Portland Business Journal: Oregon Democrats Stand Behind Obama's State of the Union Messages

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By Andy Giegerich

Oregon's Democratic lawmakers embraced several messages President Obama delivered in his State of the Union address.

For starters, Obama called for high school graduates to have access to two years of community college classes for free.

Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, whose district ranges from Portland's west side to the northern Oregon Coast, attended the event with Beaverton teacher David Wilkinson.

Wilkinson "has taught at Westview High School for more than 13 years, and is dedicated to quality public education," Bonamici said in a release. "We must do more to elevate his profession and provide teachers like David with support they need to prepare and inspire the next generation."

Bonamici joined Sen. Ron Wyden in praising Obama's efforts to close the U.S.'s growing wage gap.

"This Congress will be measured by how much it increases wages for middle-class and all working families and expands opportunities in education and housing," Wyden said.

"I'm glad the President spent so much of his speech walking us through his ideas for providing opportunity in pay, housing and education and providing help for middle-class and all working families in Oregon and across the country."

Rep. Greg Walden, an Eastern Oregon Republican, issued this video address on the speech last night.

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