What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
1) Increasing access to affordable housing, including starter homes for middle income families. 2) Protecting worker rights and strengthening unions. 3) Increasing access to higher education by making state colleges more affordable and increasing opportunities to attend trade and vocational schools.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
I think there can be common ground on water conservation. Everyone now recognizes the drought and the need to do more to conserve water. Even if the lower-basin states get their act together, there is still a need to conserve water. There is also room for common ground on affordable housing. People want something done, and there is cross-party recognition that zoning is hindering efforts. Prison education reform also has potential for common ground, because it is ultimately a fiscally conservative policy as it reduces long-term prison costs.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
First, I’m an attorney. And contrary to popular belief, there aren’t many attorneys in the Colorado legislature. As an attorney I understand the law, how it works, and how it is interpreted. I can help write laws that do what they are supposed to do, and that are simpler and easier to understand. Second, I’m a moderate Democrat from Western Colorado. We need more moderates in the legislature and more people concentrating on common sense solutions, not disagreements. My perspective will help me bridge the gap between Republicans and Democrats, and between the Eastern and Western Slopes.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
First, the legislature can override local ordinances restricting the number of housing units built per year. Such ordinances create artificial scarcity, increasing prices. Second, the legislature can override zoning regulations that prevent the building of new, higher density housing. Higher density housing is more affordable, as the land’s cost is shared per unit. Third, the state can finance the building of starter homes, perhaps as a developer, to be owner-occupied and sold to middle income people. The state can recoup the cost on sale of the home. Government helped build homes in the past, and can do it again.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
I support the current law on fentanyl possession. I have seen the dangers of fentanyl in my practice. It is so much more potent and dangerous that you need lower possession limits and stricter penalties. But I think we need to do more for opioid addiction treatment, including for those who are incarcerated. We cannot just imprison people and leave them; we need to get them help. Ultimately, you will not dry up supply unless you decrease demand, so we need more treatment to decrease the demand for opioids, including fentanyl. That will decrease the supply more than prison.
What are your top three priorities for the next legislative session?
On the education front, the Public-School Funding Act of 1994 put in place a formula for per pupil funding across the state. The formula is overly complicated and has left our District 51 underfunded on a continual basis.The formula needs to be revised to be fair to all school districts in the state.
On the public safety front, the voters of Grand Junction approved a ballot item to enable the city to invest in fire stations, firefighters, EMS professionals and police officers. We do, however, need the support of the legislature to reinforce how important these professions are to our citizens.
We have needed a 29 Road interchange on I-70 for decades. Continual closures of Glenwood Canyon (over 30 days last year) and the mountain passes place a strain on the economy of Western Colorado.
The chamber may see split Democrat-Republican control next year. On what issues do you see common ground with the opposite party?
I believe the issues I have listed above have common ground that the General Assembly can tackle. I realize that funding is always a challenge and solutions have to be fair to both urban and rural Colorado, but I am hopeful that with discussion and collaboration we can find answers to the real problems associated with education, transportation and public safety.
What perspective or background would you bring to the chamber that is currently missing?
I bring considerable experience in business leadership and in the legislative process. I am known to be an individual that researches policies carefully and I listen to all points of view to find common ground to critical issues. I have a strong, yet rational voice on these issues never losing sight that our citizens depend on us as legislators to find solutions to problems they face.
What more can the state legislature do to ease housing costs across Colorado?
The State Legislature could ease the burden of regulations on the development and construction industries. Well meaning bills such as HD1362 add significantly to the cost of building at a time when we need to reduce the inflationary pressures.
Do you support the current law on fentanyl possession and resources for treatment?
Yes I do, although I am concerned that charging a misdemeanor versus a felony for possession of 4 grams or less of fentanyl is far too light a punishment for a drug that has the potential to kill an individual at this dose.
How candidate order was determined: A lot drawing was held at the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office on Aug. 3 to determine the general election ballot order for major and minor party candidates. Colorado law (1-5-404, C.R.S.) requires that candidates are ordered on the ballot in three tiers: major party candidates followed by minor party candidates followed by unaffiliated candidates. Within each tier, the candidates are ordered by a lot drawing with the exception of the office of Governor and Lt. Governor, which are ordered by the last name of the gubernatorial candidate.
