Joel on the Issues

JOBS

My first priority will be jobs, jobs and more jobs. Giveaways for the very wealthy have turned the strongest economy in the nation into a serious decline.
Unemployment up, foreclosures up, new jobs down.
I'll put people first and that means a return to programs that create good paying jobs.

EDUCATION

Denver lags behind the rest of the state and Colorado lags behind the nation. Our schools are our future -- I want programs that teach the skills our children need in a changing world -- this means a greater emphasis on foreign languages, math and the sciences. I want a HOPE Scholarship program so that every child has the opportunity to work hard and go to college.

ENVIRONMENT

A healthy environment is critical to a healthy economy -- we need growth but responsible growth that does not sacrifice our future. We need to support mass transit and do more to bring children in our neighborhoods to the joys of the outdoors.

CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES

I'm pro-choice -- Discrimination in any form is simply wrong -- I want Colorado to be number one in job creation, number one is education number one in protecting the environment and number one in saying that in this state all are welcome and no one will be held back.

SENIORS

A tragic fire in a Nursing Home in our neighborhood on June 1 shows why we must do better by our Seniors.
In the State Senate I will fight and deliver change that will benefit seniors:

• Tougher nursing home regulations to prevent future tragedies.
• Better and more accessible health care for Seniors close to home.
• Better support services for our Veterans who have protected and served with such honor and to whom we owe so much.

We need to do everything possible to keep Seniors in their homes. Expansion of home health care will save money and make life better for our Seniors.

My father fought in World War II. I will do right by all the men and women such as my father who have done so much.

With your help we will make our State a better place - to live and raise a family and to retire and live in dignity.

THE ARTS

I will fight for and support the continued development of our downtown and community arts institutions and artists. Not only do "people not live by bread alone" but the arts create jobs and are important economic contributors to our state and cities.

JOEL SAVES LIVES

I haven't personally saved any lives, but the DUI bill I wrote and passed in 2008 has helped a lot. I created a funding stream that added four additional high visibility enforcement episodes in 2009 -- Fall Festivals, Thanksgiving, Super Bowl and Prom -- 4,105 additional impaired driving arrests. Colorado alcohol related driving deaths declined from 218 in 2008 to 191 in 2009 -- 27 of us staying alive. My bill wasn't the only reason, but it helped.

My stand on SB-191

SB191 ties teacher retention and pay to the performance of their students. View my stand on this very important issue.