• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Lane County Republicans

"Turning Lane County Red"

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter
  • Donate
  • PCP Info
    • Learn About and Become a PCP
    • Online PCP Appointment Application
    • PCP Resource Page
    • LCRP PCP Handbook
    • ORP PCP Statewide Manual
    • Oregon Republican Platform 2021
    • ORP Bylaws
    • LCRCC Bylaws
    • Official Oregon Recall Manual
    • Oregon Petition Circular Training Manual
    • Precincts & Maps
    • SEL-105D Precinct Committee Person Write-in Form
  • Volunteer
    • Volunteer Form Online
    • Write Letter
    • Talk on the Radio!
  • Events
  • Run for Office
    • Elected Officials
    • Ratings of Oregon Lawmakers
    • Election Calendar 2022
  • Voter Registration
    • Check or Update Voter Registration
    • Voter Integrity
  • Links
    • Patriot Links
    • Vaccine Exemptions
    • Viewpoints
    • Oregon House Press Releases
    • Oregon Senate Press Releases
    • Post Archives
  • About
    • Contact
  • Patriot Shop
You are here: Home / Uncategorized / Where is Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read?

Where is Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read?

In 2016 Tobias Read was elected Oregon State Treasurer. In that time, Oregonians have seen significant issues financially impact Oregon including PERS changes, a Corporate Activity Tax, a proposed Cap/Trade tax and now, COVID-19 economic lockdown and reopening.

Whatever one’s political stripes, we can agree these issues have major Treasury policy implications for Oregon.  The Oregon Blue Book says, “The Treasurer serves as the chief financial officer and is responsible for the prudent management of billions of taxpayer dollars.”  Mr. Read, via the Treasury website, describes himself as “the navigator for sound and responsible financial policy.”  If you were paying an individual to serve as financial navigator, would you expect that person to present a clear accounting of the effects of your decisions?  I certainly would.

Instead of directly addressing the unprecedented economic blow Oregon has taken from COVID-19, Mr. Read offers hollow platitudes…… “…..we will get through this…..” and “……this is not the time to worry about the stock market numbers (pro-tip: they will go back up).”  Oregonians don’t need pandering from their Treasurer.  Those most vulnerable among us certainly don’t need stock tips from an unlicensed financial advisor. We need a Treasurer who address’s Oregon’s fiscal challenges openly and directly confronts difficult policy implications.  Mr. Read does not publicly speak to hard truths and painful steps.  Instead, he pivots to superfluous editorial commentary, or, simply remains silent.

We all have opinions about striking a balance between Oregonians’ lives and livelihoods.  The economic and social damage Oregonians are suffering is immense.  Although you won’t hear it from Mr. Read, consequences to the state’s fiscal condition are equally dire.

Avoiding difficult topics by talking about soft, unrelated issues is an abdication of responsibility caused by misaligned priorities.  Mr. Read consistently puts his burning desire to be Governor above his responsibilities as State Treasurer. Why? Because diligently fulfilling his responsibilities as Treasurer and meeting Oregon’s many fiscal challenges might constrain his political positioning relative to his cherished gubernatorial aspirations. Hence, he is conspicuously silent on the enormous economic and social impact to Oregonians.

The health and fiscal impact of COVID-19 is real and is painful to all – whether or not you are sick, know someone who is sick, know family and friends who have been laid-off, or found yourself in one of those positions.  As documented by the Oregonian, the economic and health hardships disproportionately impacted some areas and communities more than others.  The elderly and other select members of our population are uniquely vulnerable and deserve our unqualified commitment to their continued safety.  In Oregon, many employees and small business owners are mere days away from unemployment and financial ruin, the aggregate costs of which may dwarf the potential benefits of extending social quarantine measures.

COVID-19 can kill.  So can poverty.  This is not economics vs. public health: this is real-time cost/benefit assessment with huge stakes.

When does Oregon’s Chief Financial Officer start talking publicly about reopening and whether or not that approach will achieve the best outcome when all available data, costs and benefits are considered?

We deserve details from the Treasurer’s office, not empty platitudes and misguided, unrelated commentary.

Oregonians are capable of understanding and weighing risks associated with COVID-19. They also unequivocally support substantial, continued preventive measures that serve those members of our population most at risk.  Vague, but politically unassailable mantras of “we will get through this” from the state’s top financial officer are not helpful.  Instead Oregonians need a regular update from Mr. Read on the economic and social costs accruing from the lockdown and how Salem is managing taxpayer’s dollars during this crisis.

The calculation involved in developing policies that balance lives and livelihoods is challenging.  An effective leader combines heart, humility and hard evidence while continuing to inform and engage the public.  Mr. Read’s silence and inaction is inexcusable.  It’s time for a new Treasurer in Oregon.

Jeff Gudman is the Republican candidate in the General Election for Oregon State Treasurer. The seat is presently held by Democrat Tobias Read, who is running for reelection.

  • Jeff Gudman
  • Member – Lake Oswego City Council 2011 – 2018
  • 2016, 2020 Candidate for State Treasurer
  • 4088 Orchard Way, Lake Oswego
  • 503-697-7150
  • JGudman7150@msn.com
  • www.JeffGudman.org
Please follow and like us:
fb-share-icon
Tweet
Pin Share

Related

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Primary Sidebar

Language Translator

HQ AND PATRIOT SHOP HOURS

  • Lane County GOP HQ
  • 35817 Highway 58, Pleasant Hill, OR 97455
  • Open Wed – Fri 10AM – 5PM
  • Phone: 458-215-8218

Recent Posts

  • Oregon Senate’s Passage of Semiconductor Bill Points to the Need for Additional Legislation to Follow
  • Senator Knopp Leads Oregon Senate in Passing Bipartisan Bill Removing Rural Housing Construction Barrier
  • House Republican Caucus Proposes “Safe Schools Package”
  • House Republican Caucus Calls for Reconsideration of House Bill 3520 on Three-Year Anniversary of the “Stay Home, Save Lives” Executive Order
  • Homelessness Package is Only the First Step in Addressing the Housing Backlog
  • Knopp, Breese-Iverson, Boquist Send Letter to the Governor Urging Independent Nonpartisan Counsel to Investigate OLCC
  • House Republican Leader Issues Statement Following House Passage of House Bill 2279 – Radical Expansion of Assisted Suicide
  • Senators Brock Smith, Weber, Representative Osborne Introduce Bill Protecting Waterways from Toxic Pollution from Homeless Camps
  • House Republican Leader’s Statement on Passage of Housing and Homelessness Legislation to Address Oregon’s Crises
  • Senate Republicans Criticize Extreme Bill Allowing Convicted Felons Including Murderers and Rapists to Vote While in Prison

Your Donation Helps in the Fight to Reclaim Our County, State and Nation

GOP Patriot Shop

Free Online Courses

Resources

  • Candidates Corner – midterm 2022
  • Candidates Corner – primary 2022
  • Check or Update Voter Registration
  • COVID Vaccine Mandate Exemption Resources
  • Covid-19 Guidelines and Press
  • Difference Between Republic and Democracy
  • Donate to Your Local GOP
  • Elected Officials
  • Election Calendar 2022
  • Events
  • File Sharing
  • Get Involved
  • Lane County GOP Patriot Shop
  • LCRCC Bylaws
  • LCRCC Bylaws
  • LCRP PCP Handbook
  • Learn About and Become a PCP
  • Online PCP Appointment Application
  • Oregon Petition Circular Training Manual
  • Oregon Republican Party Platform
  • Oregon Republican Platform 2021
  • ORP Bylaws
  • ORP PCP Statewide Manual
  • ORP Standing Rules
  • PCP Resource Page
  • Post Archives
  • Precincts & Maps
  • Ratings of Oregon Lawmakers
  • Register to Vote
  • Run for Office
  • SEL-105D Precinct Committee Person Write-in Form
  • Small Business Owner’s Guide to CARES Act
  • Volunteer | Lane County Republicans
  • Voter Integrity

Twitter Feed

[fts_twitter twitter_name=LaneOregon tweets_count=6 cover_photo=no stats_bar=no show_retweets=no show_replies=no]

Footer

More to See

President Trump’s Speech at National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC) Dinner

COVID Vaccine Mandate Exemption Resources

PrecinctStrategy.com – Become a Precinct Committee Person!

Keeping Track of Your Employees

Interactive Map to Find your Legislator

How is your Legislator Voting?

What’s being filed in Salem?

Track Bills in Salem

Oregon Legislative Updates

Track Bills, Votes, Members of Congress

Search

© 2023 · Lane County Oregon Republicans · Official Site of Lane County Republican Central Committee· Login