John Kitzhaber, who was elected to his first term as governor in 1994, is expected to run for re-election next year.

GRADING THE GOVERNOR
 
For his performance during the past legislative session, we'd give him a C-minus.

The just-completed session of the Oregon Legislature was instructive in many ways. Among the revelations:

* The burdens of term limits far outweigh the benefits.

* Republicans may claim to dislike taxing, but they have no problem spending.

* Patrons of racetracks seem to have more clout in Salem than do supporters of libraries.

The most telling discovery?

John Kitzhaber is a mere mortal.

During his three years in office, our governor has led a uniquely charmed life. His record popularity is partly due to Oregon's thundering economy, but it is also a function of his persona, which combines an apolitical style, moderate views and rugged good looks.

But a close look at the governor's record this past session suggests that despite these advantages, he has been far from a commanding chief executive. That the Legislature was in Republican control mitigates, but does not change, the assessment that the governor performed poorly this session--especially if you measure him against the standards he set.

On a number of issues Kitzhaber himself identified as central, he got shellacked. He was unable to retain the surplus income-tax revenues known as the "kicker." He failed in his effort to raise money for transportation, an initiative that, at the beginning of the session, enjoyed Republican and business support. His effort to pass a bottle tax to fund parks and the restoration of salmon runs never got out of the gate.

 Although he succeeded in his pledge to fund schools, even that victory was hollow. While additional tax dollars moved across the table toward K-12, the bulk of those funds simply replaced local property taxes lost to Measure 47. On a statewide basis, schools are receiving approximately the same amount they did last biennium, adjusted for inflation and increased enrollment. In some districts, the reality is even more discouraging: Next year the Portland Public School District will eliminate 85 teaching positions.

Even on issues that don't have a big price tag, Kitzhaber had a discouraging session.

In the governor's Jan. 13 State of the State speech, he made a number of pledges to "change the way government works." But other than replacing the heads of a few agencies, he has had little success.

In the education arena, the governor proposed creating a statewide teacher salary schedule. He said he would provide incentives for teachers to upgrade their skills. He said he would ask the Legislature to change teacher licensing laws so it would be easier for classrooms to use teachers assistants and experts in the community.

In each of these areas, Kitzhaber flunked. In some cases, he didn't even try.

The charge against Kitzhaber has long been one of parochialism--that he has a narrow range of interests, albeit ones about which he cares deeply. This session would seem to bear that out. His two principal victories came in areas he has long championed--natural resources (he put together a coho restoration plan) and health care (he secured additional funding for the Oregon Health Plan).

Kitzhaber's otherwise mediocre session does not bode well should he, as expected, run for re-election next year. Moving forward, he needs to broaden the agenda for which he genuinely feels passion.