Governor Jared Polis gives first ‘State of the State’
Just days after his inauguration, Governor Jared Polis delivered his first State of the State address from the Capitol.
In the 50-minute speech, the Governor laid out his plans for new legislation on a number of issues, including early education, health care, and clean energy.
He kicked off the ceremony preparing everyone for a big agenda.
Governor Polis said, “We are here to boldly forge a new path into the future. To make change for us, rather than against us.”
First on his list was a campaign promise he rallied thousands of supporters from.
“Our top priority this session is empowering every single Colorado community to offer free, full-day kindergarten while expanding free preschool to 8,000 Colorado children,” Polis said.
A big concern is funding for it, but Governor Polis says it’ll be coming from our booming economy.
“Our state’s strong economic growth means we have the power to do all of this right now without taking resources away from other areas of the budget,” he said.
Another campaign promise heard again today was renewable energy. Polis told the public, ” as governor my goal is to work with you, to lead the statewide transition to a clean sustainable, growing economy.”
That statement came with a quick response for thousands of Coloradans who fear for their jobs in the energy industry saying, “but as we embrace the renewable-energy future, we must also do right by all the men and women in today’s energy workforce.”
Polis’ ended his first State of the State was a tax reform that he hopes is different from the national example.
“We should not blindly copy president trump’s policies into our state tax code. we do not need to take the bad with the good.”
A notable issue not addressed is gun regulation, specifically the red flag bill. As KRDO has reported, legislation has been in the works, with plans to present it this session. It’s a bill that gives law enforcement the ability to take away guns from people found mentally unstable.
