Kate Brown in 2018 OR Governor's race

On Education: Seamless system of education, from cradle to career

"To reach these goals, my strategy includes: guaranteed preschool for low income children; improved class sizes in kindergarten through third grade; implementing a full, 180-day school year; and increased investments in career technical education and post-secondary pathways."

Governor Brown's agenda for creating a seamless system of education is grounded in best practice research and data-driven analysis.

On Free Trade: International trade supports a half million Oregon jobs

"Grow Our Own" calls on us to invest in Oregon-based industries and businesses, and help them grow and thrive. In order for our traded sector businesses to grow, they must continue to access new markets around the globe. 95% of the world's consumers are located outside the U.S. The potential for economic growth through exports is great.

International trade supports nearly a half million Oregon jobs; in the city of Portland alone, that means about 268,000 jobs. For every one traded manufacturing job, three additional local jobs are generated.

Business Oregon is serious about keeping the state's international trade healthy. Director Sean Robbins held a "Doing Business in Oregon" seminar in Japan last month. The trip's goal was to recruit Japanese companies to open U.S. operations in Oregon. I look forward to my first trade mission to Asia in October to follow up on Business Oregon's great work.