Fellow Oregonians,
At a time when so many people feel disconnected from their government, our focus must shift—from promises to outcomes, from rhetoric to results. We are facing urgent challenges–from the high costs of rent and day care, to the scourge of drugs and the tragedy of untreated mental illness. These emergencies demand accountability and swift, effective action. When systems fail, the fallout is more than frustration— people’s lives are on the line. Communities must be able to trust that the government they vote for and pay for with their hard-earned tax dollars is working for them. A lack of trust fuels disengagement and division, which only makes it harder for us to move forward and solve problems together.
Disconnection from government and institutions is not unique to Oregon, nor is it confined to one level of government. But re-engagement, the rebuilding of trust, often starts closer to home. At the state and local levels, we have the opportunity to show that progress is possible, that good ideas can become real solutions, and that trust can be restored—not through empty promises, but through effective execution. We can only gain that progress by the discipline and persistence that execution requires.
The Oregon Blue Book is more than a catalog of our state’s history, government, and communities; it is a tool for reconnection and re-engagement. It reflects the diversity of who we are and the shared aspirations that unite us. Wallace Stegner’s observations about the American West hold true for Oregon. He wrote, “One cannot be pessimistic about the West. This is the native home of hope.” Oregon can and should be the home for hope. His vision of cooperation and community reminds us that Oregon’s strength has always been found in shared effort, not in isolation. Of engagement, not division.
This edition of the Blue Book is an invitation. It asks you to look beyond your own perspective and engage with your neighbors, especially those whose views or experiences differ from your own. It’s through these connections that we build the resilience to tackle our pressing challenges—together. Neighbor to neighbor.
Oregon’s future depends on all of us: citizens, communities, and families working in concert to implement the promises that can positively impact our lives. Let us focus on what can be achieved and remember that while we are not all the same and have different experiences, we share similar dreams, hopes, and aspirations. There is far more that unites us than divides us.
I urge you to use this Blue Book not just as a resource, but as a reminder of what is possible when we re-engage with one another and with the work of building a better Oregon.
With hope and determination,
Tobias Read
Secretary of State