BY SUE SCHAFER
State Representative, House District 24
Hello, Citizens of Wheat Ridge and Edgewater. I write you about exciting things happening in the Colorado Legislature and how honored I am to serve as your State Representative!
You can always contact me at 303-866-5522, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or www.sueschafer.com. I am your voice and your vote at the State Capitol so please send me your opinions on state matters!
First, many legislative district borders changed. Wheat Ridge and Edgewater, however, will still be within House District 24 with me as your Representative and Senator Cheri Jahn as your Senator until January 2013. See the new map at www.sueschafer.com/newhd24map.html. In January 2013 Senator Jahn will move to a new district and we will have a new Senator. I will stay in House District 24 working to earn your confidence to be re-elected in November, 2012.
Second, many of you have contacted me saying that jobs and the economy are the #1 priority. If you, family members, friends or neighbors are looking for jobs I expect new laws will help put people back to work and put food on the table. I pledge to work in a bipartisan manner to find solutions to our jobs and economic challenges.
For example, I believe Colorado companies and Coloradoans should be prioritized for state contract work which would create good jobs. We must continue to build the new energy economy to provide jobs to thousands of young and middle aged people who need training and employment in this growth industry, we must reduce the amount of red tape and regulations on small businesses so we unleash entrepreneurial drive and we must stop cutting public education funding which is counterproductive to having a 21st century workforce.
In Jefferson County we are fortunate to be an education, research and innovation leader with the Colorado School of Mines, the National Renewable Energy Lab, and the collaboration between CU, CSU and UNC for jobs in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
With FasTracks, the new St. Anthony’s, Red Rocks Community College, Warren Technical High School, and Jefferson County Schools we are poised to become a prosperous county and state. Other current growth areas are health and elder care, education, technical trades, bioscience, and tourism.
Another state priority is better accountability and openness about how government money is spent. For example, we will debate the results of the enterprise zones. The zones receive tax breaks with questionable results. At one time LoDo Denver was a depressed area and became an enterprise zone; today LoDo is a thriving business district. What is this zone’s responsibility for paying its fair share of taxes for public services such as safe highways, bridges, and world-class public education?
My first public town hall meeting with Senator Cheri Jahn will be Feb. 1, at 6:00 p.m. at the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center. Hope to see you there!
Contact Rep. Sue Schafer at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 303-866-5522, or www.sueschafer.com