PORTLAND, Ore. -- Gov. Ted Kulongoski visited Portland Wednesday, pleading for help from the state’s business leaders.

The 7th annual Oregon Leadership Summit drew a large crowd as the governor explained his economic vision to the business community.

Earlier this month, Kulongoski laid out his budget priorities to Salem lawmakers, but this week he and other political heavyweights, including U.S. Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., addressed the state’s financial needs to an audience of hundreds.

 More: Governor lays out budget priorities

Wyden said Oregon is “unusually well-positioned” to get through the recession, adding that the state is prepared to take advantage of a federal stimulus package expected to focus on green energy and transportation projects.

Meantime, Kulongoski asked business leaders to support his “education-first priority,” health care reform and infrastructure jobs program.

Sustainable business and development practices will supplement his state stimulus plan, Kulongoski said.

“We have a vision about where we want to go because this cycle will end, and where we want to be when it ends is at the starting line,” the governor said. “We’re ahead of everybody else because we made the smart investments.”

Kulongoski spoke about new high school diploma requirements and income tax kicker reform as well as a sunset on the gasoline tax in 10 years.

Instead of taxing gasoline, the governor envisions congestion or mileage fees for drivers.

Oregon currently faces a $1.5 billion deficit heading into the next biennium, according to state economists, and Kulongoski told business leaders his “economic repair plan” would not succeed without help from the Legislature and those in attendance at the summit.

Wyden also told the business community that Oregon was poised to become the green energy capital of the world.