On October 3, 2007, I formally filed with the Colorado Secretary of State’s Office declaring my candidacy for Colorado State Representative to House District 6. As you are no doubt aware, Speaker of the House Andrew Romanoff is term-limited and although it will be extraordinarily difficult to imagine the legislature without Andrew, someone has to fill his shoes. I hope to be that someone.
As you will notice when reviewing my personal information, I have been involved with social and political issues for a long time. As a sociology major at NYU from 1966-1970, I was immersed in the social concerns of the times – the “war on poverty”, civil rights, anti-war activities, welfare system reform, health care reform, the start of the women’s movement, the gay rights movement, social and economic equality, etc. I have been an advocate of universal health care reform -- the single-payer option -- since 1968, when it was first envisioned as “socialized medicine”. It has amazed me that it has been almost 40 years since then and universal health care is still not a reality. I am, however, excited that the 208 commission, Governor Ritter, and the legislature plan to move forward on the first steps toward a fix for the state of Colorado. I am also hopeful that one of the leading democratic presidential contenders will be successful in enacting universal health care nationwide upon assuming office in 2009.
My daughters, Meredith and Leah, attended Denver Public Schools and the University of Colorado. I currently work at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Aurora. My husband Steve was a middle-school teacher in Brooklyn, New York in the 1960’s and was a substitute teacher for Denver Public Schools for the past two years. Education, whether at the K-12 level or higher education, is a priority for me. My 12 ½ years at CU have immersed me in the effects of the shortfall in funding that threaten to destroy public higher education within this state. I am knowledgeable in understanding the problems facing higher education including the constitutional funding constraints that have led to this dilemma.
My primary concern is with the individuals who are affected by the lack of funding for basic state services. It is easy to speak generically about improving K-12 education, or making higher education affordable, or saying that health care should be a “right” for every citizen. It is another thing to see the faces behind the numbers – the uninsured children, the lower and middle class students who can’t afford to go to college, the families that can’t find affordable housing, the at-risk children from troubled homes, the children and adults with disabilities, the seniors living on a fixed income, etc. All are individuals to me and deserve respect, understanding, and help if they need it. I want to make sure those services are funded at sustainable levels and available to all those who ask.
Please click on the issues tab to see what Audrey holds dear.
Dear Neighbors,