Office and district sought: State House of Representatives, District 17
Name: Christine A. Varney
Party affiliation: Democratic
Website: www.christinevarney.com/
E-mail: christine@christinevarney.com
Age: 38
Last degree earned: Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, 1990, Flagler College, St. Augustine, Florida
Occupation: Teller Coordinator
Hobbies: Gardening
Family: Married for 13 years to Keith; 9-year old son, Steven; 6-year old daughter, Elena
How long have you lived in Colorado? Where did you live before? We moved to Colorado in 1995. Prior, we lived in Tampa, Florida.
Last book read: “The Mephisto Club,” by Tess Gerritsen
Civic Involvement: Turman Elementary PTO; Soaring Eagles Elementary PTO; Harrison School District 2 Superintendent’s Community Advisory Panel
Major endorsements: Colorado Ceasefire; Colorado Protectors of Public Schools; Colorado Stonewall Democrats
Why are you running? I have spent the past 20 years serving people. I have served them as a customer service manager in retail sales, as an employee at the Fort Carson Commissary, and as a coordinator in the financial industry. Now I would like to serve the people of our community as your representative to the Colorado State House of Representatives.
What are the top three challenges facing Colorado?
Healthcare – 20 percent of the citizens of Colorado have NO healthcare insurance.
Education – Colorado is ranked 40th in per pupil funding from state resources; as a relation to personal income, we are ranked 49th and we are 50th in per pupil funding from federal sources.
Energy – Colorado should be leading the nation in researching and implementing alternate fuel sources, for our cars as well as our homes and businesses.
What is your top priority in the next session if you should win? My top priority would be to work with the legislature, citizens and the business community to make affordable healthcare available to all Coloradans.
What proposal in the last session did you oppose the most? House Concurrent Resolution 06-1005 Concerning the Suspension of the State Gasoline Tax. The proposal would have saved Colorado drivers about $14 per month, for a maximum of 90 days while leaving less money for the Highway Users Tax Fund and costing local governments money that fund vital transportation projects.
What proposal in the last session did you agree with the most? There were many proposal that I agreed with in the 2006 session. One of the most important was H.B. 06-1005. This bill would have authorized a school district, upon voter approval, to impose an additional mill levy for purposes of funding the school district’s excess full-day kindergarten costs. The bill passed the House and Senate and was vetoed by the Governor.
