Issue Position: Jobs and the Economy
Issue Position
*Simplify the tax code for small businesses and create a fast track to start new businesses.
*Invest in Colorado's renewable energy economy to create new, good-paying jobs.
*Encourage retirement savings with a Colorado-wide, optional retirement plan.
*Expand access to higher education for responsible students without creating crippling loan debt.
*Increase financing and funding tools to develop more affordable housing.
We need an economy here in Colorado that works for everyone. Where people who work hard and play by the rules can get ahead. Where someone willing to work full-time can afford to take care of their family. While we need to prevent people from taking advantage of the system, it's important to Colorado's long-term economic security that we come together to help those still struggling from the recession to get back on their feet. We need to make sure that the rising tide of economic prosperity here in Colorado lifts all boats.
Small businesses are the engine of our economy. Having handled small business policy for Ken Salazar in the United States Senate, I know there's more we can do to support them here in Colorado. We need to simplify the tax code for small businesses and crack down on predatory credit card and loan companies that overcharge them. We can create a fast track process for new business startups and do more to encourage companies that start in Colorado to grow here and stay here.
We also need to make it easier for people to save for retirement with a universal, optional retirement plan. Nearly one million Coloradans don't participate in their workplace retirement plans, and 765,000 Coloradans don't even have access to a retirement program at work--meaning that even if they wanted to participate they couldn't. Saving makes it far more likely that someone will be independent and self-sufficient in retirement. Those who don't save are more likely to live in poverty, depending on family or public assistance to make ends meet.
Our Colorado economy is growing strong, and we can make sure that it grows in ways that benefit all Coloradans.
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