Daniel’s Candidate Survey in the Denver Post
Colorado is facing the worst budget gap it's experienced since the Great Depression. In light of that, do you agree with those who want to repeal the just-passed laws that eliminate a variety of tax exemptions and which helped balance the state budget? Why or Why not?
Daniel Kagan: What other less candid candidates won't tell you is that there is no free lunch. We are going to have to further limit education spending. Savings can also be made by treating, rather than imprisoning, non-violent people who simply possess drugs. My bill (HB 1330) will also reduce medical costs by exposing prices of medical care to the public gaze: price competition works!
Labor unions in the state have had limited success under a Democratic governor and Democratic-controlled legislature. What would you do to support or oppose unions in Colorado if elected?
Daniel Kagan: The days of irresponsible, obstreperous unions are long gone. Today, companies that welcome collective bargaining benefit by it. The most heavily unionized airline is Southwest, which is also the most profitable, the most liked by the public, and the best value airline in America. That's largely because the company welcomes employees to the table. I'll encourage business to welcome unions.
Democrats voted to increase auto registration costs and late fees by $225 million a year for three years for bridge safety and road repairs, the first new funding for transportation in almost two decades. The legislation was opposed by all but one Republican. Do you support the fee increases under “FASTER,” as the legislation is called, and if not, how would you find a new source of transportation funding?
Daniel Kagan: Because of the registration fee changes, we're finally repairing roads and bridges that had been decaying for decades and becoming ever more dangerous. Fixing them has been the responsible thing to do. The late fees, I believe, were wrong and needed adjustment. But the repair program overall is an example of responsible government making hard choices in the public interest.
Briefly outline three of the biggest concerns in your legislative district.
Daniel Kagan: My constituents want good jobs, with decent pay and benefits, which are in too short supply right now. We also want access to affordable, quality health care, and my House Bill 1330 will help provide that, by making health care prices public, so price competition will drive prices down. Thirdly, we want quality public education for our children. Our kids deserve that.
If you could repeal one law, which one would it be?
Daniel Kagan: I would repeal the requirement that budget projections be drawn up by two different government agencies, one in the legislature, and one in the governor's office. These two agencies do the same exact economic analysis (and they do it well). But we don't need two sets of projections. We can't afford that kind of redundancy in this difficult climate.
Three ballot measures before voters in November - Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 - would slash state and local taxes by several billion dollars and dramatically limit the ability of state and local governments to borrow money. Do you support any or all of these initiatives? Explain.
Daniel Kagan: I support none of the so-called "Bad Three" ballot measures. They are an example of the all-too frequent tendency to engage in wishful thinking, that if only we eliminate taxes, all will be well. But all would not be well. We'd lose public education, public safety, prisons, courts, transportation infrastructure, and other hallmarks of a civilized society. We have to pay our way - unfortunately.
If you would like to post a video response to the question, "What are the chief differences between you and your primary opponent?" You may do so here.
My opponent believes in magical thinking, whereas I am a realist. My opponent believes that if she says "yes" to any request for a tax break, no matter how outlandish or unfair, not only will she become a very popular politician, but we, as a society, will continue to enjoy good schools, health care, and a great job market. If only life were that easy. We have to decide, as a state, what we want out of government, and how we can pay for it. Magical belief in a free lunch will not get us there.
Other than faith, family and friends, name three things you couldn't live without?
Daniel Kagan: I couldn't live without food, shelter and medical care. Nobody can, and in a civilized, decent society, nobody who is willing to work hard should want for these three basics of life.
Complete this sentence. Most people are surprised to find out that I ...
Daniel Kagan: Despite my funny accent, have been privileged to live in America for more than thirty years.
Who is your favorite non-legislative, non federal politician within your district and why?
Daniel Kagan: John Hickenlooper. He's executive, not legislative, so he qualifies, and I like him because of his rare combination of charm, competence, intelligence and empathy. You don't often see all those qualities in one person, but our mayor has them, all of them, in spades.
Daniel Kagan: What other less candid candidates won't tell you is that there is no free lunch. We are going to have to further limit education spending. Savings can also be made by treating, rather than imprisoning, non-violent people who simply possess drugs. My bill (HB 1330) will also reduce medical costs by exposing prices of medical care to the public gaze: price competition works!
Labor unions in the state have had limited success under a Democratic governor and Democratic-controlled legislature. What would you do to support or oppose unions in Colorado if elected?
Daniel Kagan: The days of irresponsible, obstreperous unions are long gone. Today, companies that welcome collective bargaining benefit by it. The most heavily unionized airline is Southwest, which is also the most profitable, the most liked by the public, and the best value airline in America. That's largely because the company welcomes employees to the table. I'll encourage business to welcome unions.
Democrats voted to increase auto registration costs and late fees by $225 million a year for three years for bridge safety and road repairs, the first new funding for transportation in almost two decades. The legislation was opposed by all but one Republican. Do you support the fee increases under “FASTER,” as the legislation is called, and if not, how would you find a new source of transportation funding?
Daniel Kagan: Because of the registration fee changes, we're finally repairing roads and bridges that had been decaying for decades and becoming ever more dangerous. Fixing them has been the responsible thing to do. The late fees, I believe, were wrong and needed adjustment. But the repair program overall is an example of responsible government making hard choices in the public interest.
Briefly outline three of the biggest concerns in your legislative district.
Daniel Kagan: My constituents want good jobs, with decent pay and benefits, which are in too short supply right now. We also want access to affordable, quality health care, and my House Bill 1330 will help provide that, by making health care prices public, so price competition will drive prices down. Thirdly, we want quality public education for our children. Our kids deserve that.
If you could repeal one law, which one would it be?
Daniel Kagan: I would repeal the requirement that budget projections be drawn up by two different government agencies, one in the legislature, and one in the governor's office. These two agencies do the same exact economic analysis (and they do it well). But we don't need two sets of projections. We can't afford that kind of redundancy in this difficult climate.
Three ballot measures before voters in November - Amendments 60 and 61 and Proposition 101 - would slash state and local taxes by several billion dollars and dramatically limit the ability of state and local governments to borrow money. Do you support any or all of these initiatives? Explain.
Daniel Kagan: I support none of the so-called "Bad Three" ballot measures. They are an example of the all-too frequent tendency to engage in wishful thinking, that if only we eliminate taxes, all will be well. But all would not be well. We'd lose public education, public safety, prisons, courts, transportation infrastructure, and other hallmarks of a civilized society. We have to pay our way - unfortunately.
If you would like to post a video response to the question, "What are the chief differences between you and your primary opponent?" You may do so here.
My opponent believes in magical thinking, whereas I am a realist. My opponent believes that if she says "yes" to any request for a tax break, no matter how outlandish or unfair, not only will she become a very popular politician, but we, as a society, will continue to enjoy good schools, health care, and a great job market. If only life were that easy. We have to decide, as a state, what we want out of government, and how we can pay for it. Magical belief in a free lunch will not get us there.
Other than faith, family and friends, name three things you couldn't live without?
Daniel Kagan: I couldn't live without food, shelter and medical care. Nobody can, and in a civilized, decent society, nobody who is willing to work hard should want for these three basics of life.
Complete this sentence. Most people are surprised to find out that I ...
Daniel Kagan: Despite my funny accent, have been privileged to live in America for more than thirty years.
Who is your favorite non-legislative, non federal politician within your district and why?
Daniel Kagan: John Hickenlooper. He's executive, not legislative, so he qualifies, and I like him because of his rare combination of charm, competence, intelligence and empathy. You don't often see all those qualities in one person, but our mayor has them, all of them, in spades.