I recently wrote an opinion piece that ran in the Longmont Times-Call and Greeley Tribune.  I wanted to share it with you and get your feedback.  Please take a look at the following editorial then answer the poll question that appears at the bottom of this newsletter.  Thanks!

Working Across the Aisle to Get Things Done

The Colorado General Assembly plugs into Western values of personal responsibility, compassion and cooperation.

Unlike the scene in Washington, D.C., our success this year stemmed from the creation of a respectful environment fostered by both Democratic and Republican leadership.  We are not Washington, D.C., and we worked together to pass a balanced budget, fix PERA, reform K-12 education, make higher education accessible and affordable, expand renewable energy, create jobs, and much, much more.  Colorado was well served by its legislature in 2010.

The session ended over a month ago.  Since then, I've visited with a number of groups and constituents and many have made similar observations.  Their sentiments generally go something like this:

“If you asked me a year ago if the legislature would pass major, bipartisan legislation to help our colleges and universities … or to shore up the PERA retirement system … or to increase the use of natural gas in energy production … I would have said it couldn’t be done.”

Before the session started, I would have agreed with them.  We ended the prior session on a partisan note.  But we also learned from our mistakes and committed to making 2010 as bipartisan as possible.  Indeed, 2010 was successful because of our bipartisan work.

Of course, there were partisan moments and tough decisions and difficult votes. But we balanced our budget, passed good legislation and, when possible, worked together for the people of Colorado.

Coloradans are tired of partisanship taking over politics.  You see it every night when you flip on the TV.  Apparently, partisan bickering provides good entertainment value and drives ratings for television and radio.  Unfortunately, it doesn't help us develop constructive solutions to very real problems.

There will always be naysayers – especially in an election year.  But, partisan rhetoric is divisive, representing the kind of thinking Colorado voters have rejected in the past several elections.  Instead of building bridges to bring people together and solve problems, it divides our communities and encourage us to work against each other.

Building off the successes of the 2010 legislative session, we will continue to move forward in an inclusive way.  We must remember that we are ALL on the same team.  Yes, there are philosophical differences between Democrats and Republicans, but it’s time we learn to allow these differences to strengthen us, instead of weaken us.  That’s exactly what we did during this past legislative session.  And our bipartisan work was far better than any of the partisan measures brought forward on either side.

As the Senate President, I will continue to work to build bipartisan coalitions.  It is time we focus on “what is right” instead of “who is right.”  This is the least you can expect from your elected officials.

Poll Question

Would you rather see your elected officials work across party lines to solve problems, or stand up for their party and principles when casting votes?  To take the poll click here.