What makes you more qualified than your opponent?
In my first two terms, I have proven that I can get things done in a bipartisan manner. My House colleagues elected me Assistant House Minority Leader (No. 2 Republican in the House). This year, I personally have knocked on over 14,000 doors including many military veterans with whom I share a strong bond because of my Army deployments to Afghanistan and Bosnia. This year I was the prime sponsor of 6 bills. All 6 bills passed the Democrat-controlled Legislature and were signed into law by the Governor. Only a handful of representatives accomplished 100 percent passage. I have focused on cracking down on sexual predators, and I’m proud of my State Parks bill for which I received an award. I strongly support protecting our parks and open space.
Should the state revisit sentencing restrictions to reduce prison spending?
I don’t support sentencing restrictions. Like higher education, prison spending has been relegated to a lower priority with the budget situation. This must stop. We need to equip our judicial system (police, district attorneys and judges) with the adequate number of prison cells to make certain that criminals are not released from the back end of the system as fast as they are arrested at the front end.
Would you support an expansion of the state’s public school voucher program?
I strongly support parental choice in education. Senator Nancy Spence has provided the leadership on this issue. I have not heard that she plans to expand this program in 2009. I think her initial goal is to pass a bill that won’t be declared unconstitutional by our state supreme court.
Should Colorado pursue a four-day work week for state employees as a way of conserving energy and reducing energy bills?
I don’t support the 4-day work week for state employees or in any context. To compete in a global economy, we need to work a full week. Many of our global competitors work 6-day weeks.
With so many state “entitlements,” such as Medicaid and public schools, how can the state best increase spending on roads, bridges and other transportation projects?
To increase transportation funding, we must embrace the use of leverage. Name one office building that was built with 100 percent equity. They all are built with a 90-10 debt-equity ratio. We should approach transportation funding the same way, especially since construction costs are inflating at 10-15 percent a year. Our cost of capital is only about 3-4 percent.
Should the state increase taxes on gas and oil production in Colorado?
No, I am very opposed to raising taxes on oil and gas. These costs would simply be based along to the consumer.
How do you think Colorado unions would see you as a candidate? Pro-union or anti-union?
Since 75 percent of my Democrat opponent’s campaign money comes from labor unions, I have to assume that unions don’t like my pro small business voting record.
Above all, what one thing should the state do to improve student performance in public schools?
This year in the Legislature, we took the first step toward increasing longitudinal testing to track individual student progress from elementary school through high school. The state should exercise less control over local school districts. Additionally, teachers and principals need more flexibility to make funding decisions for their individual schools.
Should the state convene a constitutional convention to investigate resolving budget problems with TABOR, Amendment 23 and the Gallagher Amendment?
Yes, but there are many parts of the state constitution that need fixing.
How would you judge the performance so far of Gov. Bill Ritter?
Governor Ritter is a nice man, but he has not tackled the problems confronting our State. Governor Owens was out in front of every major problem that Colorado needed to address. It seems that Governor Ritter just reacts to problems after the fact. |
