Issue Position: Jobs, Business, and Balanced Budgets

Issue Position

Roads, bridges, cell phones, and Internet

In Colorado's 3rd district we are fortunate to enjoy famous mountain terrain that helps makes us who we are and who we love to be. People come from around the world to see this place that we call home, but that beautiful terrain is tough on roads, bridges, cell phone coverage, and broadband internet access. The entire nation enjoys visiting the treasures that we have but for those of us who live here, we understand that infrastructure must be maintained so that our small businesses can compete nationally. Repairing the infrastructure is not just about the short term jobs involved with the repairs, it is about the long term growth of our local economies which sustains jobs.

Minimum Wage

Consumer spending has become a fundamental part of our US Economy. When coupled with healthcare spending by the public and private sectors it accounts for as much as 70% of the US economy. The success of our economy and the survival of our working families relies upon a livable wage and health benefits. Families need to earn enough money to survive and pay for their health benefits whether they pay out of pocket, or receive them as benefits from their employer.
International Trade and Worker's Protections
International trade has brought commerce across borders, but it is important to our American workers that trade agreements contain meaningful and enforceable labor protections. Americans cannot allow our workforce to be undersold by companies that allow unsafe treatment of their workers for unlivable wages.

Small Business

Small businesses in our district needs infrastructure to compete and survive. Roads, bridges, cell coverage, and broadband are essential for our small businesses to attract customers and to ensure efficient transportation of goods in and out of communities. Reliable infrastructure is key to compete in the increasingly global marketplace.

Balanced Budgets

As the former chair of Colorado's Joint Budget Committee in the State Senate my committee always produced a balanced budget. Budget choices can be difficult, and when money is taken away from the vital infrastructure that provides small businesses survival we may force them to move out or shut down. The collapse of businesses in our communities shrinks the tax base and can lead to stagnation or ruin. The budget must be balanced fairly without taking away the path to the American Dream.

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