Legislative Goals

Having been raised in Pueblo and having served this community for over 30 years, my goals for service in the State Senate are simply a reflection of some of our greatest needs.

Grow Jobs

Jobs that pay a living wage are the priority

Creating jobs is my No. 1 priority. Keeping the American Dream alive in the 21st Century means making sure families can still get ahead and join the middle class. It is our job to remove barriers so that hard-working people are not prevented from getting ahead. We need to work to ensure that when we spend tax dollars and award state contracts, workers are earning a living wage. There is great need for transparency and accountability when we offer corporate incentives – most folks want to see exactly how taxpayer dollars are creating jobs that we are promised.

We must set forth a new course and I have the unique background to ensure a unique approach. The old ways don't work any more. There is a big difference between helping to make a family a little less poor and actually creating ways to enter the middle class. Yes, 20% of our Pueblo population live below the federal poverty line but, how many more families live just above that poverty line and still far below actual self-sufficiency. In order to address these challenges, necessities like health care, child care and housing must be affordable.

Invest in Education

Ensuring a stronger economic future for all of us

To make Colorado a land of opportunity for everyone in the 21st Century, we have to start with education. Everything builds on this foundation. If we fail in this, nothing else we do will matter much.

We cannot afford a dual system that moves some kids forward and leaves others behind. We need all young people to be able to compete and contribute to our state or our communities and our economy will suffer. We all know that when students develop talents and reach their potential they are less likely to impose costs on the system throughout their lives. Our economy needs everyone pulling in the same direction.

We need schools that work for ALL our kids - that means raising performance across the board; providing flexibility and rewarding innovation; closing the persistent performance gaps among kids of different economic and racial backgrounds; preparing kids to succeed whether in college or the workplace; and ensuring kids who want to go to college can afford to do so.

Protect Pueblo

Fighting for Pueblo interests in water management, state jobs, and human services

WATER MANAGEMENT
I will work on conservation, responsible growth, and beneficial water usage for the socio-economic benefit of the residents of the southeastern Colorado; and I will ensure that water originating here remains here. I will be a strong proponent for the study of new initiatives statewide to increase our storage capacity and to repair and maintain our current water storage facilities.

STATE JOBS
Pueblo is home to some of the state's largest and most vital operations: the Colorado State Fair, Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo, the Colorado Lottery, Pueblo Regional Center, and numerous public-safety and criminal justice facilities. Thousands of Pueblo residents work in these institutions, serving the people of Colorado. I will fight to ensure these institutions remain here so Pueblo employees can continue to support their families and continue to contribute to our local economy.

HUMAN SERVICES
Tough economic times require the delivery of high quality human services that help individuals, families and communities. The Colorado Department of Human Services is the second largest agency in Colorado State Government and in the 2009 fiscal budget were afforded 2 billion dollars. It is my commitment that we account for responsible use of public dollars by maximizing efficient use of our resources.