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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Cheers to jobs, fish; jeers to canceled insurance ... From the council: Medford-Alba sister city bond is a special one ... Emergency Services ... Our View: Cheers to jobs, fish; jeers to canceled insurance ... From the council: Medford-Alba sister city bond is a special one ... Emergency Services ... Governor Brown says Oregon 'back on track' in State of the State address Comment By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Apr. 17, 2015 at 5:16 PM By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Apr. 17, 2015 at 5:16 PM » Social News PORTLAND — Seeking to turn the page on the influence-peddling controversy that toppled her predecessor, Gov. Kate Brown said Friday that Oregon is "through the hardest part of that transition." The Democratic governor said recovering from the scandal that led to John Kitzhaber's resignation has been an obvious focus of her first two months in office. But she took pains in her first State of the State address to point out that she's a different governor. "Although there is much still to be done, we are back on track, working together and moving forward," Brown told civic leaders from the City Club of Portland at a lunch meeting. "Ahead, there are blue skies and green lights." She insisted she's prepared for the challenge. Before becoming governor, Brown was the secretary of state. "Although the circumstances may have been less than ideal, let me just say up front: I don't feel like I was thrown into the deep end of the pool," Brown told civic leaders from the City Club of Portland at a lunch meeting. "I dove in." Kitzhaber resigned in February amid suspicion that his fiancee, Cylvia Hayes, used her relationship with him to earn lucrative consulting contracts. State and federal authorities are investigating. The couple have denied wrongdoing. While noting the controversy surrounding Kitzhaber, Brown stressed her own work since she took office — she's signed 32 bills, she said, and she's visited eight cities outside Portland and Salem. She also outlined an agenda of her own, borrowing in many places from Kitzhaber's agenda. Brown called on lawmakers to approve ethics bills and a transportation package and to fund community colleges and affordable housing. She also expressed grave concern for climate change and the dangers posed by drought and wildfires. On transportation, Brown said congestion — particularly in Washington County — is harming businesses and commuters. She said fixing the problem will require new money — a tax increase. "Now is the time for the Oregon Legislature to step up and make these investments," Brown said. Republicans walked away from discussions of raising the gas tax or vehicle registration fees to fund highway and transit improvements. GOP lawmakers objected to a climate-change bill known as the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, signed by Brown, that Republicans say will raise gas prices. "An invitation from the Governor to put aside partisanship to pass a transportation package should start with opening a discussion on Low Carbon Fuel Standards, which is part of the Portland-centric partisan agenda," Senate Republican Leader Ted Ferrioli said in a statement. Brown also called on lawmakers to increase funding for higher education, and she touted a request for funding to build 4,000 new units of affordable housing in five years. In response to a question following her speech, Brown said she'd sign a bill requiring background checks on all gun sales. A background-check bill passed the state Senate last week and is expected to come up soon in the House. By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Jonathan J. Cooper The Associated Press Posted Apr. 17, 2015 at 5:16 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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