Gail Schwartz
Colorado State Senate, District 5
Issues
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...what is important to me...
PROTECTING OUR REGION'S WATER
"Not one drop!" is my motto. I strongly oppose any further diversion of water from Western Colorado's rivers and streams to the Front Range. I understand that the Front Range population is growing, but so are we in rural Colorado. We must protect our water for our own agricultural, recreational and environmental needs. The future economic viability of the 5th Senate District absolutely depends on our water quality and quantity.
One of the greatest threats to Western and rural Colorado's water was Referendum A, otherwise known as the "Great Aurora Water Grab." Ref A was a blank check for water projects that would have inevitably required the diversion and storage of massive quantities of water from Western and rural Colorado to the Front Range. Fortunately, the voters of Colorado saw through the hype, and rejected that scheme overwhelmingly. Our senate district strongly and wisely defeated Ref A by a 4 to 1 margin. You can count on the fact that I will never vote to send our water to the Front Range.
RENEWABLE ENERGY
Renewable energy is not a fad, it is our future. It is also vital to achieving energy independence, which in turn is central to our national security. As your State Senator, I do everything possible to create economic incentives and develop policies that will unleash the potential that renewable energy holds for the counties of the 5th Senate District, including bio-fuels, bio-diesel, ethanol, wind and solar power.
Renewable energy holds tremendous potential for our agricultural communities. Agricultural byproducts can be used for the production and sale of bio-fuels. Everyday, the rising cost of oil makes solar and wind power more economically viable. To deny the promise of alternative energy, and stifle the opportunities that come with it, makes no sense. As your State Senator, I pledge that we will do better.
PRESERVING OUR AGRICULTURAL HERITAGE
If water is the lifeblood of rural Colorado, our agricultural communities are its soul. Yet today, many of these communities are struggling, as their water is being sold off the land, as land is being carved up for new subdivisions, and as today's farm economics take their toll. The motto, "No farms, no food," just about says it all. We must extend greater support to our agricultural communities with innovative policies and fiscal measures. Their survival, sustainability and success is inextricably linked to our own. I will do everything possible in the State Senate to help agriculture in Colorado flourish, and ensure every opportunity that those dedicated to the land are able to pass their family farms and ranches with pride from one generation to the next. I have assembled a group of experts on water and agricultural issues from the many counties of our district and throughout the state who will advise me on these important issues while serving in the State Senate.
EDUCATION & CHILDREN
I have devoted a good portion of my life to improving and expanding educational opportunities for all Coloradans. Education is the key to economic opportunity. Our future is tied directly to the quality of education we provide to our children. We cannot begin to fulfill the potential of our young people, nor our vision for the future of our State, unless we invest generously and thoughtfully in preschool, full day kindergarten through 12th grade, and higher education.
It starts with ensuring access to better schools. It means smaller class sizes so that our children get the attention they deserve. It means expanding curriculums, connectivity and on-line education so that rural Coloradans can go on to our trade schools, state colleges and universities prepared to compete in the global economy of the 21st century. And it means accountability to parents and taxpayers. Nothing is more important to Colorado's future.
As a former Commissioner on the Colorado Commission for Higher Education, as Vice-Chair of the CU Board of Regents, as a long time advocate for local schools, as the mother of 3 college students, and as your State Senator, you can count on me to make education a top priority. I am committed to improving our public schools and ensuring that Colorado's young people receive the best possible education in America. There is no reason for Colorado to settle for next to last in funding education yes, that's where we currently stand when our kids deserve the best. That means ALL of our children. For nearly 10 years I have been a strong proponent of access and equity in education for children from our rural communities.
AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE FOR ALL
Rural Coloradans should not have to settle for a quality of health care that is the least bit inferior to the care received by those who reside in more urban settings. Increased access to higher quality health care is one of my highest priorities. Whatever it takes -- improved hospitals, clinics, tele-medicine, and policies which encourage doctors and nurses to locate and build their practices in rural Colorado -- I am committed to bringing the highest quality health care to citizens in every corner of this district. Affordability is every bit as important as access, and I will fight to reduce the ever-increasing costs of health care and prescription drugs.
PROTECTING OUR ENVIRONMENT
There is no state that is prouder of its physical environment than Colorado, and it is why most of us are drawn here. The state whose "fruited plains" and "purple mountains majesty" inspired "America the Beautiful," deserves to be preserved and protected. The legacy of our public lands must be passed to future generations and I will work tirelessly in the State Senate to preserve it.
Unfortunately, today Colorado's lands are under tremendous pressure. Unrelenting growth, aggressive energy development, federal lands up for grabs, and roadless areas on the chopping block -- the pressure is unbelievable, and it's not letting up. We cannot be too vigilant in guarding against long-term negative consequences.
PROTECTING OUR AIR AND WATER QUALITY
Protecting the quality of the air we breathe and the water we drink is fundamental to the job of state government. Every Colorado citizen is entitled to expect that their state legislators will vote to protect these vital life-sustaining values. You have my word on it!
SPORTSMANS AND OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS
I am a strong advocate for hunters, fishermen and outdoor recreation. They are a fundamental part of our way of life in Western Colorado. Outdoor recreation is also a big part of our economy, and that's why I will work hard to protect fish and wildlife and their habitat, including protecting clean running streams and rivers. I will be a tireless advocate for the Division of Wildlife and for science-based decisions, not politics-based decisions, and will promote buying land to provide more protected hunting and fishing opportunities for our sportsmen.
IMMIGRATION
The Bush administration and the Republican-led Congress have failed to pass any meaningful immigration reform. This must change. Until it does, the states can only do so much to solve this federal issue. First and foremost, I believe that we must secure our borders and enforce our immigration laws. We must also do a much better job of employee verification and documentation, and enforcing sanctions against employers in violation of the law. Seasonal worker visas for those traditionally hired in our agricultural and recreational industries are another part of the solution.
We also need to be realistic about the 12 million immigrants already here. As we address and resolve these issues, we must treat individuals humanely and with dignity. For those that are hard working and filling unwanted jobs, paying taxes, learning English and not committing crimes, I agree with both President Bush and Senator Ken Salazar that we should create a reasonable path so they can earn legal status and potentially citizenship. I believe that the English language is what binds our Country together; it is how we communicate and do business, and it should remain the official language of our country.
