|
The following are my views on some of the important issues in our State. If you would like more information about these or any other issues facing our state please contact me.
HEALTH CARE
Every person should have access to affordable and quality health care. It is unacceptable that Colorado has over 750,000 individuals, or 17% of our population, without health coverage (including 14% of Colorado children).  In addition, we must work to move from a system that treats the sick to a system that keeps people healthy by emphasizing preventative care. I will work to move our state to a single payer system that will provide health care to all Colorado residents.
DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES
Having grown up with developmental disabilities, I believe that it is my duty to fight for the some of the most vulnerable in our society. As a child I had to attend speech therapy, and I also had thought-processing and reading-comprehension difficulties. With the support of my family and those in my community, I was able to battle through my struggles to become a well-rounded individual. I feel very fortunate in the success I have achieved, and I believe that our state can assist those with developmental disabilities to reach similar goals.
THE ARTS
I believe that supporting the arts in Colorado is of utmost importance to our state. I will advocate for improving the climate for creative industries for all of those in Colorado. I believe that participating in the arts can help individuals develop both independence and collaboration. The arts can help our students improve academic achievement -- enhancing test scores, attitudes, social skills, critical and creative thinking. The arts also allow our children to exercise and develop higher order thinking skills including analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and problem solving.
CIVIL UNIONS
I believe all committed couples deserve equal protection under the law, and will support legislation that provides Colorado’s loving families with those protections. A civil union is a form of relationship recognition that gives same-sex couples access to state created rights. Civil unions are important to Colorado same-sex couples and their families because under current law same-sex couples are denied state rights, benefits, and protections that are automatically guaranteed to heterosexual couples by marriage, including emergency medical decision-making power, access to domestic relations laws and procedure, state spousal benefits, and the right to control disposition of remains. It is a matter of basic fairness to extend these protections to all committed couples in Colorado.
EDUCATION
Colorado children should have access to a world-class public education system. Colorado must invest in early childhood education for every child so that our children can start off their education on the right foot. We must invest resources in K-12 education and encourage innovation within the public schools and ensure that we are preparing our children for college. We need to ensure that all people have access to affordable higher education. We must also ensure that we provide lifelong education opportunities for the people of Colorado. Â
ECONOMY AND JOBS
I will work to make sure Colorado’s economy is strong and is a leader in renewable energy.  I will work to ensure that all Coloradans have access to jobs that pay a living wage and fight for Colorado workers so that they have a real voice in the workplace. I will continue to fight for consumers by advocating against predatory lending, including payday lending. I will be a strong advocate for the workers of our district to fight to ensure they have the resources to get ahead in life and to reach their potential. I will work to fight against the right to work initiative that limits the ability of workers to organize and fight for just pay and benefits.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
I will work to provide affordable housing for the people in Colorado.  We must ensure that working families in Colorado can find housing in all areas of our State. In addition, if redevelopment occurs in an area people should have the ability to stay in the communities they have lived in for many years.
|
