Why do you want to be a Colorado’s next governor?
I want to be Colorado’s next governor because I see Colorado’s leadership and economy heading in the same direction as Washington DC and I want to stop it and get it turned around. I see myself as the one candidate with the right experience and skills at the right time to do it.

What is the most pressing problem facing our state and how do you plan to address it as Governor?

Our statewide economy and unemployment is the greatest problem. Even though it is better than some, it should be even better. We should be the leader in a Clean Energy Economy starting with the expanded exploration and harvesting of our natural gas, other legacy energy, in addition to new energy.

What specifically would you do to make the state more business friendly?
I would start a proactive campaign making it clear that Colorado wants new businesses in our state while creating a more business friendly regulatory environment. I would expedite the discontinuation of the personal business property tax and explore a cutting edge trial of a FairTax structure in Colorado.

What do you think is the most egregious thing Governor Bill Ritter has done that you plan to change if elected in 2010?
His empowerment of the GOGCC to modify the oil and gas regulations and the resulting damage to the energy industry tops my list; though the mill levy freeze supported by the state supreme court is a close competitor.

Has the Republican Party failed to live up to its stated ideals in the past several years? If so, how?
Yes. At the state level the backing of Amendment C and the image of not being the standard bearer of fiscal conservatism was a failure to honor our platform. At the national level we fed at the public trough as badly as any liberal could have and members of our party continue to make foolish choices with their personal lives.

As Governor what specifically would you do to help the state recover from the recession?
Echoing the above, I would send a loud and clear message that Colorado will be the leader in energy development and small business growth. We will cut business taxes and create a regulatory environment that creates a more business friendly environment. That is what creates jobs.

What do you bring to the job of Governor that your primary opponents do not?
I bring a quantifiable track record of business development, administrative leadership, and managerial history unique to a person that has built companies, turned around failing offices, and started from scratch and sold a company in today’s difficult economy. There is a skill set and savvy that creates wealth where there was not previously.

What should the state’s role be in reducing the cost of healthcare? What specific things would you propose or support? What kind of laws would you oppose?
Again, a regulatory environment that pushes costs down is the states role. I would support tort reform, cost reductions in Medicare and Medicaid, and implementation of efficiencies that would reduce costs over the long haul. I would oppose any laws that would increase the cost of healthcare on business.

How are you going to deal with the state’s declining tax revenues? What specifically would you cut to balance the state budget? Would you raise taxes?
Assuming the solutions discussed above would actually stop the declining revenues we should not have the same problem as we have under our current governor. With that said, I would cut staffing first, programs second. I would not raise taxes across the board but I would consider the reduction in tax exemptions if the above solutions did not bring about the desired results.

Do you think there is a Constitutional right to abortion? Explain your answer? Would you vote to make abortion illegal if you could?
No. I do not see a right to any such services in our constitution nor anything even resembling such a practice. I recognize the current laws as they are.

Do you think government has an obligation to legally recognize same-sex relationships with a marriage license or some other form of official recognition? Explain your reasoning.
No. Marriage, and the corresponding privileges (not rights) that accompany it, are reserved for a man and a woman in marriage. Certain civil rights could be assigned to same sex relationships.

Do you think gun ownership in Colorado is over regulated or under regulated? Explain your answer.
I think it is regulated just right as it is.