OEA News Releases

Oregon Education Association, American Federation of Teachers-Oregon and Oregon School Employees Association Unite Behind Ted Kulongoski for Governor

Portland, Ore. - Today, Oregon's three largest education organizations announced their support for Ted Kulongoski for Governor, calling it one of the state's most important elections for education. The Oregon Education Association (OEA), American Federation of Teachers-Oregon (AFT) and Oregon School Employees Association (OSEA) commended the Governor's commitment to education at every level, noting he is the only candidate for Governor with a plan for stable, secure funding that will reduce class sizes, ensure a full school year, and make higher education affordable again for all Oregonians.

"The Governor led our state through one of its worst recessions and now he is leading the reinvestment in education necessary to continue this economic progress," said Merlene Martin, President, Oregon School Employees Association. "Ultimately this election is about the direction of education in Oregon for decades to come. Ted Kulongoski is the only candidate who has a plan to ensure stable, adequate funding for our schools that will enable us to continue moving our state forward."
 
The education organizations underscored Governor Kulongoski's recent successes in securing an additional $42 million for public education, a 70 percent increase in Oregon Opportunity Grants to help low-income students pay for college, and $500 million in capital investments in Oregon's universities and community colleges.

The groups also praised the Governor's Education Enterprise plan, which will: guarantee early education, K-12 and post-secondary institutions a minimum 10 percent funding increase each biennium; establish a rainy day fund dedicated to education; and create an investment fund to ensure Oregon is providing education excellence at every level.
 
"The Governor's plan will not only stabilize funding, but it will increase funding for our schools, allowing us to reduce class sizes, restore lost programs - and make shortened school years a thing of the past," said Larry Wolf, President of the Oregon Education Association. "He clearly understands that Oregon's economic future depends on the quality of our public education system. Governor Kulongoski is committed to advancing these priorities."

The groups also point out that Kulongoski is the only candidate in this race talking about increasing the state's investment, not decreasing it, in Oregon's public schools.

"If we want to move Oregon forward, we must provide our children with the highest quality of public education, which means making important investments today," Mark Schwebke, President, AFT-Oregon said.  "While Kulongoski has a plan to increase funding, his opponent Ron Saxton is proposing another round of drastic cuts that will put Oregon back on the funny pages - not the front page for innovation and excellence in education."