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Jared Polis on Government Reform

 

 


Most important thing is to protect our waterways and rights

Water is life in Colorado and the west; it's as simple as that. But we're at a crossroads. The most important thing we can do for water security is protect our waterways and rights. Hotter, drier conditions have strained our resources in a time when demand continues to grow. Our rivers and streams aren't just life sources for Colorado, but for the entire American West. We must continue to fight for our rights and lead the way to a sustainable future.
Source: 2023 State of the State Address to the Colorado legislature , Jan 17, 2023

More limits on campaign donations; more donor disclosure

Q: Require political ads to disclose their largest funders?

Jared Polis (D): Yes. Co-sponsored DISCLOSE Act requiring full disclosure of independent expenditures.

Walker Stapleton (R): Unknown.

Q: Support Citizens United decision, allowing unlimited political donations from corporations and unions?

Jared Polis (D): No. Has consistently sought to get campaign finance reform bills through Congress.

Walker Stapleton (R): Unknown.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Colorado Governor race , Oct 9, 2018

Investigate voter suppression; prohibit gerrymandering

Q: Support the 2 ballot measures to amend the Colorado constitution to explicitly prohibit gerrymandering?

Jared Polis (D): Yes. Strongly supports.

Q: Voting Rights: Support stricter voting rules such as voter ID requirements or reduced registration times, even if they prevent some people from voting?

Polis: No. Voted to restore voting rights protections. Signed letter to Trump condemning stricter voter rules & asking to investigate voter suppression.

Walker Stapleton (R): Unknown on both.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Colorado Governor race , Oct 9, 2018

Require Internet disclosure of all earmarks.

Polis signed H.R.5258& S.3335

    The website shall be comprised of a database including the following information, in searchable format, for each earmark:
  1. The fiscal year in which the item would be funded.
  2. The number of the bill or joint resolution for which the request is made, if available.
  3. The amount of the initial request made by the Member of Congress.
  4. The amount approved by the committee of jurisdiction.
  5. The amount carried in the bill or joint resolution (or accompanying report) as passed.
  6. The name of the department or agency, and the account or program, through which the item will be funded.
  7. The name and the State or district of the Member of Congress who made the request.
  8. The name and address of the intended recipient.
  9. The type of organization (public, private nonprofit, or private for profit entity) of the intended recipient.
  10. The project name, description, and estimated completion date.
  11. A justification of the benefit to taxpayers.
  12. Whether the request is for a continuing project and if so, when funds were first appropriated for such project.
  13. A description, if applicable, of all non-Federal sources of funding.
  14. Its current status in the legislative process
Source: Earmark Transparency Act 10-HR5258 on May 11, 2010

Member of House Rules Committee.

Polis is a member of the House Rules Committee

The House Committee on Rules is more commonly known as the Rules Committee.Rather than being responsible for a specific area of policy, as most other committees are, it is in charge of determining under what rule other bills will come to the floor. As such, it is one of the most powerful committees, and often described as `an arm of the leadership` and as the `traffic cop of Congress.` A rule is a simple resolution of the House of Representatives to permit the immediate consideration of a legislative measure, notwithstanding the usual order of business, and to prescribe conditions for its debate and amendment.

When a bill is reported out of one of the other committees, it does not go straight to the House floor, because the House, unlike the Senate, does not have unlimited debate and discussion on a bill. Instead, what may be said and done to a bill is strictly limited. This limitation is performed by the Rules Committee.

Source: U.S. House of Representatives website, www.house.gov 11-HC-RC on Feb 3, 2011

Ban stock trading based on Congressional insider knowledge.

Polis co-sponsored STOCK Act

Congressional Summary:Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge Act (STOCK Act): Amends the Securities Exchange Act and the Commodity Exchange Act to prohibit purchase or sale of either securities or commodities by a person in possession of material nonpublic information regarding pending or prospective legislative action.

Bill explanation (ProCon.org, `Insider Trading by Congress`, Feb. 3, 2012):

Source: H1148/S1871 11-S1871 on Nov 15, 2011

Require full disclosure of independent campaign expenditures.

Polis co-sponsored DISCLOSE Act

Congressional Summary:

Wikipedia & OnTheIssue Summary: