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Our View: Bipartisanship is easier said than done Tuesday Jan 10, 2017 at 12:01 AM Oregon's Democratic Gov. Kate Brown invoked iconic Republican leaders Mark Hatfield and Tom McCall in her inaugural address Monday, pledging, in McCall's words, "to work not in partisanship, but in partnership." But Republican leaders weren't buying it, and Brown must be prepared to offer more than platitudes if she hopes to win their cooperation. Brown was sworn in Monday as an elected governor for the first time since she was elevated to succeed Gov. John Kitzhaber, who resigned in 2015. Brown now will serve the remaining two years of Kitzhaber's term before facing a re-election campaign again in 2018. Brown called for adopting a much-needed transportation package in the legislative session that starts next month, and for reforms to the state's Public Employee Retirement System, although she and Democratic leaders largely have dismissed reform suggestions they say would be overturned by the courts. She offered no specific pension reforms Monday. The transportation package was on the table in the 2015 session, but minority Republicans insisted that Democrats agree to repeal a clean fuel bill they said would raise gas prices before they would agree to a gas tax increase to pay for the road and bridge work. Despite lengthy negotiations, a deal proved elusive, and the transportation package was declared dead. Brown also called Monday for reforming the state's tax system — something she wants to tackle in 2018. For now, the state faces a $1.7 billion shortfall in the two-year budget that must be enacted this year. The same voters who elected Brown in November soundly rejected a massive corporate tax increase. Republicans, mindful of that reality, are in no mood to help. Democrats control the House and the Senate, but are one vote shy of the three-fifths majority they need in each chamber to raise taxes. Despite Brown's call for bipartisan cooperation, House Minority Leader Mike McLane, R-Powell Butte, issued a statement indicating he's skeptical. "Our state will only reach its true potential when Governor Brown and her Democratic colleagues embrace bipartisanship, not only when it is convenient, but especially when it is not," McLane said. "While Governor Brown’s remarks today included some encouraging words about her priorities in the upcoming session, words alone will not be enough to address the challenges facing our state." Brown has appeared cautious and calculating since she assumed the state's top job. Now, with her first election campaign behind her and a tough legislative session just ahead, she needs to demonstrate the leadership the state needs. That means meeting Republican lawmakers halfway, even, as McLane said, when it's not convenient.