Gubernatorial candidate Bill Ritter today unveiled his comprehensive policy agenda, a 52-page book titled "The Colorado Promise," his blueprint for establishing Colorado as a national leader in education, health care, jobs, renewable energy, and more.
The book is a compilation of twenty-one position papers and action items. Many have been released separately over the past six months, and the book includes several new ones as well, including plans for statewide Broadband Internet Access, Homeland Security, and Higher Education.
"Fulfilling the Colorado Promise means taking action and solving problems," Ritter said. "It means promising that we will hand over to our children and grandchildren a better Colorado. It means having a vision, providing strong and responsible leadership, and building partnerships that set aside partisan politics and put Colorado's common interests first. It also means creating opportunities for all Coloradans."
"Coupled with my Colorado Opportunity Pledge, 'The Colorado Promise' is my roadmap for Colorado’s future in the 21st century. These ideas are ambitious, and they will require common sense, cooperation and compromise. I grew up in a big family on a small farm where I learned the value of a hard-earned dollar. I understand that taxpayer dollars must be invested wisely and prudently, and that – unlike in Washington – our state must always balance its budget. That philosophy of fiscal responsibility and fiscal restraint is at the core of my promise to Colorado."
A summary of Ritter's top proposals:
EDUCATION: Ritter plans to increase access to early childhood education, improve K-12 student learning, and reduce high school drop-out rates. He intends to provide businesses with the nation's best-educated, home-grown workforce. The "Colorado Promise" agenda calls for:
- Creating a statewide Child Care Report Card.
- Working with school districts to develop teacher cadet programs.
- Establishing a 'Principal Institute.'
- Supporting pay-for-performance and improving teacher recruitment.
- Creating a low-interest home loan program for teachers.
- Streamlining accountability programs.
- Doubling the production of technical certificates and college degrees within 10 years.
HEALTH CARE: With 788,000 Coloradans lacking health insurance, ending this crisis will dominate much of the first year of his administration by:
- Convening all stakeholders and establishing a "Colorado Health Plan," with legislation to be introduced in the 2008 session of the General Assembly. The goal: to improve health-care access, affordability, and quality.
- Taking Colorado from among the worst 10 states for child immunizations to the top 10 within two years.
- Establishing a Small Business Health Insurance Team.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT & JOB GROWTH: A strong, vibrant economy is essential for Colorado to grow and prosper. Ritter's "Colorado Promise" calls for:
- Establishing five regional economic development plans for the Eastern Plains, Western Slope, San Luis Valley, mountain resorts and Front Range, and integrating them with a statewide plan.
- Creating a Colorado Jobs Cabinet and a Governor's Council on Innovation.
- Establishing a Broadband Internet Access Infrastructure Council, and ensuring that broadband Internet access is available to all Coloradans.
NEW ENERGY ECONOMY: Colorado is blessed with abundant renewable and traditional energy sources. The "Colorado Promise" agenda calls for establishing the state as a national leader in a New Energy Economy.
TRANSPORTATION: Ritter's "Colorado Promise" calls for:
- Establishing a Transportation Finance and Implementation Panel within my first 90 days in office.
- Hosting a statewide Transportation Summit.
FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY & THE STATE BUDGET: The "Colorado Promise" calls for providing a more modern and smarter state government by:
- Conducting top-to-bottom performance and financial audits that have generated savings of as much as 6 percent in other states.
- Maximizing federal funding.
- Making investments today that will save more later.
ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: Ritter's "Colorado Promise" calls for enacting responsible solutions and pressuring Washington D.C. to provide the nation with comprehensive immigration reform.
THE ENVIRONMENT: As a stubborn steward of Colorado's land, air and water, Ritter's "Colorado Promise" places a heavy emphasis on protection and conservation.
WATER: Ritter's "Colorado Promise" lays out plans for a responsible mix of conservation, re-use, efficiency, cooperation, and, upgraded and new water storage when necessary.
The "Colorado Promise" book is posted on the campaign website, www.ritterforgovernor.com.
Click here to download a PDF version of "The Colorado Promise." Hard copies also are available by e-mailing info@ritterforgovernor.com or calling 303.534.0660.
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