The Economy

Fort Collins consistently tops the national list of best places to live. In July, Money magazine listed Fort Collins as the second-best place to live in the U.S., and we've weathered the foreclosure crisis better than most communities in Colorado. But not everyone is making a decent living, so we need to keep working to strengthen our economy. 

As a long-time advocate for working families, I am devoted to building an economy that works for all of us. Paychecks need to keep up with rising expenses, and honest, hardworking citizens shouldn't have to face the possibility of losing their homes or filing for bankruptcy. We need jobs that pay better, with work supports like affordable and quality child care, affordable housing, educational opportunities, and lower-cost medical care. These and other measures will go a long way toward bolstering our economy and cutting child and family poverty in half within ten years.

In the state legislature, I have voted to invest in our schools, including Colorado State University and Front Range Community College. I have voted to reduce taxes for small businesses. I have pushed to restore Colorado's Earned Income Tax Credit in order to reduce taxes for hardworking Coloradans. I have worked to build the strong infrastructure that attracts businesses and creates jobs, such as a modern multi-modal transportation system including the Front Range rail corridor. And I have supported developing the New Energy Economy based on clean energy technologies that will create tens of thousands of jobs while protecting Colorado's air, water, and wildlife.