What makes you more qualified than your opponent?
My tenure on (Aurora) City Council working on a broad range of issues, from budgets, infrastructure, labor/job issues to long range planning, combined with my long term community involvement and investment, brings a unique perspective to the table.
Should the state revisit sentencing restrictions to reduce prison spending?
I would support looking into new ideas.
Would you support an expansion of the state’s public school voucher program?
Both my children attended private school and then transferred to public schools (which they say they preferred). Each choice has benefits and costs. In our society we value the right to make our own decisions. Why shouldn’t parents have the same rights?
Should Colorado pursue a four-day work week for state employees as a way of conserving energy and reducing energy bills?
We need to look closely at the idea of diminishing returns. If a worker’s productivity drops significantly on hour nine of his or her work day, then we may lose in productivity what we gain in reduced energy costs.
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?
First, the Highway User Trust Fund (HUTF) should be off-limits for anything but transportation related projects. Second, working with our congressional delegation to ensure the tax money we send to Washington is coming back to Colorado. It is imperative for the economic viability of our state.
Should the state increase taxes on gas and oil production in Colorado?
The debate on the severance tax needs more facts and less rhetoric. One side says increasing the severance tax will just pass on costs to the consumer, the other side says it will just end a kind of subsidy for energy companies. The way to answer this is to get the exact numbers from energy companies and independent groups on how much of the oil and natural gas will stay in Colorado. If the oil and gas stays in Colorado, the increased severance tax would be passed on to consumers. If the resources are just pooled in the market and (as is likely) are diverted to locations willing to pay the most, then the cost of the increased tax would be greatly diluted by the time it gets to consumers.
How do you think Colorado unions would see you as a candidate? Pro-union or anti-union?
I know Republicans are generally seen as being unequivocally pro-business, but I believe freedom of association is a vital right for every American. One need only look at Colorado’s history, particularly the early 20th century “coal wars” to know that unions have played an important part in getting better working conditions for Coloradoans. The problem is the amount of political influence union officials wield today. Many of the policies financed by unions receive little input from rank-and-file workers. So instead we have stalwarts on both sides of the labor debate dictating terms.
Above all, what one thing should the state do to improve student performance in public schools?
Encourage school districts to use financial rewards for gifted teachers who inspire our children and have proven themselves.
Should the state convene a constitutional convention to investigate resolving budget problems with TABOR, Amendment 23 and the Gallagher Amendment?
No. If the current ballot dispute is any indication, I don’t think we can risk special interests wresting control of the process from the people and their chosen representatives.
How would you judge the performance so far of Gov. Bill Ritter?
Mixed. He started his term well enough, but failing to diffuse the current ballot battle over Amendment 47, the “Right to Work” initiative, the Amendments 49 and 54 and the four labor Amendments 53, 55, 56 and 57 could be what unfortunately defines his time as governor. |
