What makes you more qualified than your opponent?
I have been a long-time resident of Aurora and have served 4 years in the state House representing Aurora’s House District 36. I have worked hard to be in touch with the people of Aurora by walking my district every year, holding 2 town hall meetings every month, taking constituent surveys, providing an annual legislative newsletter and a electronic e-newsletters. I have a background in consumer and civil rights law with special focus on advocating for people with disabilities. I study issues thoroughly, read all legislation carefully before a vote and am 100 percent committed to grass roots participation in the people’s government. I am running for this position because I care deeply about improving our community and our state and am willing to take on the tough fights and the wealthy special interests to do it.
Should the state revisit sentencing restrictions to reduce prison spending?
Yes, approximately 74 percent of our prison population in custody is in for non-violent offenses. We should reserve prison for the most serious offenders and offenses and otherwise focus on restorative justice, community service and other efforts geared toward accepting responsibility and trying to make the victim whole. Prison spending has been our largest growth item on the budget, and since we have a constitutional requirement for a balanced budget in the state, every dollar we spend on prisons is a dollar we can’t spend on education or health care or other important social investments.
Would you support an expansion of the state’s public school voucher program?
I oppose private vouchers but support school choice within the public school system. Higher ed “vouchers” need to be replaced with a more adequate and straight-forward funding system.
Should Colorado pursue a four-day work week for state employees as a way of conserving energy and reducing energy bills?
I have not seen enough research yet to confirm that this would have the desired effect. I think the state should consider flex scheduling to allow improved customer service for Colorado citizens who can’t always miss work from 9:00 – 5:00. Rotating hours to include some earlier days, later days or even weekends might improve customer service to our citizens. I don’t necessarily oppose this but haven’t seen the data yet to back up a decision to do it.
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?
We need state bonding authority for transportation like most states can use. We should also be able to use TABOR funds for transportation. Fuel taxes and licensing fees are a regressive tax structure and probably not ideal for transportation funding.
Should the state increase taxes on gas and oil production in Colorado?
The state should start by removing the current subsidy or tax credit to the oil and gas industry because it means that citizens are paying for more taxes and the oil and gas industry is not paying their share. They certainly don’t need the tax breaks we currently give them. Regular citizens could use it more. There may not be any need to increase taxes on regular citizens if we start by just removing the tax giveaways to large corporations and industries.
How do you think Colorado unions would see you as a candidate? Pro-union or anti-union?
I am pro-worker and pro-union. I believe workers should have a right to organize and advocate for better pay, benefits and safe working conditions. Unions are essential to a healthy middle class. The manufacturing and other jobs that have been sent overseas are our middle class jobs. I support a living wage, affordable access to health care a reasonable sick leave policy, and a safe work place. It took unions to end U.S. sweatshops, end child labor and give us overtime and the weekend. They serve a critical balance of power to bring fairness and better quality of life to the workplace.
Above all, what one thing should the state do to improve student performance in public schools?
The state should reduce non-beneficial red tape so more time and money can go into actual classroom contact and teaching. The state should increase funding levels sufficient to reduce classroom sizes and improve student-teacher ratios. I believe there is no substitute for a hands-on, individualized education with a human connection with someone who cares about the students and has the freedom to inspire a love of learning rather than completing forms.
Should the state convene a constitutional convention to investigate resolving budget problems with TABOR, Amendment 23 and the Gallagher Amendment?
I’d prefer to remove all budgeting from the Colorado constitution. It has worked several absurdities to constitutionalize our revenue and spending rather than by statute. I’d prefer to relocate all the budget related items without convening a constitutional convention because I have some concerns that key protections could get left out or it might become the “Lobbyists Full Time Employment Act” with every special interest group seeking to add / subtract essential and appropriate provisions. If other remedies fail and if appropriate safeguards are in place, I might consider it.
How would you judge the performance so far of Gov. Bill Ritter?
I think Governor Ritter has been accessible and willing to listen. I disagree with his veto of HB 1072. He has been very open to new ideas and new suggestions and did the right thing in requesting a total audit of state agencies to identify all possible waste, inefficiencies or problems in state government. He has made some good appointments that have generally benefited the people of Colorado. |
