Kurt Kessler
"It's the Election of 2006 that made what we accomplished in 2007 possible. Without a predominantly pro-labor legislature and governorship, the hard work we put into Lobby Days and our other lobbying programs would have produced slim results...." Kurt Kessler, Dept of Human Services, Medford CAPE Committee Member
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Governor Stands Up for Working Families

This session, the Governor came through for working families time and time again.
Gov Ted Kulongoski
The Governor signed Executive Orders recognizing the right to organize for 12,000 child care providers and for 3,700 adult foster care providers.
Understanding Executive Orders can be overturned by future Governors, he stood with us in our fight to get these rights written into law.
The passage of these laws is the biggest expansion of bargaining rights for Oregon workers in 34 years.
Governor Kulongoski played a key role in the negotiations to suspend the corporate kicker in order to create a rainy-day fund. His efforts played no small part in making corporations pay their fair share in funding public services during the next economic downturn.


He led the fight in the Capitol for Healthy Kids.

This program would provide health coverage to all Oregon children. This was the Governor's top priority in 2007, but it takes a super-majority of the legislature to enact this law. There were enough legislators willing to stand up to Big Tobacco to get the issue on the November ballot, but not enough to pass the legislation outright.

His commitment to children was further demonstrated by his push to improve the child care program for working parents. Oregon had been 49th in the country in affordable and accessible day care for low-wage parents. The Governor fought for increased funding and subsidies so more working parents can find someone to watch their kids. Oregon is now a top tier state in child care.
Higher Education was another priority for the Governor. He led the fight for a 23% increase in funding for Oregon's colleges and universities. He stood with us for improved services - especially in the areas of repair and deferred maintenance of facilities.

He advocated for seniors and care providers by fighting for improved safety in nursing homes. The Governor included funds in his budget to increase staffing levels in nursing homes so that there are enough care providers to maintain quality patient care. When the funds were on the chopping block, he worked hard to successfully get the money restored in the final budget.

Accountability Matters
After SEIU held Governor Kulongoski accountable for his actions in his first term, he became a much strong leader on workers' rights in 2007. His leadership - going to bat repeatedly for SEIU members behind the scenes - was a tremendous help in achieving our victories.
SB400: Mandatory Bargaining Over Safety Representative Chuck Riley (Hillsboro ), supporter of SB 400; Jim Walker(Vice President of the Oregon State Hospital local) ; GovernorKulongoski ; and Dan Ferguson (President of Oregon Youth Authority Local) stand together on the day the Governor signed SB 400.

SB 400provides for mandatory bargaining over safety and staffing for non-strikeable public employees.