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The former state senator says she intends to help families save for their futures and the future of their children.
Dr. Elizabeth Steiner made history as Oregon’s first out state treasurer when she was sworn into office by Gov. Tina Kotek at the Oregon Historical Society in Portland on Monday. Steiner also made history as the state’s first Jewish treasurer.
“Too many Oregonians are living with what appears to be an unbreakable ceiling between them and financial security,” Steiner said after she took the oath of office, local NBC affiliate KGW reports. “Too many families would have a hard time paying even $1,000 if a car breaks down or if they receive a surprise health care bill.”
Steiner is bisexual and the mother of three children, including one who is nonbinary, according to the LGBTQ+ Victory Institute. She is a former family physician and adjunct associate professor at Oregon Health & Science University.
Steiner said her goals during her term would center on helping Oregonians save for college, their children, and their retirement. She said she would accomplish this by the Oregon Saves program for retirement savings and by doubling the number of children participating in the Oregon College Savings Plan.
“I’m committing to you that during my tenure as treasurer, we will double the percentage of children in this state with a college savings plan, ensure the vast majority of Oregonians are saving for retirement; significantly expand the reach of the ABLE program, and establish a child savings account so that every child born in Oregon has a savings account available to them when they turn 18,” Steiner said, the Oregon Capital Chronicle reports. “The Oregon ABLE program helps people with disabilities save for the future without risking access to public benefits.
As a state senator, Steiner was instrumental in the passage of the Oregon Saves program. Gov. Kotek said she shared Steiner’s goals and priorities.
“Elizabeth and I share a vision of Oregon as a place where every person has the opportunity to shape the future they want for themselves, and I just couldn’t be more proud of my friend today,” said Kotek, who is one of only three women to have served as Oregon’s governor and the first lesbian in the office, having succeeded Gov. Kate Brown, a bisexual woman.
Steiner will manage the state’s massive $98 billion Public Employees Retirement System, which is facing $28 billion in unfunded liabilities.
Steiner won office in last November's general election with 49.5 percent of the vote (985,563 votes), according to Ballotpedia, defeating Republican Brian Boquist, who garnered 43.4 percent of the votes cast (863.961 votes). Green Party candidate Mary King finished a distant third with 7 percent (140,127 votes).
