2005 session could be key to governor's 2006 support

He was alienated from some interest groups in '03 session

BY BRAD CAIN
The Associated Press


January 10, 2005

Cracking down on methamphetamine use, creating jobs, persuading legislators to adopt a live-within-your-means budget -- these are among Gov. Ted Kulongoski's top priorities for the 2005 legislative session.

Some of the Democratic governor's traditional allies -- labor unions and environmentalists among them -- see the coming session as a chance for Kulongoski to redeem himself after giving what they say was lackluster support to their causes in 2003.

The political backing of those groups is important to Kulongoski, who is hoping that the 2005 session, which gets under way today, will help him set the stage for a successful 2006 re-election campaign.

In an interview, Kulongoski made it clear that he is ready to pursue a vigorous agenda in the Legislature after a year in which he was distracted by events that often seemed beyond his control.

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