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?
Support
Comment: I would actually like to see tip income lowered as an offset to minimum wage. Tips are discretionary and no guarantee of a minimum income. I also believe our minimum wage is too low and would like to work to see it increased increases in healthcare and housing rate increases.
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: I support increased access knowing that the employer and employee would set aside a part of their pay to these systems. I do believe there is a place for gig economy workers, I just worry they may be short changed without their knowledge on the benefits they are giving up.
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:
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 support anything that will create a more equitable tax system where those who can afford it, will pay more than they have been to support our budget.
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: I strongly support and end to TABOR. I believe in representative government that can be flexible in responding to economic crisis. TABOR creates a direct democracy with severe restrictions to our state's well-being. I do not favor any specific revenue focused amendments to our constitution which create strict limits on our ability to support the people of Colorado.
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 support, but need to learn more about how it would be funded and administrated. I prefer an expansion of Medicare for All, but lacking federal leadership, we must continue do our best to resolve the high cost and lack of coverage for all.
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:
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: It really depends on the business and the precautions they have taken to prevent the spread. If they have been diligent and faithful in protecting their employees and customers, they then have should be shielded. The determination and evaluation of their intent and execution would be up to the courts to decide. I believe a blanket immunity reduces the power of the whistleblower looking out for the greater good. The immunity would empower businesses to take less precautions, and changes the intent of "it's easier to ask for forgiveness than to beg for permission" to a negative in favor of less precautions. It is more complicated for me to answer in just a yes/no answer.
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? Comment: I decline to answer as I do not know the reforms to be addressed.
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: See Douglas County School Board races and how that school board negatively impacted education when they brought in outside influences and money to open it to charter schools and so called "reforms."
