The Economy
When it comes to jobs and the economy, Katie’s not about to raise taxes on working families. Lower taxes and fewer bureacratic hoops for businesses are essential qualifications for Colorado’s economy to thrive. Businesses want to create jobs here—we need to make it as hassle-free as possible. The current state legislature has watched over the greatest increase in property taxes in a generation. Seniors, especially considering that many are on fixed incomes, are especially hard hit. Katie wants to:

• Streamline the process for everyday individuals to form a company—without a lot of red tape.
• Hold RTD accountable to the voters of Colorado. Eastern Boulder County needs a FasTracks designed to support job growth and a vibrant economic development effort.

Protecting Our Kids and Communities
The first job of government is to make sure that the most vulnerable in our community—our children—are protected. Laws need to be strengthened to keep them safe from sexual predators and violent criminals. In the past few years, our state legislators have actually pushed to weaken existing laws just to save money.

• The first step: As your state Senator, the first piece of legislation Katie will propose is Jessica's Law. This measure states that sexual predators of children under the age of 12 will go to jail for at least 25 years.

Providing Colorado Students with a World-Class Education
A second priority of government should be to give our children a world-class education. In Colorado, too many kids don't get one. To be competitive in a global economy, our students need to be on par with students from other parts of the world, not just other parts of the country. Katie will work for change by pushing bold education reforms that empower Colorado kids to compete in the new economy.

Protecting Open Spaces
Third, as your Senator, Katie will work to protect the open spaces and special places that help define Colorado. She has a plan that would invest $10 million in oil and gas royalties into a pro active program that will protect thousands of acres of open space and build a new generation of parks and green space in urban and suburban areas. We can keep Colorado green and beautiful, even as we grow together, with a little pro-active stewardship-and Katie has a plan to get us there.

Defending Small Businesses and Working Families
As your Senator, Katie will be an advocate for small business and lower taxes on working families. The current legislature has runup the largest property tax increase in a generation. We were told that the property tax increase would only cost taxpayers 40 million dollars. In actuality, it will cost taxpayers 140 million dollars each and every year. Katie wants to give that extra 100 million dollars back to you by proposing a five-fold increase in the business personal property tax exemption. She will push to expand the homestead tax exemption for seniors, many of whom are on fixed incomes. And she will restore the cap on property taxes that was so recently repealed. Our property taxes shouldn't increase just because the house next door sold for a little more. As your Senator, Katie will fight to restore this cap on property taxes.