Cary Kennedy, the Democratic candidate for Colorado treasurer, came to Boulder last week to fundraise for her campaign which focuses on educational funding. She hopes Boulder voters will express their support for educational funding come election time.
Kennedy graduated from Manual High School in Denver in 1986. She received her college education from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York and from the University of Denver College of Law.
Kennedy hopes to make education a priority to the Colorado treasury.
“I have always said it is not a responsible course of action to cut education funds. I want to establish Colorado as a leader in supporting education funds.” Kennedy said. “We should lead the country and not lag it.”
Kennedy served as a policy director for House Speaker Andrew Romanoff and helped build and budget the proposal for Referendum C in 2005.
Kennedy also led a bi-partisan coalition to increase funding for Colorado public schools in 2000.
Kennedy says it is her support for Referendum C and educational funding that sets her apart from her opponent Mark Hillman.
“Hillman has taken a pledge never to modify the TABOR amendment (Taxpayers Bill of Rights) regardless of the ability it has to fund education,” Kennedy said. Kennedy also said Hillman voted against Referendum C.
Referendum C was approved by voters in 2005 and is the amendment that permits the state to spend the money it collects over its limit for the next five years on health care, public education, transportation projects and local fire and police pensions.
Kennedy says her first loyalty is to the taxpayers.
“Taxpayers need to have the best value in tax dollars,” said Kennedy.
Kennedy says not only will she protect taxpayers’ money, but she will also give voters information about where their tax dollars are invested and spent.
If elected Kennedy says her first order of business would be “making sure we have responsible fiscal policies and a balanced budget.”
Kennedy says she will achieve this by investing only in the safest and most secure bonds.
“This will minimize risk and maximize return,” Kennedy said.
Kennedy reports no difficulties in her campaign so far. She said her campaign experience has been a pleasure to both her and her family.
“We have been met with a warm welcome from Coloradans, and for this I am grateful,” Kennedy said.
Congressman Mark Udall joined Kennedy in Boulder to show his support.