| Background
Tracy grew up in Minnesota where she went to school to become a teacher. She enjoyed learning about education, psychology, and sociology. She moved to Wisconsin, where she taught social studies in middle school (junior high) before moving on to work in a juvenile institution because she could connect one-on-one with children more effectively than as a teacher. After leaving Wisconsin for Denver so she could get her Master's degree in Social Work from D.U., Tracy worked as a family and individual therapist for a handful of organizations around the Denver metro area.
Through it all, she recognized that people and families are trying as hard as they can to make it through this world. Some of them just need someone to help them take an extra step and care about them a little bit. Kids need someone to connect with; throwing them in jail doesn't solve problems, it often makes them worse in the long term.
Tracy went back to school to get her law degree at D.U. and graduated in 2000. Since then, she has worked with non-profits and small businesses to build capacity and put strategic planning/policies into place. Additionally, she has spent four years doing advocacy at the State Capitol.
Most recently, Tracy has used some of her time to write and help pass legislation at the State Capitol. Working with other interested parties, Tracy took the lead in crafting the Mental Health Family Advocate and Juvenile Justice bill (HB11-1193), co-sponsored by Sen. Boyd and Rep. Labuda. She also led the way on SB11-102, which will allow for voluntary contributions to mental health programs on Colorado tax returns. Her contributions in helping to pass these legislative vehicles were to educate current legislators about their impacts, including identifying unintended consequences. Thus, Tracy already has working relationships with legislators and their staffs.
Issues
Tracy and I discussed a number of issues, but the three that she prioritizes are health care, jobs & the economy, and transportation. We also talked about the fact that our education system is a critical component of good jobs and an economy that works for us.
Tracy believes that health care is all about prioritizing, not hurting, families and children. She plans to identify methods of integrating duplicated family services and boosting efficiencies by listening to the experts. Those experts happen to be the families using the services in addition to the people working in the industry.
Tracy knows that in order for children to survive and achieve the American Dream, they need jobs. In order for them to get good jobs, they need a quality education: it's the core. The interconnectedness of jobs, the economy, and education in 21st century Colorado is important to Tracy. She recognizes that banks need to start lending to small businesses and people that are ready and willing to expand and hire. Money needs to flow today in order for economic growth and increased employment to occur tomorrow.
Tracy is a user of and advocate for a multi-modal transportation system. She loves to use the bike paths through Westminster and Arvada, which provide residents with scenic ways of getting around their communities. She is a big believer in FasTracks and is adamant that the northern suburbs not be forgotten. Working with local leaders such as Mayor McNally and others, Tracy will work to ensure that the portion of FasTracks that will run through House District 29 will be completed on time and under budget. The success of the Westminster Center will be dependent on citizen access via buses and rail in addition to cars.
Tracy is a connector. She is not someone who is into partisan politics or interested in "we can'ts". She prefers building bridges and tackling tough problems with others. The critical task of a Representative is to understand peoples' values and needs. The Representative has to make sure they are where the district is. The way Tracy will accomplish this is by talking to voters and giving them the choice to refocus the priorities of Colorado in a way that works for all of its people.
Activism
So what can you do to help Tracy?
Visit Tracy's campaign website - sign up to volunteer and to contact Tracy directly
Visit Tracy's Facebook page - stay connected with Tracy and with other supporters
Donate at Tracy's ActBlue page - Let's get this campaign off to a strong start
Full disclosure: I am the Treasurer for House District 29 Democratic Party. |
