Agriculture

Agriculture in Colorado — from cantaloupe farms in Otero County to buffalo ranches in Jackson County, wheat farms and feedlots on the eastern plains to ranches and vineyards on the Western Slope — has a rich heritage. But too often Governor Hickenlooper forgets that he represents rural Colorado as much as he represents Denver. The agricultural community needs policies that make sense, not higher energy costs, restrictive gun legislation, or a governor who thinks Colorado has “backwards thinking.”

Bob and Jill will audit the regulations currently enforced by the Department of Agriculture and rollback those regulations that put needless burdens on our state’s farmers and ranchers.

Capital Punishment

In Colorado, we employ a system of justice that determines the appropriate penalty for crimes, up to and including the death penalty in very rare cases. This is not a flippant issue, but Bob does believe capital punishment should be an option for our most heinous crimes. Regarding pending executions, Bob would review the evidence on a case-by-case basis. Such decisions are – and should be – among the most somber and emotionally trying decisions a governor has to make; but barring the revelation of any new or outstanding information, he would uphold the laws of the state of Colorado, and respect the difficult decision of the jury in seeing through the lawful and appropriate administration of justice.

Even though this is a difficult issue, voters elect a governor make decisions, and John Hickenlooper has failed to make a decision on the case of Nathan Dunlap.

Jobs & the Economy

Colorado has always been a great state, a state big enough for all our dreams. But over the last several years, finding a job — let alone a good job — has been hard. From 2010 to 2014, Colorado’s economic outlook has fallen from #2 to #22. Middle of the pack is not good enough for Colorado.

To create an environment where Colorado businesses can thrive, and where opportunity exists for all citizens, Bob and Jill will audit state government to remove unnecessary regulation, adopt priority-based budgeting to focus agencies on customer service, empower Colorado job creators, and hold the line on destructive legislation.

As governor, Bob will push for more robust vocational and technical training to help middle and high school students prepare for in-demand careers by giving them the skills to work in those fields, whether they decide to go to college or not.

Bob’s plan for A More Competitive Colorado outlines many of his specific proposals to get Colorado’s economy moving in the right direction.

Energy

Colorado’s abundance of natural resources can fuel the economic engine of not just the state, but the country. In order to do so, Colorado needs an “all the above” approach to state energy policy, where consumers choose which energy resources work best for them, rather than government choosing. At the same time, Colorado’s livelihood depends on clean air and clean water, which is why good science should drive the state’s energy policy to ensure Colorado is both utilizing its natural resources as well as preserving its natural beauty and quality of life.

Bob supports the continued safe, responsible development of natural gas and oil in order to create a stable foundation for Colorado’s economy and contribute to energy independence for the nation.

Education

Few things are as critical to the economy and to the betterment of society as a quality education. A great education allows children to pursue the American Dream. A Governor must promote quality education opportunities by establishing high educational standards.

To improve education outcomes in Colorado, Bob supports the creation of a Teachers’ Bill of Rights to give teachers more flexibility to teach students in the classroom and not just administrating a constant stream of tests.

Bob strongly supports charter schools, homeschooling, online schools, and other creative, proven options to empower parents to make the best education choices for their children.

Common Core and other one-size-fits-all federal approaches to education must be ended in Colorado, and Bob will opt-out of Common Core and replace it with high, meaningful Colorado standards for Colorado students.

Healthcare

The effects of Obamacare have hit hard in Colorado, where nearly 340,000 policies have been cancelled and premiums in some western Colorado counties became the highest in the nation. Governor Hickenlooper, who advocated for Obamacare before it even existed, signed a state exchange into law that has seen constant trouble.

Coloradans need a governor who will stand up for the patient’s right to choose. Citizens should be able to keep their insurance and their doctors, costs should be driven down with competition, and insurance policies should fit the individual, not the president’s mandates.

As governor, Bob will partner with other governors to form a pro-active coalition to stand up for Colorado and fight for healthcare policies that are centered on patients and doctors, not bureaucrats in Washington or Colorado.

Immigration

Colorado has long been an opportunity state. No wonder immigrants from across the globe call the state home. Even though immigration is largely a federal issue, governors still need to stand up for their state when the federal government doesn’t do its job on immigration issues. Colorado needs an immigration policy that provides a sufficient workforce for businesses, but also one that upholds the law.

When it comes to issues where the federal government is involved, like healthcare and immigration, Bob will work with a coalition of governors to stand up to Washington and protect our citizens.

Public Safety

The primary role and first responsibility of government is to protect its citizens, their lives and property. Keeping streets and neighborhoods safe requires strong, principled leadership that is unequivocally committed to simultaneously safeguarding the individual rights of the citizens, and ensuring justice is dealt to those who disregard the lives and property of others.

Law enforcement must be given the resources it needs to keep the citizens of Colorado safe, and common sense policies on sentencing and parole reform and administrative segregation must be pursued.

Second Amendment

Governor Hickenlooper signed restrictive gun legislation that must be repealed. He then lied to Colorado sheriffs about his cooperation with Mayor Michael Bloomberg. Colorado needs a governor who it can trust to stand up for Constitutional rights. It also needs a governor who will focus on mental health issues for those crying out in need of help as a way to resolve some of the underlying causes of violence.

Transportation and Infrastructure

In a modern economy, transportation is vital. Colorado must have the resources to maintain its infrastructure and make improvements necessary to ensure the smooth flow of people and goods throughout the state. A strong infrastructure serves as the backbone of a competitive economy, and budget priorities need to reflect that.

Taxes & Regulation

Lower tax rates encourage productivity and growth, while excessive regulation kills job creation. Tax rates must be kept low for Colorado individuals and businesses in order to create more jobs, more growth and more opportunity. State government must be audited in order to identify unnecessary regulations that can be eliminated, and if and where tax relief can be applied.

Veterans

Colorado has a long and proud military history. The Coloradans who bravely served our nation deserve the benefits and respect promised to them. Where the government has failed to fulfill this commitment, those responsible must be held accountable.

Bob has always supported Colorado’s veterans. He voted to increase the number of military personnel at Colorado installations and pushed Congress to build the new VA hospital in Denver. He will stand up vigorously for Colorado veterans if they ever receive less than the treatment they deserve.

Water

Water is a vital part of Colorado’s economy. While Colorado’s population has almost doubled since 1970, water storage has increased by only 15%. The state must increase water storage, including underground storage, to ensure that water needs can be met well into the future, without transmountain diversions that will leave our Western Slope high and dry. If Colorado doesn’t solve its water challenges now, they’ll be passed on to the next generation.

Bob realizes that Western Colorado is Colorado too and will lead an effort to create new water storage projects including NISP that increase Front Range water storage while keeping transmountain diversions off the table.

Resource: his website

There are only 28 days left before the 2014midterms, it’s important to get all your research done .. Vote for your family and the next generation … this candidate is definitely a states rights guy,  expects to go full out Romney and that is bad for even the most conservative of states.