SALEM, Ore. (AP) – Gov. Ted Kulongoski urged state legislators Monday to pass a bill outlawing discrimination against homosexuals, saying Oregon must “defend social justice, tolerance and diversity.”

The Democratic governor, in his “state-of-the-state” address to a joint session of the Legislature as it began its 2005 session, said he is submitting a bill that would forbid discrimination against gays in employment, housing and public accommodations.

Kulongoski long has supported such measures, which have never gained legislative approval.

The governor’s proposal could face rough going in the Republican-controlled House, where the GOP holds a 33-27 advantage.

House Majority Leader Wayne Scott of Canby said Monday he didn’t know what chance the bill would have of passing but he would oppose it as unnecessary.

“I don’t believe in discrimination against anyone, but I also don’t believe in special treatment for people,” he said.

Such bills often have had substantial support in the past among Democrats, who have an 18-12 Senate majority.

The governor emphasized the issue Monday as linked to the state’s economy.

“We also face a great moral challenge: To make sure that opportunity is an open door through which every citizen can pass – not a revolving door that turns for some and doesn’t budge for others,” Kulongoski said.

“This is a moral challenge because if we do not defend social justice, tolerance and diversity – then the progress we make on the economic front will be bought with compromised principles and a weakened human spirit,” Kulongoski said. “That is not a trade-off I can accept.”

The Legislature is expected to consider creating civil unions to give same-sex couples many of the rights of married people, which Kulongoski also supports.

On an issue not directly involving the Legislature, Kulongoski chastised the federal government for its effort to reduce water spilled over federal dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers to boost hydroelectric production.

The BPA had argued the effect on salmon runs would be minimal, but the governor said federal agencies are moving toward a stance that harm to fish caused by the dams can be ignored.

“This is absolute nonsense to me _ and to the people of Oregon,” Kulongoski said.

Kulongoski also denounced a federal proposal to open up to road building and logging 58 million acres of roadless forest areas where the activities now are prohibited.

“I do not want to see the breakup of large contiguous roadless areas, which is certain to lead to severe environmental damage,” he said.

On state money matters, the governor defended his proposed 2005-07 budget, which is under heavy fire particularly from education advocates.

“State government has $12 billion to spend – and that’s it,” the governor said. “I will not go looking for more taxes from citizens. I want Oregonians to understand – this is what we can buy with the money we have.”

The governor said the budget increases education spending at all levels, from primary schools through state universities.

He said his proposed $5 billion for state aid to schools is not adequate but “is all we can afford given our current revenues.”

Kulongoski said he remains committed to the notion that “the state of education in Oregon will become – if it isn’t already – the most important measure of the state of our state.

“Nothing will put Oregon’s economy into overdrive faster than a stable, well-funded and accessible” education system, he said.

School officials say at least $5.4 billion is needed to avert shorter school years and bigger class sizes, and it’s expected they will lobby for such steps as closing tax loopholes to generate more revenue.