PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) – Oregon’s first legislative session of 2024 begins next week, and Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek says she’s expecting big things in the next 35 days.
While outlining her top priorities to the public, the governor said housing, homelessness and the fentanyl crisis are at the top of her list. And in a rare appearance of Democrats and Republicans side by side on Tuesday, legislators agreed.
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But while the parties appeared united behind these big issues, trouble could come as they begin to discuss solutions.
State lawmakers said more needs to be done to provide housing and take care of the homeless, prompting them to work on the critical shortage of housing supply and rent assistance .
Gov. Kotek wants support for her bill that would allow cities to expand urban growth boundaries to make room for new housing as long as 30% of that housing is “affordable.” She also wants lawmakers to approve millions to keep existing shelters open.