Issue Position: Improving Public Education

Issue Position

Val first got involved in Oregon politics over a decade ago working for grassroots education groups like Stand for Children and fighting for adequate and stable funding for K­12 education. Since taking office, Val has continued to stand up for education and served as the Vice­ Chair of the House Higher Education Sub­-Committee. In the last three years as Majority Leader of the Oregon House, Val has made protecting public education one of her top priorities.
Val is helping lead the effort in Salem to create a seamless education pathway from birth to higher education that focuses on the best outcomes for students. In 2013, Val led Democrats in the House to pass the largest K­12 budget in Oregon history--increasing education funding by over $1 billion. Even during the worst days of the financial crisis, Val never gave up on her commitment to find solutions to reduce class sizes and add school days.
Val is a tireless advocate for our state universities and community colleges. She has worked to reform our higher education system through innovative ideas to make college more affordable and accessible--like the University of Oregon's New Partnership Proposal and the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. She's been an advocate for increasing workforce development programs at our community colleges. And Val voted to freeze college tuition at Oregon's public universities and to increase financial aid so more Oregonians could go to college.

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