John Salazar - Political Positions -

John T. Salazar

Commissioner John T. Salazar's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

Full Name:	John T. Salazar
Office:	Commissioner of Agriculture (CO), No Party Affiliation
First Appointed:	01/05/2011

Gender:	Male
Family:	Wife: Mary Lou; 3 Children: Jesus, Esteban, Miguel
Birth Date:	07/21/1953
Birth Place:	Alamosa, CO
Home City:	Manassa, CO
Religion:	Catholic

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John Salazar refused to tell citizens where he stands on any of the issues addressed in the 2010 Political Courage Test, despite repeated requests from Vote Smart, national media, and prominent political leaders.

What is the Political Courage Test?

Issue Positions

In response to the increasing unwillingness of candidates to answer issue questions, Project Vote Smart has researched Presidential and Congressional candidates' public ecords to determine candidates' likely responses on certain key issues. These issue positions, from the year 2010, are provided below as a courtesy to voters.

Unknown Position		Abortion Issues: Do you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life?
Vote Smart's Research John Salazar. 2002. Colorado State Legislative National Political Awareness Test. Other: "THIS PERSONAL DECISION SHOULD BE LEFT TO A MOTHER AND HER MAKER." NARAL Pro-Choice America. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. John Salazar supported the interests of NARAL Pro-Choice America 50 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org) National Right to Life Committee. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. John Salazar supported the interests of the National Right to Life Committee 25 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org) Planned Parenthood. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. John Salazar supported the interests of Planned Parenthood 60 percent in 2008. (votesmart.org) John Salazar. H Amdt 209 to HR 1815. 109th Congress. An amendment numbered 12 printed in House Report 109-96 to lift the current ban on privately funded abortions at U.S. military facilities overseas. Project Vote Smart Summary: John Salazar voted NO on 25 May 2005. (votesmart.org) John Salazar. H Amdt 509 to HR 3962. 111th Congress. An amendment printed in Part C of House Report 111-330 to codify the Hyde Amendment in H.R. 3962. The amendment prohibits federal funds for abortion services in the public option. It also prohibits individuals who receive affordability credits from purchasing a plan that provides elective abortions. However, it allows individuals, both who receive affordability credits and who do not, to separately purchase with their own funds plans that cover elective abortions. It also clarifies that private plans may still offer elective abortions. Project Vote Smart Summary: John Salazar voted YES on 7 November 2009. (votesmart.org) 2010. WhoRunsGov.com: John Salazar: Social Issues. "While he voted to impose stricter parental notification laws, Salazar generally supports abortion rights, and he voted to expand stem-cell research." (www.whorunsgov.com)
Yes		Budget, Spending, and Tax Issues: Do you support the elimination of the federal estate tax?
Vote Smart's Research John Salazar. HR 8. 108th Congress. To make the repeal of the estate tax permanent. Project Vote Smart Summary: John Salazar voted YES on 13 April 2005. (votesmart.org) John Salazar. HR 5638. 109th Congress. To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to increase the unified credit against the estate tax to an exclusion equivalent of $5,000,000 and to repeal the sunset provision for the estate and generation-skipping taxes, and for other purposes. Project Vote Smart Summary: John Salazar voted YES on 22 June 2006. (votesmart.org) National Taxpayers Union. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. John Salazar supported the interests of the National Taxpayers Union 8 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org) 2010. WhoRunsGov.com: John Salazar: The Economy. "During his first congressional campaign, Salazar advocated the repeal of President Bush's tax cuts for those making more than $200,000 a year. Yet he also voiced his opposition to the estate tax - a position to which he stayed true in 2006, when he was one of only 43 Democrats to support that tax's permenant repeal." (www.whorunsgov.com) John Salazar. Congressman Salazar Votes To Keep Estate Tax From Growing On Colorado Farmers, Ranchers And Business Owners. 3 December 2009. "Today, U.S. Congressman John Salazar voted to keep estate taxes from going up for more Colorado residents. Currently, the estate tax is scheduled to increase from 45 percent to 55 percent in 2011. Today's vote on H.R. 4154, the "Permanent Estate Tax Relief for Families, Farmers and Small Businesses Act" is intended to prevent that increase from taking place. Specific details of the tax are provided below. Although Congressman Salazar supports a full repeal of the estate tax due to its impact on the agricultural community, he believes today's vote was important to keep the tax from going up further. Earlier this year, Congressman Salazar sponsored the "Save the Family Farm and Ranch Act" which would have eliminated the estate tax for heirs of farms and ranches if they keep their land in production or conservation. On today's vote, Congressman Salazar offered the following statement: 'I am happy that the House of Representatives took a proactive approach that will support farmers, ranchers and businesses owners across Colorado's Third Congressional District. Although I support a full repeal of the estate tax, doing so would have increased our national debt which we are working so hard to reduce. Although we did not get everything we wanted in this bill today, we moved forward with estate tax reform.'" (votesmart.org)
Yes		Budget, Spending, and Tax Issues: Do you support using government funds in an effort to stimulate and improve the economy?
Vote Smart's Research Club for Growth. 2008. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. John Salazar supported the interests of the Club for Growth 8 percent in 2008. (votesmart.org) John Salazar. HR 1. 111th Congress. Making supplemental appropriations for job preservation and creation, infrastructure investment, energy efficiency and science, assistance to the unemployed, and State and local fiscal stabilization, for fiscal year ending September 30, 2009, and for other purposes. Project Vote Smart Summary: John Salazar voted YES on 13 February 2009. (votesmart.org) John Salazar. HR 1424. 111th Congress. To provide authority for the Federal Government to purchase and insure certain types of troubled assets for the purposes of providing stability to and preventing disruption in the economy and financial system and protecting taxpayers, to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide incentives for energy production and conservation, to extend certain expiring provisions, to provide individual income tax relief, and for other purposes. Project Vote Smart Summary: John Salazar voted NO on 10 March 2008. (votesmart.org) John Salazar. Congressman Salazar Announces Green Job Placement Program For Hard Working Coloradoans. 6 January 2010. "The program proposes to enroll 1,913 program participants across the state and place 80 percent of program participants into unsubsidized employment. The funding comes from a U.S. Department of Labor Energy Training Partnership grant. Funding for the grant comes from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act stimulus bill. On this funding, Congressman Salazar offered the following statement: 'Coloradans are smart, hard-working people who know how to adapt to the energy needs of the future. I'm glad that this federal funding will help those in need now while building a stronger, safer energy future for our children. This is a step toward a more secure Colorado energy economy and I'm proud to help take it.'" (votesmart.org) John Salazar. House Passage of Bailout Legislation. 3 October 2008. "Congress should have rejected the administration and brought forward a bill that was tough enough to protect the American taxpayer and small business owner, included the regulations necessary to prevent this mess from happening again, provided assistance to help Americans stay in their homes, and had the guts to be fiscally responsible. I know that some will criticize me for this vote. I understand the anger over how we got here and the fear over what might happen in the future. At the end of the day, my vote was one of principle for my three children, my grandson, and the millions of young Americans who are going to inherit the bill for a mess they didn't create. They deserve better - they deserve a Congress that sticks around, no matter how long it takes, to get it right. Congress could have, and should have, stayed in Washington to produce a better bill." (votesmart.org) John Salazar. Salazar says Recovery Bill is "The Right Choice for a Tough Time" 28 January 2009. "Today, Congressman John Salazar helped to pass the American Recovery and Reinvestment Bill of 2009. The measure passed 244-188. This package represents a concerted effort to create and save 3 to 4 million jobs, jumpstart the economy, and begin the process of transforming it for the 21st century with $275 billion in economic recovery tax cuts and $550 billion in thoughtful and carefully targeted priority investments with unprecedented accountability measures built in. Upon the bill's passage Congressman Salazar offered the following statement: 'Today we voted not only to help jumpstart our existing economy, but to grow and invest in the economy of the future. With this bill we are repairing America's aging infrastructure, cutting taxes and investing in new energy and the education of a 21st century workforce. As a proud member of the Blue Dog caucus I will never spend taxpayer's money without significant cause and careful consideration and both were the case with this bill. This is the right choice for a tough time.'" (votesmart.org) John Salazar. Issue Position: Helping Small Businesses. "John Salazar is committed to protecting small businesses, which are vital to the economy of the 3rd CD. Many of today's largest corporations were once small businesses, and without small businesses our rural economies could not exist. They provide jobs and economic development to our communities, and add to the tax base of our cities, counties, states, and federal governments. Small businesses represent more than 99 percent of all employers in the United States, and account for nearly all of the self-employed. According to the Congressional Research Service, there are over 17,000 small businesses in the 3rd CD alone. In this time of economic turmoil and uncertainty, small businesses play a critical role in rebuilding our economy and creating jobs." (votesmart.org)
No		Business and Employment Issues: Do you support privatizing elements of Social Security?
Vote Smart's Research Peter Roper. 2010. The Pueblo Chieftan: Salazar, Tipton exchange blasts over Social Security, Immigration. 29 September 2006. "On Social Security, Salazar took a high profile position in opposing President Bush's call for private accounts in 2005. He introduced legislation to prevent contributions to the Social Security Trust Fund from being spent on anything except retiree benefits - essentially defending the current benefit system." (www.chieftain.com) John Salazar. Issue Position: Social Security. "Social Security has successfully kept millions of seniors from falling into poverty at retirement. John Salazar believes that we must do all we can to ensure that Social Security is preserved and our seniors are protected. John is also concerned about the efforts to privatize Social Security. Taking money out of the current system and risking it in the stock market could threaten Social Security and lead to a decrease in benefits for present and future retirees. We cannot forget the lessons we learned from Enron- a retirement fund that relies on the stock market is simply not a guaranteed benefit." (votesmart.org) John Salazar. Rep. Salazar Proposes Legislation To Protect Social Security. 9 March 2007. "To secure the retirement income for working Americans, U.S. Rep. John Salazar (CO-3) introduced legislation this week that protects Social Security funds from being used to establish private accounts. It also ensures that those funds are only used to pay Social Security benefits. 'For more than 70 years, Social Security has kept many of the hard-working people in this country from living in extreme poverty. We must keep our promise to protect Social Security. It should be there when our seniors retire,' Rep. Salazar said. 'I will fight to strengthen our Social Security so that U.S. workers get the benefits they were promised.'" (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position		Crime Issues: Do you support capital punishment for certain crimes?
Vote Smart's Research Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants. 2005-2006. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. John Salazar supported the interests of the Citizens United for the Rehabilitation of Errants 56 percent in 2005-2006. (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position		Education Issues: Do you support federal education standards and testing requirements for K-12 students?
Vote Smart's Research Despite exhaustive research, Project Vote Smart was unable to find information about this candidate's position.
Unknown Position		Environment and Energy Issues: Do you support enacting environmental regulations aimed at reducing the effects of climate change?
Vote Smart's Research Environment America. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. John Salazar supported the interests of Environment America 93 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org) John Salazar. 2002. Colorado State Legislative National Political Awareness Test. Checked in support of: "a) Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology." Other: "b) Corporate polluters should flip the bill, c) Before we commit to additional water storage, current facilities must be brought up to par....." John Salazar. HR 2454. 111th Congress. To create clean energy jobs, achieve energy independence, reduce global warming pollution and transition to a clean energy economy. Project Vote Smart Summary: John Salazar voted NO on 26 June 2009. (votesmart.org) John Salazar. Congressman Salazar Supports Goal of Energy Bill but Says Current Version is "Unfair to Coloradans". 26 June 2009. "Addressing our nation's consumption of fossil fuels, and their long term impact on our environment, is of critical importance. While I strongly agree the issue of climate change must be addressed, the bill voted on today places a disproportionate burden on the backs of my constituents. It is my hope that as this bill works its way through Congress, we end up with a bill that I will be proud to support. I have always been a strong proponent of creating green jobs and investing in renewable energy. But the cost to consumers in this bill is highest for those living in rural America, particularly in a district like Colorado's Third where the Low Income Energy Assistance Program is vital in getting us through our long harsh winters. The Congressional Budget Office estimates the bill will cost the average U.S. household $165 annually. But in my district estimated annual increases are between a few hundred dollars and several thousand dollars per household. I cannot support dramatically increasing utility rates on my constituents, at a time when I feel the economy is just starting to stabilize across the state. I believe there were a number of steps that would have lessened the burden on my constituents. I strongly advocated for increasing allowances and extensions of the timelines for rural utility providers. I believed the bill should have included a strong investment in clean coal technology and nuclear power. If we're serious about curbing our reliance on fossil fuels, every option must be on the table. But these steps were not ultimately included in today's bill. Perhaps they will be in the future. I will continue to be a strong advocate for green jobs and renewable energies - Colorado should be the national leader in wind, solar and geothermal. As this bill evolves, and I hope it will, I will continue to advocate on behalf of rural districts to make sure that they are not unfairly burdened with the cost of this important legislation." (votesmart.org) John Salazar. Issue Position: Promoting Energy Independence. "The United States is today facing an energy crisis due mostly to the imbalance between the demand for energy and supplies, and our increasing reliance on unreliable foreign energy sources. The best way to solve our Nation's energy problems is to have more diversified and reliable sources of energy. It is critical that we promote the use of renewable and alternative sources of energy, such as wind, solar, and biofuels. Additionally, we have to encourage responsible development of our own domestic supplies of oil, natural gas, and coal. I also support the President's call for increased use of nuclear energy and for investments into developing clean coal technologies. Meeting our energy needs in reliable and innovative ways will not only enable us to reduce our dependence on foreign oil and gas, but also create new energy jobs for Coloradoans and promote cleaner sources of energy friendlier to our environment." (votesmart.org)
No		Gun Issues: Do you support restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns?
Vote Smart's Research Gun Owners of America. 2010. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. In 2010 Gun Owners of America gave John Salazar a grade of D. (votesmart.org) John Salazar. HR 6842. 111th Congress. To restore Second Amendment rights in the District of Columbia. Project Vote Smart Summary: John Salazar voted YES on 17 September 2008. (votesmart.org) National Rifle Association-Political Victory Fund. 2006. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Endorsements. 13 October 2010. NRA-PVF endorsed John Salazar in 2006. (www.nrapvf.org) John Salazar. Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act. 20 October 2005. "Mr. Speaker, I consider myself a strong supporter of the second amendment to our Constitution and truly believe in the rights of Americans to keep and bear arms." (votesmart.org) John Salazar. Salazar Statement on Supreme Court Overturning the DC Gun Ban. 26 June 2008. "The Supreme Court's decision reinforces one of the fundamental rights on which America was founded - the right to keep and bear arms. I have always been a strong supporter of our 2nd Amendment, and I will continue that support for as long as I am privileged to serve in Congress." (votesmart.org)
Yes		Health Issues: Do you support a publicly-administered health insurance option?
Vote Smart's Research John Salazar. 2002. Colorado State Legislative National Political Awareness Test. Salazar checked in support of: "a) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms or state-funded care where necessary." American Public Health Association. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. John Salazar supported the interests of the American Public Health Association 71 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org) Brandon Gee. 2010. Steamboat Today: John Salazar talks about health care debate. 21 August 2009. "U.S. Rep. John Salazar, a Blue Dog Democrat accused of hiding from the health care debate, outlined and defended his stances on the issue Thursday. Those stances include support of the "public option" and his argument that health care reform is critical but cannot add to the national deficit." (www.steamboatpilot.com) John Salazar. HR 3962. 111th Congress. To provide affordable, quality health care for all Americans and reduce the growth in health care spending, and for other purposes. Project Vote Smart Summary: John Salazar voted YES on 7 November 2009. (votesmart.org) John Salazar. 2010. The Denver Post: Q&A on health care reform with Colorado's congressional delegation. 9 September 2009. Responded: "I believe a public option could address many of the issues we have with health care today, but I do not feel it is the only way to achieve reform. I will support a public option if it is included in the bill. If it is not, I will look at the other options and support them as long as they truly reform the system." to the question: "Do you support health reform legislation that includes a so-called public option? Why or why not?" (www.denverpost.com) John Salazar. Issue Position: Health Care. "John Salazar is committed to strengthening our nation's rural health care system and expanding access to care for residents throughout the Third District of Colorado. John is working in Congress to reign in the spiraling cost of health care and prescription drugs, improve rural health care infrastructure, and identify ways to help small business owners offer employer sponsored health insurance....John is working towards a comprehensive solution that will provide tax relief for employers who seek to provide this important benefit to employees and their families." (votesmart.org) John Salazar. Salazar Statement On Impending Health Care Vote. 18 March 2010. "Much has been made of the insurance Members of Congress receive. And it's true, we do have good insurance because we're able to purchase it on an exchange -- exactly what this bill will do for millions of Americans." (votesmart.org) John Salazar. Congressman Salazar Celebrates Today's Passage Of Historic Health Care Legislation. 21 March 2010. "Rising health care costs are stifling business growth, threatening the long term solvency of Medicare, and bankrupting American families. Failure to address these issues will cripple our economic stability for decades. This is important. Millions of Americans will now benefit from combined purchasing power on the exchange just like Members of Congress and federal employees." (votesmart.org)
Unknown Position		Immigration Issues: Do you support a pathway to citizenship for illegal immigrants?
Vote Smart's Research National Latino Congreso. 2007-2010. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. John Salazar supported the interests of the National Latino Congreso 63 percent in 2007-2010. (votesmart.org) Federation for American Immigration Reform. 2007-2008. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. John Salazar supported the interests of the Federation for American Immigration Reform 23 percent in 2007-2008. (votesmart.org) Kathy Kiely. USA Today: 4 Hispanic lawmakers, 4 differing views, 1 point. 2 April 2006. "John Salazar-Salazar, 52, says he favors an immigration bill along the lines of Bush's proposal. That would combine border security with expanded temporary worker programs and a plan to legalize the nation's undocumented workers. His younger brother, Sen. Ken Salazar, D-Colo., is a major backer of the bill. John Salazar says he voted for the House bill, although he opposes its plans to make illegal immigration a felony and build the border fence, because he "wanted to move the debate along." "I knew a comprehensive immigration bill wasn't going to pass in the House," he says. He hopes the Senate will send back a measure he likes better.Salazar says he vacillated about his vote until the last minute. "I still have mixed feelings," he says. As a rancher who harvests 2,000 acres of potatoes a year, Salazar says he appreciates the need for more temporary agricultural workers. "I basically support what the president wants to do." (www.usatoday.com)
Yes		International Policy Issues: Do you support United States military action in Afghanistan?
Vote Smart's Research Peace Action West. 2009. Project Vote Smart: Interest Group Ratings. John Salazar supported the interests of Peace Action West 46 percent in 2009. (votesmart.org) John Salazar. HR 4899. 111th Congress. Supplemental Appropriations Act. Project Vote Smart Summary: John Salazar voted NO on Limiting Afghanistan Military Funding to Withdrawal and Other Specified Purposes on 1 July 2010. (votesmart.org) John Salazar. HR 4899. 111th Congress. Supplemental Appropriations Act. Project Vote Smart Summary: John Salazar voted NO on Requiring Timetable for Withdrawal from Afghanistan on 1 July 2010. (votesmart.org) Joey Bunch. 2010. The Denver Post: Colo. congressional delegation wary of Obama's Afghanistan surge plan. 2 December 2009. "Rep. John Salazar, a Manassa Democrat, firmly supported the president and said he was "confident our nation can tackle the very serious challenges we face in Afghanistan." (www.denverpost.com)
Unknown Position		Social Issues: Should marriage only be between one man and one woman?
Vote Smart's Research John Salazar. H J Res 88. 109th Congress. Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States relating to marriage. Project Vote Smart Summary: John Salazar voted NO on 18 July 2006. (votesmart.org) 2010. WhoRunsGov.com: John Salazar: Social Issues. "He supports civil unions and opposes a constitutional amendment to ban same-sex marriage. "The gay community does not threaten my manhood," Salazar said in 2004, arguing that the Constitution should not be "utilized to take people's rights away." (www.whorunsgov.com)

Key

: Official Position: Candidate had the Political Courage to address this issue directly.
: Inferred Position: Candidate refused to address this issue directly, but Project Vote Smart inferred this issue position based on the candidate's public statements, voting record, and evaluations from special interest groups.
: Unknown Position: Candidate refused to address this issue.
: Project Vote Smart's Research: Click on this icon to reveal more information about this candidate's position.

Other or Expanded Principles & Legislative Priorities are entered exactly as the candidate has submitted it. Project Vote Smart does not edit for misspelled words, punctuation or grammar.

Colorado State Legislative Election 2002 National Political Awareness Test

This candidate has responded to a Political Courage Test in a previous election. As a continued effort to provide the American public with factual information on candidates running for public office, these archived responses are made available here.

The Political Courage Test asks candidates which items they will support if elected. It does not ask them to indicate which items they will oppose. Through extensive research of public polling data, we discovered that voters are more concerned with what candidates would support when elected to office, not what they oppose. If a candidate does not select a response to any part or all of any question, it does not necessarily indicate that the candidate is opposed to that particular item.

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Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.
	a) Abortions should always be illegal.
	b) Abortions should always be legally available.
	c) Abortions should be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy.
	d) Abortions should be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape.
	e) Abortions should be legal when the life of the woman is endangered.
	f) Eliminate public funding for abortions and public funding of organizations that advocate or perform abortions.
	g) Other or expanded principles
THIS PERSONAL DECISION SHOULD BE LEFT TO A MOTHER AND HER MAKER.

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels you will support for the following general categories.
	a) Education (Higher)
	b) Education (K-12)
	c) Environment
	d) Health care
	e) Law enforcement
	f) Transportation and Highway infrastructure
	g) Welfare
	h) Other or expanded categories

State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels you will support.
	a) Alcohol taxes
	b) Capital gains taxes
	c) Cigarette taxes
	d) Corporate taxes
	e) Gasoline taxes
	f) Income taxes
	g) Inheritance taxes
	h) Property taxes
	i) Sales taxes
	j) Vehicle taxes
	k) Other or expanded categories

No	l) Do you support increasing state taxes to fund transportation projects?
No	m) Should Internet sales be taxed?
	n) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.
Undecided	a) Do you support the current limit of two, four-year terms for Colorado governors?
Undecided	b) Do you support the current limit of four, two-year terms for Colorado state representatives?
Undecided	c) Do you support the current limit of two, four-year terms for Colorado state senators?
d) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative and gubernatorial candidates?
Undecided	1) Individual
Undecided	2) PAC
Undecided	3) Corporate
No	4) Political Parties
Yes	e) Do you support requiring full and timely disclosure of campaign finance information?
Undecided	f) Do you support partial funding from state taxes for state level political campaigns?
Undecided	g) Do you support voting on-line?
Yes	h) Do you support expanding the use of mail-in ballots?
Yes	i) Do you support adopting statewide standards for counting, verifying and ensuring accuracy of votes?
Yes	j) Do you support allowing citizens to register to vote and cast a ballot on Election Day?
Undecided	k) Do you support prohibiting the reporting of media exit polling results until all polling locations in Colorado are closed?
No	l) Should Colorado recognize civil unions between same-sex couples?
Yes	m) Should Colorado restrict marriage to a union only between a man and a woman?
	n) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.
	a) Increase state funds for construction of state prisons and for hiring of additional prison staff.
	b) Support contracting with private sector firms to build and/or manage state prisons.
	c) Support the use of the death penalty in Colorado.
	d) Support requiring a unanimous vote by the jury to pass a death penalty sentence.
X	e) Support programs to provide prison inmates with vocational and job-related skills and job-placement assistance when released.
X	f) End parole for repeat violent offenders.
X	g) Implement penalties other than incarceration for certain non-violent offenders.
	h) Decriminalize the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes.
	i) Strengthen penalties and sentences for drug-related crimes.
	j) Minors accused of a violent crime should be prosecuted as adults.
	k) Require that crimes based on gender, sexual orientation or disability be prosecuted as hate crimes.
	l) Ban the use of racial profiling by law enforcement officers.
X	m) Increase state funding for community centers and other social agencies in areas with at-risk youth.
X	n) Increase state funding for additional security of critical infrastructure against terrorist attacks.
	o) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.
	a) Support national standards and testing of public school students.
	b) Provide parents with state-funded vouchers to send their children to any participating school (public, private, religious).
X	c) Increase state funds for school capital improvements (e.g. buildings and infrastructure).
X	d) Increase state funds for hiring additional teachers.
	e) Support teacher testing and reward teachers with merit pay.
	f) Support displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools.
	g) Endorse teacher-led voluntary prayer in public schools.
	h) Require public schools to administer high school exit exams.
X	i) Provide state funding to increase teacher salaries.
X	j) Increase state funding to expand Head Start programs.
X	k) Provide state funding for tax incentives and financial aid to help make college more affordable.
	l) Support age-appropriate sexual education programs that teach about abstinence, contraceptives and HIV/STD prevention methods.
	m) Support abstinence-only sexual education programs.
	n) Limit bilingual education to one year for English language learners.
	o) Require the use of Internet filters on public school and public library computers.
	p) Other or expanded principles

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning employment.
	a) Increase funding for state job-training programs that re-train displaced workers or teach skills needed in today's job market.
X	b) Reduce state government regulations on the private sector to encourage investment and economic expansion.
X	c) Provide low interest loans and tax credits for starting, expanding or relocating businesses.
X	d) Provide tax credits for businesses that provide child care for their employees.
	e) Increase state funds to provide child care for children of low-income working families.
	f) Include sexual orientation in Colorado's anti-discrimination laws.
	g) Other or expanded principles

Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity or gender be taken into account in state agencies' decisions on:
Undecided	a) College and university admissions
No	b) Public employment
No	c) State contracting
	d) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.
X	a) Promote increased use of alternative fuel technology.
	b) Use state funds to clean up former industrial and commercial sites that are contaminated, unused or abandoned.
Undecided	c) Do you support building more water reservoirs in Colorado?
Yes	d) Do you support state funding for open space preservation?
Undecided	e) Should state environmental regulations be stricter than federal law?
X	f) Other or expanded principles
b} Corperate polluters should flip the bill, c} Before we commit to additional water storage, current facilities must be brought up to par.....

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.
	a) Ban the sale or transfer of semi-automatic guns, except those used for hunting.
X	b) Maintain and strengthen the enforcement of existing state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
	c) Ease state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
	d) Repeal state restrictions on the purchase and possession of guns.
	e) Support a uniform, statewide policy for issuing permits to carry concealed handguns.
	f) Require manufacturers to provide child-safety locks on guns.
	g) Require background checks on gun sales between private citizens at gun shows.
	h) Require a license for gun possession.
X	i) Other or expanded principles
I believe very strongly in our constitutional right to keep and bear arms.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health issues.
X	a) Ensure that citizens have access to basic health care through managed care, insurance reforms or state-funded care where necessary.
	b) Transfer more existing Medicaid recipients into managed care programs.
	c) Limit the amount of damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits.
X	d) Support patients' right to sue their HMOs.
X	e) Support patients' right to appeal to an administrative board of specialists when services are denied by their HMO.
	f) Guaranteed medical care to all citizens is not a responsibility of state government.
	g) Legalize physician-assisted suicide in Colorado.
X	h) Increase state funding for training health workers to recognize and respond to the release of biological agents.
	i) Other or expanded principles

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare.
	a) Support current time limits on welfare benefits.
X	b) Increase employment and job training programs for welfare recipients.
	c) Provide tax incentives to businesses that hire welfare recipients.
	d) Provide child care for welfare recipients who work.
X	e) Increase access to public transportation for welfare recipients who work.
	f) Eliminate government-funded welfare programs.
X	g) Redirect welfare funding to faith-based and community-based private organizations.
	h) Use federal TANF (Temporary Assistance to Needy Families) funds to expand state services to include the working poor.
	i) Other or expanded principles

	In a total of seventy-five (75) words or less, please explain what your two main legislative priorities will be if elected. Please explain how you would obtain any additional government funding needed to implement these priorities.

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John T. Salazar

Commissioner John T. Salazar's Issue Positions (Political Courage Test)

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Colorado State Legislative Election 2002 National Political Awareness Test

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning abortion.

State Budget: Indicate the funding levels you will support for the following general categories.

State Taxes: Indicate the tax levels you will support.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding campaign finance and government reform.

d) Do you support limiting the following types of contributions to state legislative and gubernatorial candidates?

Indicate which principles you support (if any) to address crime.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding education.

Employment: Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning employment.

Affirmative Action: Should race, ethnicity or gender be taken into account in state agencies' decisions on:

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding the environment and energy.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) concerning gun issues.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding health issues.

Indicate which principles you support (if any) regarding welfare.

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