Medford, Ore. — Governor Kate Brown isn’t wasting any time when it comes to meeting the people she serves.
She made her first appearance in Medford Monday after what’s been a whirlwind first two months in office. Governor Brown stepped into the position amid the ethics scandal that led to the resignation of John Kitzhaber.
Brown went up in a crane to get a closer look at one of Jackson County’s most important bridges, the I-5 viaduct.
“The arterial is key to Oregon’s economy and to move goods up and down the I-5 corridor we must have an alternative,” Brown said. “We must have a transportation corridor that functions not only for the economy but for the safety of Oregonians.”
Several studies show the viaduct isn’t built to withstand a large earthquake that scientists say we’re overdue for.
Transportation and infrastructure were a focus of her keynote speech at a chamber meeting at the Rogue Valley Country Club this afternoon.
“A seismic event could be tragic and could possibly leave this region isolated for many months. This is absolutely unacceptable,” Brown said.
An after another dry winter, Brown’s already declared drought emergencies for five counties including Klamath.
“We can not talk about prosperity and economic recovery without acknowledging the crucial role water plays in our quality of life and our livelihoods,” she said.
Brown asked local leaders to contact state legislators and support a $56 million water resources program that would fund water conservation efforts all over the state.
Brown also visited Jackson Elementary School where she learned about their Head Start programs. She said she’s invested in making early childhood education a priority for the state. Just last week she signed a $7.3 billion kindergarten through 12 budget.
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