Kamala Harris did not have Jared Polis in mind when she was searching for a running mate, as he humorously described himself as “a 49-year-old balding gay Jew from Boulder, Colorado.” Despite this, Polis, the first openly gay governor in the U.S., has worked hard to establish a unique national political image. Since becoming governor in 2018, he has given numerous interviews, used humor to address Covid-19 precautions, and engaged with social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube. Polis also holds the position of chair of the National Governors Association, where he aims to focus on improving education systems to address workforce shortages.
Before his national political career, Polis made his fortune in the early internet industry and served in Congress. In a recent interview, he discussed various policy issues, including affordable housing, assault weapons bans, and the importance of governors as potential presidential running mates. He also shared advice for Kamala Harris on connecting with rural Americans, emphasizing the significance of showing up and being present in rural communities.
Regarding education initiatives, Polis highlighted the need to focus on outcomes that benefit learners and the workforce, regardless of party affiliations. He emphasized the importance of addressing the workforce needs of today and tomorrow to ensure that individuals can support themselves and succeed in their careers.
In response to the affordable housing crisis, Colorado recently passed a comprehensive housing package aimed at removing barriers to home construction. Polis outlined the success of the legislation, which included measures to increase housing density near transit, streamline approval processes, and reduce costs. He emphasized the importance of balancing supply and demand in the housing market, acknowledging the high demand for housing in Colorado due to the state’s popularity. Our goal was to eliminate the barriers to housing supply by addressing local zoning laws that hindered or slowed down construction. We aimed to reduce bureaucracy, paperwork, and legal costs to speed up housing construction in Colorado, making it more affordable for families to live in the state.
While there is frustration among progressives in Colorado about issues like criminal justice reform and renter protections, we have made significant progress in addressing the housing crisis. By streamlining the construction process, we have already seen benefits and expect more affordable housing options to become available.
In addition to housing, we have also focused on education, with full funding for schools for the first time in 14 years. We have increased classroom budgets, teacher salaries, and classroom supplies, while also implementing universal preschool to save families money and improve access to early education.
Moving forward, we recognize the need to address healthcare costs, particularly in terms of reducing expenses for individuals. We have already taken steps to lower healthcare rates and plan to continue working on initiatives to save people money on insurance and out-of-pocket expenses.
In terms of gun safety, Colorado has been a leader in enacting measures to protect public safety. While we have implemented various regulations, including age restrictions and waiting periods, we are open to considering additional proposals that have shown to reduce crime and enhance public safety.
Regarding the cannabis industry, we acknowledge the downturn in tax revenues due to the legalization of marijuana in other states. Despite this, we believe in the benefits of a legal cannabis market and will continue to support the industry to generate tax revenues and create legitimate jobs.
As a governor myself and the chair of the National Governors Association, I understand the value of executive leadership in government. Governors bring a unique perspective and experience that make them well-equipped to serve in senior positions alongside the president. All the governors considered for Vice President Harris’ shortlist are favorites of mine, as they have shown dedication and leadership in their roles. I strongly believe that there is much to be gained from exploring innovations at the state level, regardless of political affiliation. By sharing knowledge and experiences, we can not only learn from each other but also help the federal government understand what policies are effective in the “laboratories of democracy.”
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