Colorado State Legislative Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion & Reproductive

1. Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?
- Pro-choice

2. Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?
- Yes

3. Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- Abortions have decreased since women have had access to abortion, and access to medically licensed clinics that provide contraception and family planning. Women should be trusted to make the best decision for themselves and their family and council with whom they prefer. It is not the role of government to restrict their rights. Our focus should be on the conditions that promote health and wellbeing of children.

Budget, Spending, & Tax

1. Reducing state employee salaries AND/OR pensions?
- No

2. Instituting mandatory furloughs AND/OR layoffs for state employees?
- No

3. Reducing benefits for Medicaid recipients?
- No

4. An income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- State of Colorado pensions are defined benefits that often are considered with job retainment and make up for low wages as in education. They are cheaper than defined contribution plans and offer the retiree substantially greater security.

Campaign Finance & Government Reform

1. Do you support any limits on campaign contributions to state candidates?
- Yes

2. Do you support the regulation of indirect campaign contributions from corporations and unions?
- Yes

3. Do you support the use of an independent AND/OR bipartisan commission for redistricting?
- Yes

4. Do you support requiring a government-issued photo identification in order to vote at the polls?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- Colorado needs a strong election campaign disclose law so that the current obscure dark money effects do not jeopardize fair elections.

Crime & Public Safety

1. Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
- No

2. Do you support the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes?
- Yes

3. Should a minor accused of a violent crime be prosecuted as an adult?
- No

4. Do you support the enforcement of federal immigration laws by state and local police?
- No

5. Other or expanded principles
- US Congress must pass comprehensive immigration law and end the separation of children from their families at the border.

Economic

1. Do you support state government spending as a means of promoting economic growth?
- Yes

2. Do you support lowering state taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?
- No

3. Do you support reducing state government regulations on the private sector?
- No

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- No

5. Do you support requiring welfare applicants to pass a drug test in order to receive benefits?
- No

6. Do you support an increase of the minimum wage of Colorado?
- Yes

7. Do you support increasing state funding for improving Colorado's roads and bridges?
- Yes

8. Other or expanded principles
- Each regulation should be considered for the health and wellbeing it provides for citizens and we can not just end regulatory oversight for the sake of deregulation. Clean air and water are vital to our middle class economy. When possible regulatory oversight from a combination of state agencies can be standardized so that they are clear and do not contradict.

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Colorado?
- Yes

2. Do you support state funding for charter schools?
- Yes

3. Should immigrants unlawfully present in the United States who graduate from Colorado high schools be eligible for in-state tuition at public universities?
- No

4. Other or expanded principles
- If the undocumented students are Dreamers they should be provided a path to citizenship alongside their tuition eligibility.

Environment & Energy

1. Do you support state funding for the development of renewable energy (e.g. solar, wind, thermal)?
- Yes

2. Do you support state government regulations of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Do you support increasing state funding for clean drinking water initiatives?
- Yes

4. Do you support increased regulations on the hydraulic fracturing ("fracking") industry?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- A plan must be implemented that builds the infrastructure for renewable energy in such a way that we transition as quickly as possible without leaving anyone behind. We must take advantage of our abundant technology expertise through NREL, our current engineering capabilities and our renewable resources to address human caused climate change. Climate change through our greenhouse emissions is already costing us millions in forest fires, forest health and related industry.

Gun

1. Do you generally support gun-control legislation?
- Yes

2. Should background checks be required on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows?
- Yes

3. Should teachers be allowed to bring guns into the classroom?
- No

4. Should a license be required for gun ownership?
- Yes

5. Other or expanded principles
- Responsible gun owners should take the lead in common sense gun control.

Health

1. Should the state government increase funding for treatment facilities to combat opioid abuse?
- Yes

2. Do you support Medicaid expansion through Colorado's health care programs?
- Yes

3. Do you support requiring individuals to purchase health care insurance?
- Yes

4. Do you support legislation that grants citizens the right to choose to die through euthanasia?
- Yes

5. Do you support eliminating religious exemptions for vaccinations?
- No

6. Other or expanded principles
- Very unsure about e) as I think there are options to consider before eliminating exemptions based on religion. Those opting out of vaccinations may instead be required to have health insurance adjustments based on their decision.

Social

1. Do you support the inclusion of sexual orientation in Colorado's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

2. Do you support the inclusion of gender identity in Colorado's anti-discrimination laws?
- Yes

3. Do you support greater efforts by Colorado state government in closing the pay gap between men and women?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

Legislative Priorities

In the following area, please explain in a total of 100 words or less, your top two or three priorities if elected. If they require additional funding for implementation, please explain how you would obtain this funding.
- 1. Make sure Colorado has strong disclose law for campaign financing2. Fund water projects in priority setting with Colorado Water Plan with a studied water fee or a decrease in all tax credits.3. Address the social determinants of rising health care costs through Department of health programs for targeting social economic factors, improving community access to decrease overuse of emergency rooms. Continue the collaborative model here in Mesa County and address faultlines.