A healthy environment is essential to a livable Oregon and a strong economy.

[citation needed] In that role Kulongoski reformed the state's workers' compensation insurance system a move that is widely credited for lowering costs to business. Second term

In February 2007 Kulongoski and State Senator Brad Avakian worked to clarify that Oregon recognizes no position of "state climatologist" in response to the use of that title by Oregon State University professor George Taylor who believes that human activities are not the main cause of global climate change. Kulongoski said the state needs a consistent message on reducing greenhouse gases to combat climate change.

A Democrat he served in both houses of the Oregon Legislative Assembly and also served as the state Insurance Commissioner. : /kʊləŋˈɡɒski/ KUUL-əng-GOS-kee; born November 5 1940) is an American politician who served as the 36th Governor of Oregon from 2003 to 2011.