Tobias Read

Tobias Read
Representative Tobias Read
Member of the Oregon House of Representatives
from the 27th district
In office
2007 –
Preceded by Mark Hass
Personal details
Born 1975
Missoula, Montana
Political party Democratic
Residence Beaverton, Oregon
Alma mater Willamette University, Foster School of Business

Tobias Read is a Democratic member of the Oregon House of Representatives, representing District 27 since 2006, which comprises parts of Beaverton, southwest Portland, and unincorporated Multnomah and Washington Counties. Tobias is serving his fifth term as State Representative during Oregon's 78th Legislature. His notable campaign slogan is, "Leadership for the Long Run." Tobias currently serves as Speaker Pro Tempore. He was formerly the Democratic Majority Whip.

Legislation

Rainy Day Fund: Rep. Read negotiated and led to passage House Bill 2073 (2009), establishing Oregon’s first ongoing funding source for the Oregon Rainy Day Fund.

Higher Education: Rep. Read and Sen. Mark Hass (D-Beaverton) co-chaired the legislature’s Higher Education Work Group. Together, they passed Senate Bill 242 (2011) offering new flexibility and efficiency to Oregon’s higher education system, integrating our community college system, and ensuring accountability to the people.

Business Expansion: Rep. Read was a Co-Chief Sponsor of the Business Expansion Program. Senate Bill 219 (2011) added resources to support Oregon businesses who were expanding and creating new jobs.

Full Day Kindergarten: Rep. Read carried Senate Bill 248 (2011) to passage, making full day kindergarten the norm in Oregon beginning in 2015 and giving Oregon kids a jump start on their education.

EEAST: Rep. Read was a Co-Chief Sponsor and Champion of House Bill 2626, (2009) the Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Technology Act, financing energy efficiency projects to create jobs and reduce energy costs. EEAST attracted a $20 million Federal grant and has been a model for federal legislation.

Solar Feed-In Tariff: House Bill 3039 (2009) established Oregon’s Solar Feed-In Tariff, supporting development and deployment of solar energy technology.

College Savings: House Bill 2728 (2011) allowing Oregonians to deposit some or all of their tax refunds into 529 College Savings Plans.

Entrepreneurship: Rep. Read introduced and passed House Bill 3627 (2010) exempting severance pay from state tax if it is invested in an Oregon small business.

Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon InC): Rep. Read was a Co-Chief Sponsor of funding for unique private-sector led process to connect innovation. The Program brings $7 to Oregon for every $1 invested.

I-5 Bridge Replacement Project: The current I-5 bridge over the Columbia River is in danger of collapsing in the event of an earthquake and causes congestion on the main commercial route between Oregon and Washington. A new bridge design has the goal of being earthquake safe, easing congestion, and would include light-rail and bike lanes.

Committee Assignments

2013 Session

2012 Session

2011 Session

2009 Session

2007 Session

Memberships

Oregon Growth Board (Ex Officio); Oregon Innovation Council (Oregon InC) (Ex Officio); Oregon Business Development Commission (Ex Officio); Co-Chair Legislative Work Group on Higher Education; New Deal Leaders Network; Democratic Leadership Council; Portland Business Journal 40 under 40; Pivotal Leaders.

District

House District 27 runs from the Raleigh Hills neighborhood in the northeast, to the Murrayhill neighborhood in the southwest. It covers parts of the cities of Beaverton and Portland, as well as areas of unincorporated Washington and Multnomah counties.

District 27 is the home to many schools and educational services. Kids in the district tend to be students in the Beaverton School District, and many district residents work at international companies like Nike (one of two Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Oregon)[1] and Intel (Oregon’s largest employer)[1] as well as the small businesses that form the base of Oregon’s economy. Washington County as a whole is often described as the economic engine of the state[1] since a great percentage of the state’s income tax revenue is generated by taxpayers in the county.

Personal life

Rep. Read graduated in 1997 from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, with a bachelor's degree in politics and economics, followed by a MBA from the University of Washington in Seattle in 2003.[2] That year he started working for Nike, Inc. in footwear development, where he remained until 2012.[2] He is married and has two children.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Fortune 500 in Oregon, additional text.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Brettman, Allan (June 8, 2012). "State Rep. Tobias Read leaves Nike to focus on legislative work". The Oregonian. Retrieved June 8, 2012.

External links