Oregon State Treasury Launches Proxy Voting Disclosure Database
The Oregon State Treasury announced today the launch of its new proxy voting disclosure website. The online database will provide increased transparency and public awareness around Treasury’s shareholder activity by offering easy access to voting decisions and related information.
“As a responsible shareholder, Treasury embraces our obligation to beneficiaries to ensure the long-term value of investment funds, by making the moneys as productive as possible. Promoting good corporate governance, and acknowledging the social and environmental risks associated with climate change, are among many important factors that Treasury considers when choosing investments to meet this objective,” said Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read. “Our new proxy voting disclosure website delivers improved accessibility of voting data designed to empower Oregonians and fellow shareholders to stay informed about our voting practices.”
Treasury invests on behalf of public entities and beneficiaries of the state retirement system. With assets under management nearing $135 billion, representing nearly 35% growth since 2018, Treasury manages globally diversified portfolios with exposure to a broad range of publicly traded companies. The largest fund overseen by Treasury is the Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund (OPERF) – valued at $91.2 billion as of October 31, 2023, and holds approximately 18.5% of its total assets in public equity.
Treasury casts votes at thousands of corporate meetings each year to fulfill its fiduciary obligation to pension beneficiaries and support investment objectives — by using its proxy voting authority to encourage corporations to make decisions that improve their long-term value. Recent shareholder engagement efforts include Treasury’s participation in a coalition of shareholders that voted to change the board of directors at Exxon bringing new members with climate expertise to the table, Treasurer Read’s support of stepped-up shareholder climate action to enhance corporate disclosure, and the recently announced lawsuit against the Fox News Corporation for breach of fiduciary duty.
The newly launched database is managed by Glass Lewis, Treasury’s proxy voting agent, and will be updated regularly to share timely information related to Treasury’s proxy voting activity. Since 2009, the Oregon Investment Council has utilized Glass Lewis as its proxy voting agent to perform research and cast votes on Oregon’s behalf. In 2022, more than 108,469 proxy votes were cast. The new proxy voting disclosure database will be hosted by Glass Lewis on their website and feature proxy voting data for the five (5) most recent years.
The launch of the proxy voting database aligns with Treasurer Read’s announced plan to decarbonize the Oregon Public Employee Pension Fund (OPERF) by transitioning to a net zero carbon emission investment portfolio by no later than 2050. The online database will provide enhanced transparency and accessible reporting mechanisms to support monitoring of investments and corporate governance, as well as Treasury’s proactive engagement with investment partners and beneficiaries, which are key components of the decarbonization plan.
The proxy voting disclosure website is available here: https://viewpoint.glasslewis.com/wd/?siteId=OIC%20Main
“As a responsible shareholder, Treasury embraces our obligation to beneficiaries to ensure the long-term value of investment funds, by making the moneys as productive as possible. Promoting good corporate governance, and acknowledging the social and environmental risks associated with climate change, are among many important factors that Treasury considers when choosing investments to meet this objective,” said Oregon State Treasurer Tobias Read. “Our new proxy voting disclosure website delivers improved accessibility of voting data designed to empower Oregonians and fellow shareholders to stay informed about our voting practices.”
Treasury invests on behalf of public entities and beneficiaries of the state retirement system. With assets under management nearing $135 billion, representing nearly 35% growth since 2018, Treasury manages globally diversified portfolios with exposure to a broad range of publicly traded companies. The largest fund overseen by Treasury is the Oregon Public Employees Retirement Fund (OPERF) – valued at $91.2 billion as of October 31, 2023, and holds approximately 18.5% of its total assets in public equity.
Treasury casts votes at thousands of corporate meetings each year to fulfill its fiduciary obligation to pension beneficiaries and support investment objectives — by using its proxy voting authority to encourage corporations to make decisions that improve their long-term value. Recent shareholder engagement efforts include Treasury’s participation in a coalition of shareholders that voted to change the board of directors at Exxon bringing new members with climate expertise to the table, Treasurer Read’s support of stepped-up shareholder climate action to enhance corporate disclosure, and the recently announced lawsuit against the Fox News Corporation for breach of fiduciary duty.
The newly launched database is managed by Glass Lewis, Treasury’s proxy voting agent, and will be updated regularly to share timely information related to Treasury’s proxy voting activity. Since 2009, the Oregon Investment Council has utilized Glass Lewis as its proxy voting agent to perform research and cast votes on Oregon’s behalf. In 2022, more than 108,469 proxy votes were cast. The new proxy voting disclosure database will be hosted by Glass Lewis on their website and feature proxy voting data for the five (5) most recent years.
The launch of the proxy voting database aligns with Treasurer Read’s announced plan to decarbonize the Oregon Public Employee Pension Fund (OPERF) by transitioning to a net zero carbon emission investment portfolio by no later than 2050. The online database will provide enhanced transparency and accessible reporting mechanisms to support monitoring of investments and corporate governance, as well as Treasury’s proactive engagement with investment partners and beneficiaries, which are key components of the decarbonization plan.
The proxy voting disclosure website is available here: https://viewpoint.glasslewis.com/wd/?siteId=OIC%20Main
Contacts
Eric Engelson
Public Information Director
Oregon State Treasury
503-373-7609
Public Information Director
Oregon State Treasury
503-373-7609
Kasey Krifka
Oregon Savings Network
Oregon State Treasury
503-431-7976
Oregon Savings Network
Oregon State Treasury
503-431-7976
