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I represent Colorado’s 13th House District in the Colorado legislature. House District 13 reaches from the northeast plains of Boulder County to the continental divide in western Clear Creek, Gilpin and Boulder Counties. It is a wonderful blend of rural and urban, mountains and plains. From major research institutions to quaint mountain towns, horse farms to hard rock mines, fourteen thousand foot peaks to white water, the land and people truly reflect the diversity of Colorado.
I am running for reelection to continue working on the issues that affect families throughout my district. We need to strengthen funding options for education at all levels so our children and young adults have the opportunity to succeed in today's competitive environment. We must continue working towards more renewable energy and greater energy efficiency to cut down on global warming polution, to reduce the chances of coal mine accidents and Deepwater Horizon oil gushers, and to keep our air clean and healthy. And we must continue making our government as efficient as possible.
Companies that create good jobs are looking for the best educated workforce they can find, and they are looking for an efficient transportation and communications infrastructure. They are looking for a location that will help attract and retain well-qualified employees. When I meet with companies in Boulder County, they tell me their employees are attracted by the environment, good public services and good schools. We cannot offer those amenities if we starve the public sector.
I believe that Colorado should continue investing in green industries from energy efficiency to renewable energy. We need to focus on biotechnology and telecommunications, the knowledge industries at which we already excel, and basic scientific research. I will continue working to create a multi-modal transportation system that focuses on mobility rather than miles of asphalt. I will continue working to make our criminal sentencing policies more cost-effective, more sensible and more effective at securing public safety. I will work to build our capacity to offer mental health and treatment for substance abuse, to keep young people out of the justice system through community-based alternatives, and to support families the need help raising their children and getting them an appropriate education. And, I will be working towards making government more functional, accessible and responsive to citizens.
During the 2010 legislative session I worked hard on budget issues, renewable energy, health care and public safety. As Colorado faces unprecedented reductions in tax revenues, I worked to protect families as much as possible from the effects of budget cuts, preserve funding for public education at all levels, and prioritize our spending to keep Colorado's economy strong.
You can read about some of the legislation I have sponsored during my four years in office by clicking on the 2010 Legislative Session and Previous Sessions buttons to the left. I hope you believe my service in office has made a difference.
I would be honored to continue representing you during 2011 and 2012.
Claire