Education

Education is still the key to a bright future. Unfortunately, that key is not always in the hands of all of our children depending on where they live and their family’s socioeconomic status. I will fight for better funding for our schools in HD 40 and advocate for improving our overall education outcomes. Our children need to be prepared for the high paying jobs of today and the emerging industries of tomorrow. I will advocate for more entrepreneurial programs and apprenticeship programs in our schools.

Business & Economy

Colorado has been one of the top business markets in the country for several years, but the cost of doing business has increased tremendously. The federal government has created a system that favors large corporations. Here in Colorado, we need an advocate for small local businesses as well as someone who will commit to supporting minority & women-owned businesses. As a minority business woman I will be that champion.

Housing

Housing is the primary crisis facing Coloradans these days. Through state incentives and developer partnerships, I believe we can increase and continue to grow our affordable housing stock. No American let alone Coloradoan should be spending more than 30% of their income on housing. I will help develop legislation that moves us toward rent caps and housing programs for low-income and fixed-income residents.

transportation

As the Metro area grows in every direction, it is important that our transportation system grows with it. I believe we must be good stewards of our planet by continuing to invest in multi-model transportation options and making sure they are convenient enough to encourage citizens to use them daily. Affordable fares and ease of access are key. Our current system favors the park-and-ride model which is problematic for the whole as we need models that actually allow residents public transportation that extends from home to work and back.

healthcare

The healthcare system in America seems to do more harm to families than it does to heal them. Healthcare is a human right that everyone should be entitled to. Our current legislators have led the charge nationally to cut costs in Colorado by capping prescription drug costs during the previous legislative session. Democrats capped the cost of insulin and are trying to pass a Colorado public option that will make healthcare access a reality for many of the now uninsured. Continuing to look at ways to regulate pharmaceutical prices will offer tremendous relief to many and save lives. A true public option healthcare plan, competitive with private insurance will assist in moving our state and nation towards a Universal Healthcare system that has both citizen and bi-partisan support.

guns

The families of Aurora experienced one of the most horrific acts of violence on record. We have yet to recover from this tragedy and as we slowly heal, we are plagued by mass shootings that have become commonplace in Colorado and across the globe. We need a government bold enough to enact common sense laws that keep guns out of the hands of dangerous people and a better tracking system for gun possession. A vote for Naquetta Ricks is a vote for the changes that will increase public safety.

environment

Aurora is home to many beautiful parks and natural open spaces. We house two of our state’s most important natural resources, The Cherry Creek Dam and the Aurora Reservoir. Along with supplying water to our residents and businesses, these areas serve as pockets of serenity where we are able to enjoy and connect with nature. Industrial and developmental growth threatens the future of safe drinking water putting our water resources at risk. I will work tirelessly fighting for sustainable growth, protecting our environment and the precious resources we all depend on.

CRIMINAL & SOCIAL JUSTICE

The 13th Amendment was written to continue slave labor via prison populations. The criminal justice system remains historically biased. Today prisoners and prison labor have been turned into commodities via the for-profit prison industrial complex. We need to divest from private prisons and work to promote true restorative justice as well as end the school-to-prison pipeline and the war on poverty aka the war on drugs. This means immediately expunging all marijuana offenses and incorporating those formerly charged into this industry where others are currently profiting by the billions annually. The problem within our juvenile justice system sadly often begins with Student Resource Officers funneling students into the prison pipeline. This has to be addressed and then eliminated. I am opposed to any law enforcement detail that policies our students. The presence of police in schools should be for safety and security, not the expectation of contact with children to issue tickets and/or citations. The psychological effects of the expectation of criminalizing students have yet to be studied. Our children need mental health professionals, parent-staffed campus liaisons, and social workers that are equipped to handle and treat behavior issues instead of criminalizing students. When we prevent criminalization in the early stages of life, we provide better outcomes overall.