Domestic violence fatality rate and funding

OR has DV fatality review process. OCADSV receives state funding. Shelter capacity strained by housing crisis. DV rates near national average.

OCADSV; NNEDV

Correctional facility death rate and conditions

OR DOC death rates near national average. Some facility concerns. No active DOJ CRIPA investigation. Coffee Creek and OSP conditions adequate.

BJS; OR DOC

Pollution-related mortality and environmental health

OR has some air quality issues in Willamette Valley and Portland metro during wildfire season. Generally good environmental standards. Superfund sites on track. DEQ enforcement adequate.

EPA Green Book; EPA Superfund; OR DEQ

Pedestrian and traffic fatality rate

OR traffic fatality rate approximately 1.4-1.5 per 100M VMT, above national average. Pedestrian fatalities increasing, particularly in Portland. Portland Vision Zero not meeting targets.

NHTSA FARS; ODOT; Portland Bureau of Transportation

-1

Sanctity of life legislative framework

OR has no gestational limits on abortion (Reproductive Health Equity Act, HB 3391, 2017, before Kotek as governor). Kotek, as House Speaker, championed RHEA passage. No clinic safety regulations. State funds cover abortion. Among most permissive frameworks in nation.

OR HB 3391; Guttmacher; Dobbs v. Jackson (2022)

-3

Homeless mortality — exposure deaths, overdoses in encampments, violence

Extended homelessness emergency three times. Oregon's unsheltered population among nation's worst.

OPB, Oregon Capital Chronicle

-1

Population loss impact on services — EMS/hospital closures, tax base erosion

Oregon population stagnating with natural decline for 4th straight year.

QualityInfo Oregon, Willamette Week

Police staffing/funding — governor's direct actions on law enforcement

Re-criminalized drug possession after failed Measure 110. But public defense crisis means 4,000+ defendants without attorneys.

OPB, Oregon Capital Chronicle

Criminal recidivism from early release — parole/clemency, no-cash-bail

HB 4002 allows drug users to 'deflect' from justice. Public defense crisis creates de facto early release.

OPB, Oregon Capital Chronicle

-1

Prison/shelter housing — biological males in women's facilities

Oregon law allows transgender students to compete on teams matching gender identity. Kotek supports this.

OPB, Willamette Week

-2

Mental health crisis system — involuntary commitment reform, crisis intervention

Extended homelessness emergency with mental health focus. Proposed more money for behavioral healthcare.

OPB, Oregon Capital Chronicle

Constitutional Rights

Bill of Rights (Amendments I-X); 14th Amendment incorporation

Score: -25 Range: -87 to 87 Items: 29

Second Amendment — right to carry status

OR Measure 114 (passed Nov 2022) required permit-to-purchase and imposed restrictive permitting. Implementation delayed by litigation (federal and state courts). If fully implemented, effectively restricts carry for most residents. Currently in legal limbo.

OR Measure 114; Harney County v. OR; Arnold v. Kotek

-2

Second Amendment — semi-automatic rifle restrictions

Measure 114 included provisions affecting semi-automatic firearms through magazine restrictions. No outright ban but restrictions on common firearms through magazine limits. Feature-based restrictions proposed.

OR Measure 114; state legislation

-1

Second Amendment — magazine capacity restrictions

Measure 114 imposed 10-round magazine capacity limit. Currently enjoined by courts (Harney County Circuit Court, then federal litigation). If implemented, criminalizes possession of standard-capacity magazines.

OR Measure 114; court injunctions

-2

Second Amendment — Red Flag / ERPO due process

OR enacted ERPO (2017, before Kotek as governor). Ex parte initial order. Hearing within 30 days. Preponderance standard. Limited due process protections. Extended seizure period.

ORS 166.525-166.543; ERPO data

-1

First Amendment — campus free speech protections

OR has no campus free speech statute. UO and OSU have had documented suppression incidents. FIRE gives OR schools below-average ratings. DEI requirements in some hiring.

FIRE campus rankings; OR legislation

-1

First Amendment — anti-SLAPP protections

OR has one of the strongest anti-SLAPP statutes in the nation (ORS 31.150-31.155). Comprehensive coverage, expedited dismissal, fee-shifting. National model.

ORS 31.150; Public Participation Project

First Amendment — religious liberty protections

OR has no state RFRA. Some documented conflicts with religious organizations over anti-discrimination requirements. COVID-era restrictions applied differently to religious gatherings. Klein v. Oregon (bakery case) showed state hostility.

Klein v. OR Bureau of Labor; Becket Fund; COVID restrictions

-1

Fourth Amendment — warrant requirements for digital surveillance

OR relies primarily on federal Carpenter standard. Some state constitutional privacy protections (Art. I Sec. 9). No comprehensive electronic privacy statute. Average protections.

OR Constitution; EFF; ACLU OR

Fourth Amendment — civil asset forfeiture reform

OR has among strongest civil forfeiture protections — criminal conviction required for forfeiture. One of first states to reform. Federal equitable sharing loophole still exists.

ORS 131A; Institute for Justice

Fifth Amendment — eminent domain protections post-Kelo

OR enacted Measure 39 (2006) requiring just compensation for regulatory takings. Moderate post-Kelo reform. Property rights protections above average.

OR Measure 39; Castle Coalition

Due process — regulatory takings and permitting timelines

OR has significant regulatory burden, particularly in land use (statewide zoning since 1973). Environmental permitting timelines lengthy. Some systematic delays documented.

DLCD; state auditor reports

-1

Tenth Amendment — federal overreach resistance

Kotek has generally acquiesced to federal authority. No state sovereignty pushback. Cooperative posture on all federal mandates. Marijuana enforcement exception is pre-Kotek.

Governor's executive orders; litigation dockets

-1

Equal Protection — state contracting nondiscrimination

OR maintains race-conscious programs (COBID — Certification Office for Business Inclusion and Diversity). No SFFA compliance review. Expanding diversity requirements in state contracting.

COBID; OR procurement data

-1

Second Amendment — state preemption of local firearms laws

OR has state preemption (ORS 166.170) but Measure 114 created tension. Some localities have enacted additional restrictions. Preemption weakening in practice under Kotek.

ORS 166.170; Measure 114; NRA-ILA

-1

First Amendment — government transparency and FOIA compliance

OR has public records law but documented compliance issues. Governor's office response times variable. Some documented delays. Average transparency performance.

OR Public Records Law; RCFP; Oregonian FOIA audits

Sixth Amendment — public defender funding adequacy

OR has severe public defender crisis. OPDS caseloads far exceed recommended maximums. 6th Amendment Center report (2022) found systemic deficiencies. Thousands of defendants without counsel. Kotek signed some funding increases but crisis persists.

6th Amendment Center OR report 2022; OPDS; court orders

-2

Eighth Amendment — bail reform and pretrial detention

OR has moderate bail system. Some risk-based pretrial reforms. Cash bail still used but with some protections. No extreme position either direction.

Pretrial Justice Institute; OR court data

Property rights — regulatory burden and economic freedom

OR ranks in top quartile for regulatory burden. Statewide land use planning highly restrictive. Climate Cap-and-Trade program adds regulatory costs. Limited reform.

Mercatus RegData; Cato Economic Freedom

-1

Second Amendment — governor's litigation posture on firearms cases

OR AG Ellen Rosenblum (now AG Dan Rayfield) actively defended Measure 114 in court. Filed anti-2A amicus briefs. Active anti-2A litigation posture defending some of strictest restrictions.

AG litigation dockets; Measure 114 litigation

-2

First Amendment — compelled speech protections

OR has some compelled speech elements. Pronoun policies in government agencies and schools. Professional licensing requirements include DEI components. No anti-compelled-speech protections.

OR agency policies; professional licensing; school district policies

-1

Commerce Clause compliance — interstate trade barriers

OR has no sales tax (unique). Some interstate commerce friction in cannabis regulation (federal-state conflict). Generally average interstate commerce environment.

IJ; court rulings

Privileges and Immunities — occupational licensing reform

OR has moderate occupational licensing burden. Some reform including military spouse provisions. No comprehensive reform enacted under Kotek. Average progress.

IJ License to Work; NCSL; OR licensing boards

Contract Clause — state compliance with contractual obligations

PERS funded ratio approximately 75-80% (improved from historic lows). Major liability overhang. Legislature has attempted benefit adjustments struck down by OR Supreme Court (Moro v. State). Bond ratings AA+/Aa1.

Pew pension; PERS CAFR; Moro v. State; bond ratings

-1

Jury trial rights — civil and criminal jury access

OR is unique in allowing non-unanimous jury verdicts for some crimes (reformed after Ramos v. Louisiana 2020). Court backlog from COVID has impacted jury access. Public defender crisis means delayed trials.

Ramos v. Louisiana; OR court reports; NCSC

-1

Immigration law compliance — Supremacy Clause adherence

OR is a sanctuary state (ORS 181A.820, originally 1987). Kotek maintains and supports sanctuary framework. No ICE cooperation. Driver's licenses for illegal aliens. In-state tuition for illegal aliens. Limited federal cooperation on immigration.

ORS 181A.820; 8 USC 1373; FAIR sanctuary database

-2

Qualified immunity / due process for officers

No action to protect qualified immunity. Oregon's progressive environment hostile to QI.

Various OR sources

-1

Voter ID and ballot chain-of-custody

No voter ID. 1,617 non-citizens erroneously registered through DMV. Motor Voter suspended then resumed.

OPB, Washington Times

-2

Non-citizen voting prevention

Motor Voter registered 1,617 non-citizens. Investigation quietly halted citing 'discrimination concerns.'

OPB, Daily Caller

-1

Women's sports / Title IX — biological sex protections in state-funded athletics

Oregon law allows trans athletes on gender identity teams. Kotek publicly defended this. Named defendant in Title IX lawsuit.

OPB, Willamette Week

-3

Child Welfare & Parental Rights

Meyer v. Nebraska; Pierce v. Society of Sisters; Troxel v. Granville; 14th Amendment

Score: -16 Range: -75 to 75 Items: 25

Parental rights legislation — statutory recognition

OR has no Parental Bill of Rights. Administrative policies in some districts override parental authority. HB 2002 (2023) expanded minor consent for medical procedures. Parental rights weakened.

OR HB 2002; OR legislation

-1

Education choice — school choice programs

OR has very limited school choice. No ESA/voucher programs. Charter schools permitted but limited and underfunded compared to district schools. Strong teachers' union opposition to choice.

EdChoice OR; NAPCS rankings

-2

Parental notification/consent for medical procedures on minors

OR HB 2002 (2023, signed by Kotek) allows minors 15+ to consent to abortion without parental notification. Expands minor consent for gender-affirming care. Among most permissive minor consent frameworks.

OR HB 2002; Guttmacher; OR statutes

-2

Gender-transition procedures for minors — restrictions

OR has no restrictions on gender-transition procedures for minors. State Medicaid covers all transition procedures for minors. Enacted shield law. HB 2002 expanded minor consent for gender-affirming care at age 15 without parental notification. Active facilitation of minor transition.

OR HB 2002; OR Health Plan Medicaid; shield law

-3

Child abuse and neglect — substantiated case rate trend

OR child maltreatment rate above national average. DHS investigations face staffing challenges. Caseworker turnover high. Some system capacity concerns.

ACF NCANDS; OR DHS data

-1

Foster care — CFSR conformity assessment

OR CFSR results below average. Conformity on approximately 3 of 7 outcomes. System capacity strained. Improvement plan underway but slow progress.

ACF CFSR; OR DHS

-1

Foster care — permanency outcomes

OR foster care permanency outcomes below national average. Median time to permanency exceeds 22 months. High percentage of children in care 2+ years. Systemic challenges.

ACF AFCARS; OR DHS

-1

Child trafficking prevention and prosecution

OR has trafficking statute and ICAC participation. Portland is known trafficking hub. Safe harbor provisions exist. Enforcement hampered by law enforcement staffing shortages.

Polaris Project; Shared Hope International; OR DOJ

Education outcomes — 4th grade NAEP reading proficiency

OR 4th grade NAEP reading proficiency approximately 28% at or above proficient (2022), below national average of 32%. Declining from pre-pandemic levels. COVID closures particularly impactful.

NCES NAEP 2022

-1

Education outcomes — 8th grade NAEP math proficiency

OR 8th grade NAEP math proficiency approximately 27% at or above proficient (2022), near national average of 26%. Adequate but not strong.

NCES NAEP 2022

Parental curriculum transparency

OR has limited parental curriculum transparency. Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) mandated (SB 856) with limited opt-out provisions. Some districts implement gender-identity curriculum without meaningful parental notification.

OR SB 856; ODE; school district policies

-2

Social media — minor protections

OR relies primarily on federal COPPA. No comprehensive state social media minor protection law enacted under Kotek.

NCSL; OR legislation

Juvenile justice — age-appropriate treatment

OR juvenile jurisdiction extends to 18. Rehabilitation-focused approach. OYA programs well-regarded. Declining juvenile incarceration. Raise-the-age provisions adequate.

JJDPA; OJJDP OR; OYA

Child poverty rate and state response

OR child poverty rate approximately 14% (2023 ACS), near national average of 16%. Economic growth in Portland metro but rural poverty persists.

Census ACS SAIPE; KIDS COUNT

Adoption and permanency — adoptive family support

OR has standard adoption programs. Processing times average. No faith-based agency protection statute. No notable barriers or enhancements.

ACF AFCARS; OR DHS adoption

Homeschool rights and protections

OR has relatively permissive homeschool framework. Notification required. No curriculum mandates. Testing at grades 3, 5, 8, 10. Diploma recognition. Generally friendly.

HSLDA OR; ORS 339.035

Child sexual abuse material (CSAM) enforcement

OR ICAC task force participates in enforcement. AG's office active. Some staffing challenges affecting prosecution speed. Adequate but not exemplary.

ICAC; NCMEC; OR DOJ

School safety — violence prevention and incident response

OR has Oregon School Safety Tip Line. Some school safety programs. SRO presence in some districts. Umpqua CC shooting (2015, pre-Kotek) drove some improvements. Average framework.

OR SSST; NASRO; ODE

Children's mental health services access

OR school counselor ratio approximately 500:1, worse than national average. Children's mental health access gaps documented. Behavioral health workforce shortage severe. Below average.

ASCA; SAMHSA OR; OR Health Authority

-1

Childhood vaccination — parental choice protections

OR has medical and religious exemptions only (removed philosophical exemption via HB 3063, 2019, pre-Kotek). No philosophical exemption. More restrictive than many states.

NCSL; CDC; OR immunization statutes

-1

Child care affordability and access

OR child care subsidy at approximately 185% FPL. Moderate waitlist. Preschool Promise program expanding. Child care costs high relative to income, particularly in Portland.

ACF CCDF; NWLC; OR DHS

Education — teacher quality and retention

OR teacher vacancy rates elevated (~8-10%). Salary competitive for Pacific NW but below cost-of-living needs in Portland. Retention below 85%. Staffing challenges documented.

NCES; ODE workforce data; NEA

-1

Child nutrition — food insecurity rate

OR child food insecurity approximately 15% (2023), near national average. School meal participation adequate. Some rural food desert concerns.

USDA ERS; Feeding America

Custody and family court — due process in child removal

OR family courts have standard due process framework. Appointed counsel available. Public defender crisis may impact family court representation quality.

OR Judicial Department; ABA

Children with disabilities — IDEA compliance

OR rated 'Needs Assistance' by OSEP for consecutive years. Some districts requiring intervention. Below average IDEA compliance.

OSEP annual determinations; IDEA Part B

-1

Faithful Discharge of Duties

Gubernatorial oath; Art. IV Sec. 4; state constitutional requirements

Score: -19 Range: -123 to 123 Items: 41

Budget balance — structural surplus/deficit

OR budget balanced. Record $5.61B kicker rebate (2023) indicates revenue exceeding forecast. Biennial budgets generally balanced. Constitutional kicker mechanism prevents surplus hoarding but enforces balance.

OR CAFR; NASBO; OR kicker

State credit rating stability

OR holds AA+ (S&P, Fitch) and Aa1 (Moody's) — stable outlook. Not AAA due to PERS liability. No downgrades under Kotek. Strong but not top-tier.

S&P; Moody's; Fitch

Rainy day / budget stabilization fund adequacy

OR Rainy Day Fund approximately $2.5B (7.5% cap of general fund). Education Stability Fund also healthy. Constitutional kicker limits ability to save surpluses. Adequate reserves given constraints.

NASBO; OR Treasury; Pew rainy day

Pension system funding responsibility

PERS funded ratio approximately 78-82% (improved significantly from 60% lows). Making required contributions. SB 1049 (2019) reform helped. Improving trajectory.

Pew pension; PERS CAFR

State debt burden

OR debt per capita near national median. No income tax bonding (unique structure). Debt-to-GDP moderate. Average debt management.

Census; Moody's; OR State Treasurer

Government efficiency — state employee headcount per capita

OR state employee headcount per capita near national median. No significant efficiency reforms under Kotek. Standard government size.

Census Public Employment; BLS

Inspector General / state auditor independence

OR Secretary of State serves as state auditor. Audits division independent. Performance audits well-regarded. Generally responsive to findings.

OR SOS Audits Division; audit reports

Ethics violations and personal scandals

Kotek has no major ethics violations or personal scandals. Some criticism of homelessness spending effectiveness but no formal ethics complaints. Clean personal record.

OR Ethics Commission; financial disclosures

Executive order restraint

Kotek's EO usage within historical norms. Homelessness emergency declaration debatable but not struck down. No EOs overturned by courts. Moderate usage.

OR Governor's EO database

Emergency powers — adherence to statutory limits

Kotek declared homelessness emergency (Jan 2023). Extended executive order on homelessness. Within statutory framework. No COVID-era emergency power controversies (Brown was governor during COVID).

OR emergency statutes; EO 23-02

Legislative cooperation — veto override rate

Kotek works cooperatively with Democratic supermajority legislature. Former House Speaker. Very few vetoes; virtually zero overrides. Highly productive legislative relationship.

OR Legislative Assembly records

Judicial appointments — qualifications and process integrity

Kotek follows standard appointment process. Appointees generally meet qualification standards. No documented patronage or removal for cause.

OR judicial appointments; state bar

Timely execution of laws — implementation of enacted legislation

Measure 110 implementation was disastrous — treatment infrastructure not built as promised. Sanctuary policies constitute non-enforcement of federal law. Some rulemaking delays. HB 4002 (re-criminalization) implementation slow.

State agency data; Measure 110 audit; ICE detainer data

-1

Federal fund utilization — grant management

OR federal grant management generally adequate. Some ARPA utilization concerns regarding homelessness spending effectiveness. No major clawbacks but questions about outcomes.

Federal Audit Clearinghouse; OR CAFR

Public approval as competence indicator

Kotek approval ratings approximately 35-40% (Morning Consult). Among less popular governors. Homelessness crisis and Measure 110 fallout impacted ratings. Won in close 2022 election.

Morning Consult; OR polls

-1

State IT security and data protection

OR has CISO and basic cybersecurity framework. No major breaches during Kotek tenure. Budget adequate. Standard performance.

NASCIO; OR Enterprise Technology Services

Infrastructure spending — capital budget execution

Capital budget execution adequate. IBR project (I-5 bridge) delayed for decades. ASCE grade C for OR infrastructure. Some highway investment but backlog persists.

ASCE OR; ODOT; budget reports

Disaster fund readiness

OR has emergency reserves. FEMA cost-share met for wildfires. Adequate for standard events. Cascadia earthquake risk may exceed preparedness level.

FEMA; OR OEM; disaster fund data

Workforce development — unemployment system integrity

OR unemployment system struggled during pandemic. Employment Department paid $200M+ in fraudulent claims (2020-2021 estimate). System modernization in progress but trust fund recovery slow.

DOL UI Data; OR Employment Dept audits; SOS audit

-1

Medicaid program integrity

OR Health Plan (Medicaid) via CCOs. Error rates near average. CCO model innovative but complex. Budget compliance adequate. No federal sanctions.

CMS PERM; OR Health Authority

Election administration — constitutional compliance

OR has all-mail voting (since 1998). Paper ballot trail. Limited voter ID (signature verification). Post-election audits conducted. Pioneer of mail voting but no photo ID requirement.

EAC EAVS; Verified Voting; OR SOS

Transparency — state budget accessibility

OR has transparency portal. Budget documents accessible. Oregon Transparency website provides spending data. Above average transparency for budget information.

U.S. PIRG; OR Transparency Portal

Intergovernmental cooperation — federal compliance balanced with sovereignty

Sanctuary state policies (ORS 181A.820) constitute systematic non-compliance with federal immigration law. Otherwise cooperative on other federal programs. Non-compliance on immigration enforcement. UPDATE (Apr 2026): 8 anti-ICE bills further increasing non-cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

ORS 181A.820; federal compliance records; DOJ

-3

Gubernatorial succession and continuity planning

No Lt. Governor in OR (Secretary of State succeeds). Clear succession statute. COOP plan exists. Adequate continuity.

OR Constitution; FEMA COOP

Anti-corruption — state procurement integrity

OR procurement generally transparent. Competitive bidding standard. Some concerns about homelessness program contracting oversight. No major procurement scandals.

OR procurement data; state auditor reports

Gas price burden — state gas taxes, refinery regulations, cap-and-trade

Gas tax raised from 40 to 46 cents. $5.8B transportation package. Among highest gas taxes.

OPB, Ballotpedia

-2

Energy affordability — residential electricity costs from state policy

Electricity rates up ~50% since 2020. Pacific Power hiked 10%, PGE 5.5% for 2025.

Oregon Capital Chronicle, OPB

-2

Energy policy competence — forced mandates without infrastructure readiness

HB 2021 mandates zero greenhouse gas by 2040 without adequate infrastructure.

Oregon Capital Chronicle

-2

Property tax burden — effective rate vs national median

Oregon property tax ~0.78%. Measure 5 constitutional limits cap rates. Neutral.

Tax Foundation, Oregon DOR

Regulatory cost burden — permits, compliance costs per household/business

Oregon ranks #1 in occupational licensing burdens. Billions in lost investment.

OPB, Willamette Week

-2

Unfunded mandates on municipalities

Extensive state mandates on municipalities for housing, climate without adequate funding.

Various OR sources

-1

Cost of living trajectory — policy-driven affordability trend

Cost of living driven up by energy rate hikes, gas tax increase, regulatory burden.

OPB, Willamette Week

-2

Immigration fiscal burden — taxpayer cost of sanctuary/benefits policies

Oregon is longstanding sanctuary state. Kotek will follow sanctuary law despite federal threats. UPDATE (Apr 2026): 8 anti-ICE bills further increasing non-cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

Salem Reporter, OPB

-3

Homelessness spending accountability — spending vs measurable outcomes

Extended homelessness emergency three times. Massive spending with problem persisting.

OPB, Oregon Capital Chronicle

-1

Encampment enforcement — response to SCOTUS Grants Pass ruling

State law limits anti-camping enforcement to 'objectively reasonable' standard. Has not aligned with Grants Pass.

OPB, Bolts Magazine

-2

Net domestic migration trend — people leaving vs arriving

Net migration ranking plummeted from 24th to 45th. Natural decline 4 consecutive years.

QualityInfo Oregon, CoStar

-1

Business exodus — corporate HQ and jobs relocating due to policy

Billions in lost investment documented. Businesses choosing other states. Kotek acknowledged problem.

OPB, Willamette Week

-2

DA accountability — governor's power to remove rogue prosecutors

No documented actions to remove rogue prosecutors.

Various OR sources

Election infrastructure — ballot harvesting, drop box security, audit transparency

No voter ID. Motor Voter registered 1,617 non-citizens. Entirely mail-in with minimal verification.

OPB, Oregon Capital Chronicle

-2

Weaponization of state agencies — using AG/regulatory bodies against political opponents

No documented weaponization of agencies.

Various OR sources

Foreign adversary protections — Chinese land, TikTok bans, Confucius Institutes

No state-level action on Chinese land, TikTok, or Confucius Institutes.

Various policy trackers

-1

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