On the Issues

Education

The state of Colorado’s public education system is unacceptable.  Our public schools are ranked 47th in the nation and we are 50th in the nation -- dead last in providing financial aid to our students.  I promise to do what's right, not what's popular. We must invest in our future, and that begins by making sure all of our children have access to a quality and equitable public school system that both challenges and encourages them to succeed through high school graduation and beyond.

Economy

The number one topic I am discussing with our neighbors is the economy and its effect on our state. We must re-think our tax structure in Colorado.  There are large corporate tax waivers, loopholes and credits; but where are the tax credits for working, middle income families? We need a progressive tax structure that's fair for all Coloradans. We all win when we invest in Colorado’s infrastructure, natural resources, and our children.

As your next State Representative, the legislative actions I would support to help Colorado's economy recover include:

Environment

As director of the Western Clean Energy Campaign, I have been fighting for a cleaner environment every day. As a legislature, I will continue to find ways to reduce carbon emissions, increase opportunities for good paying careers in the renewable energy sector, and provide incentives for homeowners to install solar panels or other new energy technologies.

Public Health:

Equality for All

I firmly stand for equal rights for all and have been an active member in our community fighting for the issue.  I have raised over $23,000 to fund local organiztions to provide services to the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community.  If elected, I will lead the way to pass a Gay Marriage Amendment.  Also, I will work to remove any existing anti-gay amendments to ensure that same-sex couples have all of the rights as their heterosexual counterparts.

Healthcare

I know the burden families in our community are facing. Providing affordable and quality healthcare is not only a matter of economic stability, but a matter of life or death.

Many people are frustrated with what's going on at the national level regarding healthcare. So am I. If the US Congress is unable to pass legislation that provides affordable, accessible, and quality healthcare to every American family, then I will promote a single-payer healthcare plan for Colorado Families at the State Legislature.

Protecting a Womens Right to Choose

As your next Representative, I will continue my work to protect a woman's right to choose.  I am a founding member of the BlueFlower Fund, an organiztion that works to elect pro-choice women into local offices.  All Colorado women have the right to to reproductive health care options including family planning services, prenatal care and safe, legal abortion.  I strongly oppose Amendment 62 which would limit abortion in all cases, including rape, incest and when the life of the mother is at risk. 

Senior Issues

The AARP has concluded that 82% of people over 65 wish to remain in their homes for as long as possible - and I want to do everything in my power to make that happen.  I will work to restore the Senior Homestead Property Tax Exemption by repealing the $321 million dollars a year tax credit that the big oil and gas industry receives to pay for it.  

I will protect funding for programs such as Meals on Wheels and senior transportation services.  These kinds of programs provide much needed direct assistance to our community and are worth fighting for.

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