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
- Abortion is a fundamental part of a woman?s individual right. A state should not be able to tell a woman what she can and cannot do with her body. Further, legalized abortion is a public safety issue. No matter if abortion is legal or illegal women will still receive abortions. However, if the abortion is illegal it would be performed in ways that are potentially dangerous to the woman. I strongly support a woman?s right to choose.

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?
- No Answer

5. Other or expanded principles
- We first need to look at our state spending and where the money is going. We must make sure it is going to the proper places with the proper amounts. Colorado is controlled by TABOR and the Gallagher Amendment. These put severe limits on the spending power of local and state governments. We must remove these amendments from the Colorado Constitution to allow for proper spending of funds that have already been received.

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 Answer

5. Other or expanded principles
- Campaign finance reform is a major issue. Thankfully in Colorado we already have contribution limits and spending limits in certain races. I would support a U.S. Amendment to overturn Citizen?s United and implement contribution and spending limits on the Federal level. Voter ID laws that are facially neutral with a neutral application do have a valid purpose. However, many times the implementation of these laws has a discriminatory impact. I would only support a Voter ID law that can be guaranteed to not have a discriminatory impact upon implementation.

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
- As an attorney that works in the criminal justice system I can easily see that we must move our country to a restorative justice system. The death penalty, extreme prison sentences, and prosecuting juveniles as adults do more harm than good. These actions prevent people from rejoining society upon the conclusion of their sentence, and lead to high levels of recidivism and are costly. The 10th amendment prevents federal agencies from deputizing local and state law enforcement agencies. If local or state agency decides to work with Federal agencies that?s their choice, but they cannot be forced to do so.

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 Answer

4. Do you support expanding access to unemployment benefits?
- Yes

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
- Colorado is controlled by TABOR and the Gallagher Amendment. These put severe limits on the spending power of local and state governments. We must remove these amendments from the Colorado Constitution to allow for proper spending of funds that have already been received. Some regulations that are redundant in nature should be removed. But we also may need to implement new regulations to protect the people, our business advantages, and the environment.

Education

1. Do you support adopting federal education standards in Colorado?
- No

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?
- Yes

4. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

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?
- No Answer

5. Other or expanded principles
- In regards to fracking- Some regulations that are redundant in nature should be removed. But we also may need to implement new regulations to protect the people, our business advantages, and the environment.

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
- PLAN TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE1) increase funding and access to mental health, 2) allow doctors to inform patients, should they want to, about the possible dangers inherent in gun ownership, 3) a full criminal and psychological background check on all gun purchases, 4) a 48-hour waiting period on all gun purchases. 5) 5-year mandatory renewal of firearm licenses with an appeal system in place. 6)Red Flag Bill: A judicial system in place whereby a doctor or police officer can remove firearms from a potentially dangerous person. A hearing on this decision must take place within 7 days

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?
- Yes

6. Other or expanded principles
- No Answer

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
- Equality among all is a truly modern American ideal, and something I believe we can achieve. Our Great Nation is nowhere near reaching this goal. We must recognize and accept people that are different from us. There is one glaring hole in equality between men and women is the gender pay gap. Even 55 years after Kennedy signed into law The Equal Pay Act of 1963 women still make less than 80% of their male counterparts according to the Pew Research Center. This is a problem that includes many different issues.

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.
- Education- Colorado is behind in teacher pay and teacher support funding. We must increase both to provide the best possible education for our children. Health Care- The Western Slope has some of the highest health insurance costs in the State, being a rural area makes it hard to access quality care, especially during an emergency. I want to increase access to health care while lowering insurance costsJobs -Bringing in new sectors for jobs and economic growth can grow new jobs and strengthen our economy.