A Successful Session, An Energized Interim

We wrapped up the 2007 legislative session at the end of June. With Democrats leading the way in the House for the first time in sixteen years, the Oregonian judged us to be “on time, on budget, on target.” I’m proud of the work we did; making good on our pledges to lead on a roadmap for Oregon’s future. We put children first by reinvesting in education, from head start to higher ed, prudently created a Rainy Day Savings Fund, and restored Oregon’s reputation as an environmental leader (including updating the bottle bill, setting a renewable energy standard, and investing in biofuels) – to name just a few of my own highlights.

Though there’s much to toast from the last session, there’s much to build on and much more to do. Two items that went unfinished during the session will be on your 2007 ballot when it arrives in a few weeks. At issue are land use laws with a proposed fix to Measure 37 and providing primary health care to Oregon’s children in the Healthy Kids Plan, Measures 49 and 50 respectively. I voted to send both to the ballot and would encourage you to support them. You can learn more about these important tools for Oregon’s future by reading the legislative statement of support for Measure 49 and Measure 50.

It was unfortunate we couldn’t find common ground on these and other issues like reform of the Corporate Minimum Income Tax and a transportation investment package. I’m hopeful that we can build on our other successes.

I’m also pleased to announce my election as Assistant Majority Leader. We have an ambitious agenda to invest in Oregon and its working families, and a leadership team to further that agenda. I’m also tasked with recruiting the bright, new class of community leaders who will – through hard work and strong ideas – join me in Salem to get to work for Oregon. Please consider joining our investment by making a contribution to my campaign.

The success of last session drives my passion to do more for Oregon’s long run.

I’ll be hard at work serving on the interim, Energy and Environment, and Transportation Committees as well as continuing my role as Vice Chair of the Revenue Committee. I’m also enjoying my new role as an ex-officio member of the Oregon Innovation Council.

It’ll be a busy interim with my work at Nike, my legislative work, and a special February Session on the horizon, but I’m excited to explore new ideas and gain from your perspective.

As always, I’m interested in hearing from you, so please feel free to contact us by email (contact-at-tobiasread.com) or mail (PO Box 2101; Beaverton, OR; 97075). You can explore our state legislative page here.