Mary Parker

On The Issues

Colorado Workers and Economy

1
This year, Colorado raised the state minimum wage to $12/per hour. However, no more than $3.02/per hour in tip income may be used to offset the minimum wage of tipped employees. Do you support or oppose action changing how tip income is treated for minimum wage purposes and why?
Did not answer
Comment: I don't know enough about the use of tip income to offset minimum wage requirements to be able to answer this question. I support any action that ensures that all employees receive at least the minimum wage for their labor.
2
A 2018 NPR/Marist poll revealed 20 percent of all American workers are contract workers hired to work on a specific project or for a fixed period of time. Do you support or oppose action that would provide gig economy workers access in Colorado to unemployment benefits, workers compensation, etc., and why?
Support
Comment:
3
This summer, Governor Polis signed into law a bill that prevents an employer from discriminating, retaliating, or taking adverse action against any worker who raises a concern about workplace health and safety practices or hazards related to a public health emergency. Do you support or oppose enacting similar legislation to protect whistleblowers who sound the alarm about waste, fraud, abuse, corruption, or dangers to public health and safety from employer retaliation?
Support
Comment: Whistleblowers should be protected from retaliation whenever they report wrongdoing, be it safety, health, or corruption of any sort.

Revenue/Taxes

4
The coronavirus pandemic has upended state budgets across the country, including Colorado’s. Do you support or oppose efforts to decouple state taxes from federal taxes and change how Colorado taxes corporations to responsibly raise revenue and why?
Support
Comment: I favor a progressive fair tax for individuals and believe that corporations should also be paying their fair share.
5
The Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) prohibits Colorado from raising taxes without voters’ consent. TABOR also prohibits Colorado from establishing a rainy day fund to weather tough economic times. Colorado’s spending on essential services like education and transportation has lagged behind the state’s economic and population growth. Colorado ranks 47th in the nation in per pupil spending. The state also currently lacks funds to enforce labor and other laws in any meaningful way. Do you support or oppose efforts to revise or get rid of TABOR and why?
Support
Comment: TABOR has had a disastrous effect on Colorado's ability to fund important things like education, infrastructure, and transportation.

Quality and Affordable Healthcare

6
This year, lawmakers introduced legislation to create a public health insurance option for our state. Do you support or oppose creating a public option in Colorado and why?
Support
Comment: I believe that all Americans should have access to affordable health care and having a public option is a start in the right direction.
7
One 2018 survey of Colorado adults found that more than half (53%) reported being either “worried” or “very worried” about affording the cost of prescription drugs. Do you support or oppose policies that would make prescription drugs more affordable and why?
Support
Comment: Prescription drug costs are a big part of the overall high cost of healthcare in the U.S. which we need to address.

Keep Communities Safe during the COVID-19 Pandemic

8
At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, some states and localities rushed to grant businesses immunity from civil lawsuits related to the coronavirus. Do you think businesses should be shielded from lawsuits related to COVID-19?
Oppose
Comment:

Voting Access and Constitutional Reform

9
Do you think Colorado should take additional action to protect low-income and voters of color access to vote?
Support
Comment:
10
In past years, legislators have introduced legislation calling for an Article V constitutional convention to address a number of reforms. Do you support or oppose legislation calling for an Article V constitutional convention?
Oppose
Comment:
11
This year, lawmakers introduced legislation that would place for the first time campaign contribution limits on school board candidates. Do you support or oppose this legislation and why?
Support
Comment: I favor steps that limit the exorbitant amount of money in politics.
Mary Parker
Running For: Colorado House District 22
Affiliation: Democrat
Why are you running for this public office?: We are facing some very big challenges because of the COVID-19 pandemic and I want to be a part of dealing with these challenges.
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