Colorado Congressional Election 2018 Political Courage Test

Abortion

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- I have a long record of standing up for a woman's right to choose and reproductive health as an activist, then as an elected county commissioner where I made sure that our local PP got funding, then three terms in the Colorado House where I got a 100% report card for 5 years from NARAL Colorado and from Rocky Mountain Planned Parenthood. You can count on me; I will fight everyday for choice.

Budget

1. In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?
- Yes

2. In order to balance the budget, do you support reducing defense spending?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- We must create a truly progressive tax system. The Presidents Tax Cut was a giveaway to the top 1% and big multi national corporations. Overseas profits and sheltering in foreign bank accounts both need to be taxed. I support a variety of legislation to rationalize our tax policy so that we can invest in people and in infrastructure to create living wage jobs -reducing college student loans debt, pre school, multi-modal transportation, broadband, water, renewables to create living wage jobs. 2018 Defense appropriations-aircraft/aircraft carriers are far more than what the generals asked for, yet soldiers got only a 2.3% raise

Campaign Finance

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- Indirect expenditures make it impossible for voters to "follow the money". We have a right to know specifically who/what is contributing indirectly or directly. I will cosponsor/ vote for Constitutional Amendment to overturn Citizens United-HJ Res 31, and several bills that provide for more disclosure and transparency-DISCLOSE bill-HR 1134 speaks directly to dark money being subjected to sunlight and full disclosure: it makes 501(c)(4) social welfare organizations and 501 (c)(6) organizations, disclose their donors and spending when they engage in any political activity that mentions a candidate for federal office and/or is intended to influence a federal election, also HR1439.

Economy

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

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

3. Other or expanded principles
- We used to invest in people and infrastructure. That made us prosperous and competitive. I support bills that take the over $1 Trillion in tax breaks for the top 1% and multi national corporations, defense spending savings, and modest progressive targeted tax increases to put real money in transportation, broadband, water, renewables, affordable housing and mental health parity, including opioid abuse prevention and treatment. I don't support lowering corporate taxes; this will not create more jobs: all the evidence shows that trickle-down has never worked. Corporate tax cuts go to shareholders and big CEO salaries, not to job creation.

Education

1. Do you support requiring states to adopt federal education standards?
- Yes

2. Other or expanded principles
- But only if the federal standards have included all stakeholders and especially rural schools, and are funded. I oppose unfunded mandates. I support the ESSA, especially the Teacher-School Leader Innovation Programs? provision of funds for districts and emphasis on literacy and STEM. However, we need to ensure that the implementation of the ESSA does not hurt rural schools and struggling schools. Some language in the law is open to interpretation and needs to better reflect the actual goal of providing high quality education for ALL. The evidence-based plans stipulated in the Bill must include teachers, parents, and staff.

Energy & Environment

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

2. Do you support the federal regulation of greenhouse gas emissions?
- Yes

3. Other or expanded principles
- I support enforceable, measurable goals for reducing America?s Green house Gas emissions/ lower our carbon footprint. My record as a County Commissioner, then State Rep shows I worked with the community and business to lower our carbon footprint with innovative solutions which also saved the taxpayers money. I will: repeal subsidies for fossil fuels, require higher fuel efficiency, support a carbon fee/dividend, join the Congressional Climate Caucus, get us back in the Paris Climate Accord, and Co-sponsor HR 4426 which promotes renewable energy on public lands; prepares for the impacts of climate change; increases industry accountability. .

Guns

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- My actual voting record as a Colorado State Representative on gun safety is clear and strong. I voted for universal background checks and for magazine limits. I stood up to the Gun Lobby and their efforts to smear me. I will introduce our common sense Colorado Universal Background Checks law in the US Congress and fight for it and against reciprocal concealed carry laws that would nullify our more evidence based concealed carry laws in Colorado. I will work to get rid of the old Appropriations bill riders that prohibit the CDC from researching gun deaths.

Health Care

1. Do you support repealing the 2010 Affordable Care Act ("Obamacare")?
- No

2. Other or expanded principles
- NO. We need to strengthen the ACA and fix problems in it like the "2-earner" glitch and the cliff effect for stipends as we move towards universal-single payer, Medicare for all- HR676. Meanwhile, I will work for full funding of CHIP and rural health clinics. I will defend Medicare and Social Security. I support universal, single-payer healthcare; Conyers HR676, Medicare for All

Immigration

1. Do you support the construction of a wall along the Mexican border?
- No

2. Do you support requiring immigrants who are unlawfully present to return to their country of origin before they are eligible for citizenship?
- No

3. Other or expanded principles
- One of my top priorities is comprehensive, compassionate, evidence-based immigration reform that provides a clear, predictable path to citizenship for Dreamers and for other undocumented people who work hard and pay taxes. A clean DREAM bill is essential, with no riders or funding for a wall.I don't support making undocumented people return to their country of origin. In some cases that would mean death. It clearly means separation from family here. More importantly, they have built lives here, working hard, paying taxes, some even serve in our military. They contribute to our economy and our communities.

Marijuana

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

2. Other or expanded principles
- Cannabis is legal for medical uses and other adult uses (some call those "recreational") in Colorado, as well as in other states. Cannabis is an important agricultural product in Colorado?s 3rdCD. Cannabis product manufacturing and retail businesses are key for local economies here and provide jobs, sales taxes, and excise taxes in Colorado. AG Sessions does not understand the importance of cannabis both for health care and for our economy. I support taking cannabis off of the Schedule 1 substance list at the Federal level. I support reform of IRS codes, especially 280E and banking law to accommodate legal marijuana.

National Security

1. Should the United States use military force in order to prevent governments hostile to the U.S. from possessing a nuclear weapon?
- No

2. Do you support increased American intervention in Middle Eastern conflicts beyond air support?
- No

3. Other or expanded principles
- We need national security policy based in actual evidence and geopolitical knowledge of regions of the world, not extreme ideology as the basis for "policy". Diplomacy has proved far more effective than force in limiting nuclear proliferation than force. Multilateral solutions, working with our allies is far more effective than a "go it alone" bullying approach to secure peace..As for the Middle East, we need to work with Israel and the Palestinians for a two set solution and more broadly we need to work against terrorism and ISIS using constructive approaches that build trust among both allies and enemies.

Administrative Priorities

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.
- I will fight to reverse the damage done by President Trump and Congressman Tipton. They are moving us backwards and using hate and fear to test us apart.I am running to: bring us together and help create an economy that works foreveryone, not just the top 1%, work for universal single payer healthcare, and strengthen Public Education so all our children have real opportunity. I'll protect our environment, tackle climate change now, and keep our public lands public. I will stand up for everyone's rights, work for comprehensive, compassionate immigration reform, and ensure veterans the services they need.