1StatesmanJournalminiquestionnaire

Statesman Journal mini-questionnaire for 2016 General

Election
Thank you for responding to this questionnaire.
For those of you who filled out our Primary Election questionnaire this year, this
one is similar although some questions have changed. We ask that you fill this out
completely, instead of referring to the previous questionnaire, or your resume, etc.,
because we will be posting this questionnaire online.
Why this matters: The Statesman Journal Editorial Board will use this
questionnaire in deciding whether and whom to endorse for the Nov. 8 General
Election. Reporters, who operate separately from the Editorial Board, may use your
answers in writing stories.
Please return the finished questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an email or an
attached Word document to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com. (Handwritten, pdf,
WordPerfect or fax responses dont work.)
Important: Please return the questionnaire by the end of the day Monday,
Sept. 12.
Questions? Contact Editorial Page Editor Dick Hughes, 503-399-6727,
dhughes@StatesmanJournal.com, or Editorial Assistant Nancy Harrington, 503-3996864, nharring@StatesmanJournal.com.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Your name as listed on the ballot: Tobias Read
Age: 41
(If your age will change before Nov. 8, please indicate your birthday. We want to
ensure we use accurate ages in pre- and post-election editorials and news
coverage.)
City/town of residence: Beaverton, Oregon
Political party, if this is a partisan office: Democrat
Position you are seeking (name of position, district number, etc.): State Treasurer

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Are you currently a full-time resident within the boundaries of the specific area
(district, county, etc.) that you seek to represent? Yes
Number of current, consecutive years living within the district you seek to
represent: Ive lived in Oregon for the past 13 years. After being born in Montana
and raised in Idaho, I moved here to attend Willamette University.
Family (name of spouse/partner; number and ages of children if at home, or
number of grown children): Heidi Eggert, wife; Two children, ages 3 and 6 (turning
7 in September)
Your education (high school, trade, college, post-baccalaureate; indicate degrees
you earned): BA, Willamette University; MBA, University of Washington Foster
School of Business
If employed, current occupation, employer and job duties: State Representative,
District 27; Speaker Pro-Tempore; Chair of the Higher Education, Innovation, and
Economic Development Committee
Previous employers and when: U.S. Treasury Department 1999-2001; Nike, 20042012; Willamette University 1997-1999; Former Chair of the Transportation and
Economic Development Committee and former Vice-Chair of the Revenue
Committe
Military service and when: N/A
Volunteer/civic/religious service and when: SMART program reader at Greenway
Elementary 2006, Vose Elementary 2014, Portland Parks and Recreation Basketball
Coach 2004-2006
Please list all public offices to which youve been elected, and when: State
Representative, District 27, 2006 present
Please list any unsuccessful candidacies for public office, and when: N/A

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Other prior political and government experience: Special Assistant to U.S. Treasury
Secretary Larry Summers, Legislative Aide to Oregon State Representative Bryan
Johnston
How the public can reach your campaign (remember that this information will be
made public):
Mail address: PO Box 42307, Portland, OR, 97242
E-mail address: contact@tobiasread.com
Web site URL: www.TobiasforOregon.com
Phone: (503) 476-1523
Facebook and other social media: Facebook,
www.facebook.com/TobiasReadOregon; Twitter, @tobiasread
Please limit your response to each of the following questions to about 75 words.
1. To an outsider, how would you describe the region you wish to represent -geographically, economically, politically and socially?
One thing Ive always been struck by is how diverse Oregon is. Between the forests
surrounding Mt. Hood, the public beaches on the Oregon Coast, the mountains
near Bend and Central Oregon, the ranches in Eastern Oregon, the wine country in
Southern Oregon, and the unique city of Portlandits unlike any other state in the
country. And the people in Oregon reflect just how different it is here.
2. Describe the positives and negatives of this region (ward, district, county or
state) that you wish to represent:
Oregons economy is growing, and we need to foster an environment that supports
small and growing businesses that represent the varied talent in our state. At the
same time, we need to increase our investments in things that will benefit our kids
and grandkids, like education, retirement savings, and fixing congestion. We have
an opportunity to build things that will last in the long run, and Ill be focusing on
those issues as State Treasurer.
3. What specific skills or experiences do you have that would make you effective in
this office?

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Our next Treasurer should be focused on the long run and thats what Ive done as
a State Representative. For example, I led the effort to make it easier for a million
Oregonians whose employers dont offer a retirement plan to save for their own
retirements. This effort, which will be implemented by the next State Treasurer, will
position Oregon as a national leader in retirement security. I also led the effort to
create Oregons Rainy Day Fund because prudent, responsible budgeting is
essential in the long-run.
4. What separates you from your opponent(s)? Be specific.
Im running a positive campaign based on my plans as Treasurer and what Ive
succeeded in doing as a State Legislator. Im the only candidate who led the
successful effort to fund full day kindergarten for every school in Oregon. Studies
have shown that full day kindergarten makes a big difference in the lives of
children, so every Oregon child deserves that opportunity. Im the only candidate
with a plan to help Oregon make needed investments in roads, bridges, and
schools.
5. How much will your General Election campaign cost? Be specific.
Over the past year, weve been working hard to travel around the state and
communicate our message with voters. Weve raised over $550,000 so far, and will
continue our efforts between now and November.
6. Have you ever been convicted of a crime, been disciplined by a professional
licensing board/organization or had an ethics violation filed against you? If so,
please give the details.
No, I havent.
7. Have you ever filed for bankruptcy, been delinquent on your taxes or other
major accounts, or been sued personally or professionally? If so, please give the
details.
No, I havent.
8. Is there anything (such as health issues, etc.) that would affect your ability to
serve your full term? Are any relevant changes in your life situation expected or
contemplated before the election or before you would take office?

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I dont have any health issues that I know of that would affect my ability to serve
my full term, and Im not expecting any changes in my life situation.
9. What are the three most important issues you would address if elected, and
how? (75 words for each issue)
A. I will work to ensure the State Treasurers office isnt wasting taxpayer money.
We need to focus on carefully managing State investments to maximize returns,
reduce costs to taxpayers, and ensure reliable funding for things like education and
much-needed critical services. This means that we need all the information
available so we can make the best decisions for our State.
B. Too many Oregonians are retiring into poverty and struggling to get by. Im
proud of the work we did to pass our retirement savings legislation, and Ill
continue to make that a priority as your next State Treasurer. When we help people
save for their retirements, we can give everyone the opportunity to retire with
dignity
C. We need to ensure that every child in Oregon has access to a quality education.
Higher education has become unaffordable and out of reach for too many. Last
year, we made community college more accessible by giving Oregon students an
opportunity to attend for very low cost. I plan to continue looking for opportunities
to help families save for college and make college more affordable.
10. What do you see as other important issues?
Congestion is a serious problem. When I think about the investments we need to
make in our state, I ask myself if I could get to my kids swim class on time, or if a
fire truck could get to our house in an emergency. And I realize that our roads and
bridges need serious repairs and upgrades. We need to make sure that local
business owners can get their goods to market, and that were focused on making
the long-overdue improvements we need.
11. There is a strong anti-government sentiment in much of the nation and Oregon.
How would you deal with that?
As State Treasurer, I plan to be open and transparent about whats going on in the
office. I will make it a priority to travel around the state and talk to Oregonians
about their own experiences and what theyre seeing day to day.
12. How would you evaluate the work of the Attorney General's Public Records
Reform Task Force. Are the proposed changes adequate, inadequate or just right?

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I look forward to supporting their work throughout the legislative session.Its clear
that theres a lot more work that needs to be done. This is an important first step,
and we need to keep discussing ways we can be more open and more transparent.
13. Any skeletons in your closet or other potentially embarrassing information that
you should disclose before it comes up in the campaign?
Ive been honest with voters throughout the campaign and throughout my time as
an elected official. I look forward to continuing that as State Treasurer.
14. As a political candidate, your views on national politics are relevant to voters.
Whom do you support for U.S. president in the General Election?
I support Secretary Clinton in the General Election. The hateful and divisive
rhetoric from Donald Trump is unacceptable, and I look forward to moving past this
presidential election in November.
15. As a political candidate, your views on state ballot measures are relevant to
voters. Please indicate whether you favor (YES) or oppose (NO) each of these
measures:
Measure 94, Amends Constitution: Eliminates judges mandatory retirement age.
YES NO
Measure 95, Amends Constitution: Allows investments in equities by public
universities. YES NO
Measure 96, Amends Constitution: Dedicates 1.5% of state lottery net proceeds
to services for Oregon veterans. YES NO
Measure 97, statutory: Increases corporate minimum tax when sales exceed $25
million. YES NO
Measure 98, statutory: Requires state funding for dropout prevention, career and
college readiness programs in high schools. YES NO
Measure 99, statutory: Creates Outdoor School Education Fund funded through
Lottery to provide outdoor school programs statewide. YES NO
Measure 100, statutory: Bans purchase or sale of parts/products from certain
wildlife species. YES NO

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Thank you. Please return this questionnaire to the Editorial Board as an

attached Word document to Salemed@StatesmanJournal.com by Sept.
12, 2016.