+ − Contact Information
Phone: (512) 463-0570
Fax: (512) 463-0315
Office Address:
P.O. Box 2910
Austin, TX 78768
+ − Biography
State Representative John Otto was elected to the Texas House of Representatives in November 2004 and serves the people of Liberty, San Jacinto and Walker counties.
In the 83rd Legislative Session, Representative Otto was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee and served as chair of the Education subcommittee. He was also appointed as one of five conferees to the state budget conference committee for third consecutive time.
Representative Otto also serves as vice chair of the House Committee on Ways and Means, vice chair of the Budget and Revenue Committee for the National Conference of State Legislators and is a member of the Energy Council.
In 2008, Representative Otto chaired the House Select Committee on Property Tax Relief and Appraisal Reform and passed a series of property tax reforms as a result of the work of the committee. Representative Otto's work on property tax and appraisal issues earned him the "Legislative Achievement Award" from the Texas Taxpayers and Research Association. He was also named "One of the 10 Best Legislators in Texas" by Texas Monthly.
Representative Otto has received several distinct accolades for his service in the Texas House. In his first term he was named "Republican Freshman of the Year" by members of the Texas House of Representatives, "2005 Freshman of the Year" by the House Republican Caucus, "Most Valuable Freshman" by Capitol Inside and "Rookie of the Year" by Texas Monthly.
Representative Otto has also received the "Citizen of the Year" award from the Liberty-Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce, “Fighter for Free Enterprise” award from the Texas Association of Business and named to the Texas PTA Legislative Honor Role.
Representative Otto is a businessman, community leader and native of Dayton, Texas. He graduated from Dayton High school in 1966 and received his BBA in accounting at Texas A&M University in May 1970. While at Texas A&M, Representative Otto was a member of the Ross Volunteer Honor Guard, the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band and was head drum major his senior year. Honored as a distinguished military graduate, he received his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Army and reported to Fort Benjamin Harrison for finance officer training. Representative Otto is a certified public accountant and over his forty year career has worked for audit and tax service firms, owned his own practice and currently is a director of business development for Ryan, a tax consulting firm.
Representative Otto married his high school sweetheart Nancy Whitman in December 1969 and they are the proud parents and grandparents to son Bryan of College Station and son Jason and his wife Brandee who live in Kyle with their three daughters. They are members of First United Methodist Church of Dayton where they sing in the choir.
Representative Otto has an outstanding record of service to his constituents and plays an active role in his local community. John's civic and community activities include: