Speaking at a news conference in Portland, Kotek said she wants action from lawmakers in the first few months of the 2027 session, which begins at the end of January. She pledged to be far more engaged in negotiations than she was during her first term, when she largely deferred to lawmakers.

"I am not going to stand back and wait for the Legislature to figure it out. I need to see progress in the first month, the second month, the third month," Kotek said. "People voted Democrats in because they want stuff to happen, and I need the Legislature to do that. I'm going to be in the building. I'm going to be on top of them every day, saying we got to get stuff done."

Kotek defeated Republican state Sen. Christine Drazan by 8 percentage points, though Drazan had not officially conceded as of Friday afternoon. Kotek said she had not heard from Drazan.

Despite entering the race as one of the least popular governors in the nation, Kotek benefited from widespread dissatisfaction with President Donald Trump and Republicans in Washington, D.C. She said she would engage with voters differently in her second term, including through more social media use, and would reach out to those who were on the fence about her.

**Data center oversight**

Kotek said she wants regulations and state oversight of data center development solidified within the first 60 days of the session. Her proposal would include clear standards and transparency around data center energy and water use, how energy is obtained, and what agreements companies have made with local communities hosting the facilities.

A data center advisory panel Kotek convened earlier this year will share recommendations that will inform her policy proposal. She said the group would also inform legislation to "take on large corporations who are using artificial intelligence on a regular basis to figure out how they can make more money and charge people more."

**Universal preschool and education**

Kotek promised universal statewide childcare by the end of her second term. In October, she reversed her earlier criticism of Portland's Preschool for All program, saying she would find a way to ensure all Oregonians have access to free preschool.

She said the push is part of broader education goals that also include increasing the amount of time Oregon students spend in school — the state has among the shortest school years in the nation — and improving attendance. She said she would continue seeking funding for her early literacy initiative, noting that Oregon children's reading proficiency is among the lowest in the country.

"In terms of how to pay for things, I've made no commitments," Kotek said when asked about potential revenue proposals from progressive groups, including a new wealth tax.

**Budget and transportation**

Kotek's legislative advocacy will begin with her Dec. 1 recommended budget, which she said will include no additional funding for the Oregon Department of Transportation. The agency faces a nine-figure budget deficit, and debates over its funding consumed much of the last two legislative sessions. In May, voters resoundingly rejected a 6-cent gas tax increase and other proposed fee increases.

"That's trade-offs, because that means taking money away from highway projects and other things to pay for basic ops and maintenance. But that's what you'll see in my budget," Kotek said. "If legislators want to do something different, we're going to have to come to the table and talk about it."

**Agency reform and Bend support**

Kotek said she would implement recommendations from her Prosperity Council's June report, which advocated cutting taxes and climate programs while investing state funds in business infrastructure and development. Next week, she will roll out a fast-track permitting program requiring state agencies to approve or deny applications within clear timelines. She also plans to reorganize Business Oregon, the state's economic development agency, into a more hands-on Department of Commerce.

In December, Kotek will ask the Legislative Emergency Board for $10 million for the Bend-La Pine School District and the city of Bend to help pay for services and support in the aftermath of the Oct. 15 school shooting at Silver Rail Elementary that left five people dead, including the gunman.