These are my priorities for the State Senate:

 

1.      Build a health care system that serves the needs of all our citizens, especially our most vulnerable ones.

• Make basic health care available and affordable for all Coloradans.
• Promote wellness programs and preventative care, especially prenatal and early childhood.
• Reduce the bureaucracy in health care administration.
• Crack down on insurance companies that raise rates without cause.
• Work for in-home care for senior citizens and people with disabilities.
• Expand programs that provide low-cost prescription drugs.

 

2.      Enhance Colorado’s education system so it prepares our students to be productive citizens who can compete in the global economy.

• Ensure that all children have access to a quality public education that addresses 21^st century needs.
• Focus on accountability to ensure that our school budgets are balanced and spent properly.
• Keep tuition low at our state colleges and universities.
• Promote school readiness through a quality system of early childhood.
• Enhance teacher quality and teacher pay.
• Promote parent and community involvement in schools.
• Develop programs for dropout prevention and truancy reduction.

 

3.      Strengthen our economy so it allows businesses to thrive and gives working families the opportunities they deserve.

• Help small businesses and entrepreneurs succeed through new tax credits and less red tape.
• Address the mortgage crisis by implementing greater accountability.
• Invest in education and workforce development.
• Work collaboratively to safeguard employees’ rights and protections.
• Invest in cutting-edge renewable energy to create new green-collar jobs.
• Hold those accountable who ship jobs overseas.
• Crack down on price-gouging at the gas pump.

 

4.      Promote development of renewable and alternative energy to protect our Colorado environment and stimulate our economy.

• Provide incentives for the development and use of renewable energy.
• Promote Colorado jobs in the production of wind, solar, and biofuel energy.
• Build energy partnerships between businesses and colleges/universities.
• Advance programs for recycling and conservation.
• Enhance the grid of bike trails in the metro area.

 

5.      Work for real solutions for Colorado’s transportation system.

• Implement a scheduled maintenance program for our transportation infrastructure.
• Protect the public by acting on the crisis of the 126 structurally unsafe bridges.
• Continue strong support for reliable, affordable public transit.
• Promote car pooling and improved commuter services.