Jared Polis in 2019 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Corporations:
Remove deductions exploited by corporations at our expense
Our tax code gives too much power to the special interests who can afford expensive lobbyists, while forcing ordinary families to pay more. As legislators, I know that many of you find these tax giveaways offensive.
Unlike budget expenditures, which you vote on every year, these tax expenditures are on autopilot, some since the 1930s. We need a tax code that reflects today's realities rather than yesterday's distortions.
Let people keep more of their hard-earned money rather than give it away to special interests.The Legislature and the Auditor have gotten off to a good start by closely examining which deductions are benefiting our economy, and
which are being exploited by corporations at Coloradans' expense. I want to work with you to close these loopholes and pass the savings on to families by lowering the income tax rate.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Colorado legislature
Jan 10, 2019
On Education:
Started two public charter schools for at-risk youth
We all agree that every child deserves a great education. One of the great joys of my life was starting the New America School and the Academy of Urban Learning--public charter schools for at-risk youth--and seeing how kids who had fallen through
the cracks in our education system could take off and go on to achieve amazing things once they were given the opportunity.It's time for us to build a Colorado education system where every single child--regardless of their zip code--gets a great
education that prepares them for a bright future. And it begins with preschool and kindergarten. Our top priority this session is empowering every single Colorado community to offer free, full-day kindergarten, while expanding free preschool to
8,000 more Colorado children.
"Free Kindergarten Now" for all children will save taxpayer money in the long run by increasing incomes and decreasing the achievement gap. It will strengthen families, our communities, and our economy.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Colorado legislature
Jan 10, 2019
On Energy & Oil:
Climate change threatens decreased snowpack for ski industry
Climate change is a scientific reality. It's real. There's no pretending otherwise for farmers and ranchers who are facing historic water shortages. There's no pretending otherwise for the 46,000 women and men who work in Colorado's ski industry and
see their jobs threatened by decreased snowpack. And there will be no pretending otherwise in this administration. We're going to confront this challenge head-on--not only because we must, but because we want to take advantage of the huge
opportunities associated with being a leader in the growing green-energy economy.I launched my campaign for Governor at an all-solar coffee-roasting small business, just 10 miles from the Vestas Wind Turbine factory. I did so to demonstrate that
our commitment to reaching 100% renewable energy by 2040 is not just about climate change. It's about saving money for consumers with cheaper energy, and it's about making sure the good-paying green jobs of the future are created right here in Colorado.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Colorado legislature
Jan 10, 2019
On Families & Children:
Establish statewide paid family and medical leave program
We must work to make Colorado as family-friendly as possible. As a first step, I will be including in our budget package a formal request to provide paid parental leave for all state employees. And together, we should take comprehensive action.
It's time to finally establish a paid family and medical leave program in Colorado--so that employees aren't having to choose between keeping their paycheck and caring for their child, a sick relative, an aging parent, or themselves.
Look, if all this were easy, it would have been done already. Progress is always hard, and overcoming these challenges will be a long journey.
But the people of Colorado need and deserve nothing less, and our work begins now.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Colorado legislature
Jan 10, 2019
On Tax Reform:
Reduces taxes for the hardworking, instead of special breaks
Despite all of our progress, far too many people are either barely getting by, or falling behind. Our administration's mission and mandate from the voters begins with tackling the everyday challenges that Coloradans face because of the rising
costs of living:- Providing every single child with quality early education;
- Finally lowering the outrageous cost of health care;
- Creating good-paying jobs in the clean-energy sector that can never be outsourced; and
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Achieving true tax reform that reduces taxes for hardworking Coloradans instead of giving breaks to special interests while forcing families to pay more.
Together, we're going to build an economy where Coloradans from all walks
of life don't just get by, but thrive. I want to say: our administration will work tirelessly to make our state work better for you--so that you can earn a good living and share in our special way of life.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Colorado legislature
Jan 10, 2019
On Technology:
Upgrade antiquated roads & limited public transit options
To keep our economy moving in the right direction, we must upgrade our antiquated roads and highways and limited public transit options. They are simply not equipped to sustain a growing 21st-century economy. Thanks to the bipartisan commitment made
last year to dedicate additional funds to transportation, we have hundreds of millions of dollars to improve our roads over the next few years. That's a strong foundation to work from but it's not enough. We must come together around a bipartisan
funding mechanism for our future transportation needs that the voters of this state will accept.We also need to expand access to broadband. We'll continue the good work of the Hickenlooper administration in supporting the creation of Strategic
Regional Broadband plans to make high-speed internet access a reality across our entire state. In the 21st-century economy, broadband is critical infrastructure that EVERYONE must have access to. Let's work together to give it to them.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Colorado legislature
Jan 10, 2019
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2019