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: For far too long the service industry has gotten away with paying bare minimum wages and relying on tips. The consequence of this is real, servers and other tipped employees are left at the mercy of the customers to determine if they can pay rent. Businesses should be responsible for paying livable wages, tips or not tips.
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: Improperly classified workers is a significant issue and one that puts workers at risk for significant exploitation. I support strong legislation that forces businesses to classify workers appropriately and an exchange where true contract workers can choose to purchase unemployment, workers compensation, etc. When a person is injured and out of work unexpectedly, they should not be at risk of bankruptcy.
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 a tiered tax rate that is based on a businesses profit and one that provides tax incentives and financial support to small businesses that are paying livable wages and offering strong benefits.
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: The Taxpayer's Bill of Rights are really pretty words for an amendment that has hindered our states ability to keep up with inflation, maintain our infrastructure, and provide the quality of life we all want. I believe we should take a good look at the intentions of TABOR, the consequences of it, and determine if it is serving the purpose it was meant to. I believe the answer will be an overwhelming no.
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: Health care is a basic need and one that every individual should have access to. As a social worker, I have seen first hand the impact of the skyrocketing costs of healthcare and I know many people who have been unable to access care because of their high deductibles. A healthier society that allows people to receive preventative and maintenance medical care benefits us all, from the diabetic whose life is reliant on insulin, to the business owner who is expecting them to come into work, and the taxpayer who will receive a much higher bill if the diabetes go managed. I support a public option that allows everyone to have access to the insurance and care they need.
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: I believe that if a business is following all CDC guidelines and local and state mandates, the court would not find them to be responsible for someone contracting COVID on site. I also think it is important to have the necessary tools to hold businesses who choose to be neglectful in their actions accountable to those harmed by their actions.
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:
