Economy
A strong economy is not a wide wealth gap, or a service sector that can barely make ends meet, or teachers who can’t afford to live where they work, or childcare providers who live in poverty. A strong economy is where everyone can earn a living wage. Colorado was ranked 9th of the country’s richest states. Yet, we are 40th in k-12 funding and 49th in higher education funding.The CDC ranks Colorado 30th in Healthcare funding, And Colorado has 11.5% of children living in poverty. We must make our economy work for everyone and that includes reforming our tax structure to adequately fund our schools, healthcare, higher ed, child care, transportation, and the lifesaving social welfare services many in Adams county rely on.
Education
A strong education is a vital foundation for successful adults and its starts from day one. Our education system must adapt with the changing times including the ability for local districts to implement standard based student achievement assessments, provide education supporting services like mental health services and tutoring, and ensure that teachers are given pay and support they need to be successful.
- We must invest in early childhood education in whatever setting the families choose including center based, family child care homes, grandmas, unces, aunties, or the neighbor down that street. Early childhood is the foundation of a human’s development and ALL children deserve a strong start. Providers should be paid what they deserve for caring for our youngest and most vulnerable residents. Families should Never have to make sacrifices to afford childcare. OUr early childhood system must continue to be improved upon to ensure that Early childhood services are available to everyone.
- In the last couple of years, Colorado’s k-12 funding has brought us from being 49th in the country to 40th. Most teachers can’t afford to live where they work and even with raises, are still forced to have a second and sometimes a third job. Students in Westminster’s School district and across Colorado should have the best resources and tools to facilitate their learning, and teachers should NEVER have to pay out of pocket for books or supplies.
- Colorado remains 49th in Higher Ed funding leaving our students with either unbearable debt or the option of accessing higher ed in another state. We are also not taking advantage of our skilled college graduates right here at home, and instead importing talent, leaving Colorado with a college paradox. In order to support our young adults in their higher ed dreams, we must create a system where higher ed is affordable and ensure that employers look for talent locally FIRST.
Energy and climate change
In 2020, Governor Polis released the Pollution Reduction Roadmap. While this is a good start, We still have a long way to go to ensure we have healthy quality air, water, and land for ourselves and future generations:
- We have many issues that are directly impacting our district including air and water quality. In order to improve the quality of both of these essential elements, we must enforce stricter regulations on Suncorp and the smaller industries that are not complying with the regulations.
- Our communities in HD 35 and nearby deserve actionable restorative justice as we have been on the front lines holding the burden of the pollution and environmental injustices.
- We must work to support local communities to implement the statewide recycling initiative as soon as possible. Colorado must also create a statewide composting initiative that supports all of our communities. The methane that is emitted through rotten trash is more potent and toxic than carbon dioxide.
- Currently the Just Transition plan only addresses Coal workers, but leaves out the thousands of Oil and Gas workers including many who live right here in HD 35. A just transition must include the entire workforce in the Fossil Fuel industry including ITIN holders.
Housing
No one should unwillingly live without a stable roof over their heads and housing should not be considered a privilege. In order for anyone to lead a healthy life, housing as a basic need must be met and it’s the government’s obligation to help make sure this basic need is met.
- Lift the restriction for localities to enact rent control measures
- Pass Rent Stabilization for Mobil Home Owners
- Create an easier pathway for Mobil Home Owners to purchase the land their homes are on
- Add rental payment history to credit reports
- Pass and enact Just Cause Eviction protections
- Build more affordable quality housing
- Provide comprehensive services to support unhoused people in establishing stable housing, a secure job, substance dependency counseling and mental health supports.
- Create a pathway to home ownership for ALL Coloradans.
Health care
Health care should be a basic human right. Only when we are healthy, are we most productive. Everyone should have the right to high quality healthcare without the barriers of cost. We should never have to deny ourselves treatment because our deductibles are too high, or we can’t afford the prescription costs. We should never have to file bankruptcy because our medical bills are out of control. Colorado must return to the drawing table to pass a Statewide public option from healthcare and work towards delinking healthcare and employment.
Reproductive Justice
Reproductive Justice is an issue that every person faces. It is something that no one should interfere with. Everyone should have the information and tools they need to make their own personal and informed decisions. People deserve unrestricted access to services that support their reproductive health including contraception, abortion, and sterilization services should they choose to use them. This also includes Birthing Options. Not all families want to birth in a hospital and should have access to birthing centers, direct entry midwives and doulas. Income, geography, race, or where you work should not be a determining factor for which services you can access.