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Jared Polis on Families & Children

 

 


Strengthen our state's foster care and adoption systems

To continue Georgia's protection and celebration of life at all stages, I believe it is vitally important that we continue our work together to strengthen our state's foster care and adoption systems. My budget proposal will include nearly $28 million to allocate a 10% provider rate increase for all foster parents, relative caregivers, child caring institutions, and child placing agencies.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Georgia legislature , Jan 13, 2022

Wants "unique Colorado solution" to provide paid leave

We need to find a way to enact paid family and medical leave for more Coloradans. The Federal Family and Medical Leave Act allows for unpaid leave, but that still forces families to choose between getting a paycheck and caring for a newborn child, an aging parent, or themselves. I'm hopeful we can construct a unique Colorado solution that provides paid time off to many more Coloradans as soon as possible, without straining state resources or forcing taxpayers to bear the financial risk.
Source: 2020 Colorado State of the State address , Jan 9, 2020

Establish statewide paid family and medical leave program

We must work to make Colorado as family-friendly as possible. As a first step, I will be including in our budget package a formal request to provide paid parental leave for all state employees. And together, we should take comprehensive action. It's time to finally establish a paid family and medical leave program in Colorado--so that employees aren't having to choose between keeping their paycheck and caring for their child, a sick relative, an aging parent, or themselves. Look, if all this were easy, it would have been done already. Progress is always hard, and overcoming these challenges will be a long journey. But the people of Colorado need and deserve nothing less, and our work begins now.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to Colorado legislature , Jan 10, 2019

Supports same-sex marriage

Q: Support LGBT rights?

Jared Polis (D): Yes. Supports same-sex marriage & would be 1st openly gay governor in US.

Walker Stapleton (R): Unknown.

Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Issue Guide on Colorado Governor race , Oct 9, 2018

Will establish full-day Pre-K statewide

Within two years I will establish universal full day Kindergarten and Preschool in every community across our state. High-quality, full-day kindergarten and preschool promote school readiness, close achievement gaps, and support the healthy development of all children. Access to preschool and kindergarten would also save parents' money on day-care and allow parents the flexibility to go back to work sooner, not only helping families pay rent and put food on the table.
Source: 2018 Colorado Gubernatorial website PolisForColorado.com ,

Voted YES on four weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees.

Congressional Summary:Allows federal employees to substitute any available paid leave for any leave without pay available for either the: (1) birth of a child; or (2) placement of a child with the employee for either adoption or foster care. Makes available for any of the 12 weeks of leave an employee is entitled to for such purposes: (1) four administrative weeks of paid parental leave in connection with the birth or placement involved; and (2) any accumulated annual or sick leave.

Proponent's argument to vote Yes:

Rep. STEVE LYNCH (D, MA-9): This bill takes an important step toward improving the Federal Government's ability to recruit and retain a highly qualified workforce by providing paid parental leave to Federal and Congressional employees for the birth, adoption or placement of a child for foster care, which is a benefit that is extended to many in the private sector in other industrialized countries.

Opponent's argument to vote No:Rep. DARRELL ISSA (R, CA-49): This bill sends the wrong message at the wrong time to working American taxpayers and families that are struggling in difficult times. Our economy is in crisis, and deficits are already soaring. This bill does not have one provision to say if you make $170,000 a year, why do we have to give you this benefit, because you have to choose between feeding your children and being with your children? Certainly not. There are no protections against, in fact, those who do not need this special benefit getting it. There are no safeguards at all. As a matter of fact, this bill envisions the $1 billion over 5 years, swelling to $4 billion over 10 years or more because, in fact, they believe it should be 8 weeks of special leave. Federal employees enjoy one of the highest levels of job security, without a doubt, anywhere in the United States. I would venture to say many of them the highest. More importantly, in good times and bad, they keep their jobs.

Reference: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act; Bill H.R.626 ; vote number 2009-H310 on Jun 4, 2009

Sex Ed including both abstinence and contraception.

Polis signed H.R.1551&S.611

Authorizes grants to states for sex education programs, including education on abstinence and contraception, to prevent teenage pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Expresses the sense of Congress that states are encouraged, although not required, to provide matching funds to receive such grants.

Requires the Secretary to provide for a national evaluation of a representative sample of such programs for effectiveness in delaying the initiation of sexual intercourse and other high-risk behaviors, preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted disease, and increasing contraceptive knowledge and behavior. Requires states receiving such grants to provide for an individual evaluation of the state's program by an external, independent entity.

Source: Responsible Education About Life Act 09-HR1551 on Mar 17, 2009

Sponsored supporting No Name-Calling Week in schools.

Polis co-sponsored Resolution on school bullying

Congressional Summary:Expresses support for the goals and ideals of No Name-Calling Week (an annual week of educational activities to bring attention to name-calling and provide schools with tools to eliminate name-calling and bullying).

  • WHEREAS 60 organizations have come together as No Name-Calling Week partner organizations since its inception in 2004;
  • WHEREAS 30% of elementary students reported being bullied or called names at some point while in school;
  • WHEREAS over 80% of lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGBT) middle and high school students were verbally harassed in the past year because of their sexual orientation;
  • RESOLVED by that Congress encourages the people of the U.S. to observe No Name-Calling Week with appropriate ceremonies, programs, and activities.

    Opponent's argument against bill:(Izzy Kalman in Psychology Today, Jan. 26, 2012):

    No Name-Calling Week does no good in solving the problem of name-calling, and it can only make the problem worse by weakening children emotionally. Why are more kids than ever committing suicide because they can't handle being called names?

  • After a week of being bombarded with the message that names can scar them forever, are kids going t
    Source: H.CON.RES.10 13-HCR10 on Jan 25, 2013

    More funding & services for victims of domestic violence.

    Polis co-sponsored Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act

    Introduction by co-sponsor Sen. Kay Hagan (D,NC):
    We have a serious responsibility to ensure that women and families are protected. The rates of violence and abuse in our country are astounding and totally unacceptable: domestic violence affects more than 12 million people each year. In my home state, 73 women and children are killed on average every year because of domestic violence.

    Since 1994, the STOP Program has provided grants for services, training, officers, and prosecutors, and has transformed our criminal justice system and victim support services. And this bill includes the bipartisan SAFER Act, which helps fund audits of untested DNA evidence and reduces this backlog of rape kits. I ask you: What other victims in America have to identify the attacker before authorities will take action? None.Introduction by Sen. Chuck Grassley(R,IA):
    I urge my Republican colleagues, as I will do, to support the motion to proceed. There has long been bipartisan support for the Violence Against Women Act. Too many women are victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, and dating violence. There is overwhelming bipartisan support for 98% of what is contained in S. 47. [Since our negative vote last session], controversial provisions have been removed. The key stumbling block to enacting a bill at this time is the provision concerning Indian tribal courts. Negotiations are continuing, and compromises would allow the bill to pass with overwhelming bipartisan support. Introduction by Sen. Pat Leahy (D,VT):
    Our bill will allow services to get to those in the LGBT community who have had trouble accessing services in the past. The rates of domestic and sexual violence in these communities are equal to or greater than those of the general population. We also have key improvements for immigrant victims of domestic and sexual violence.

    Source: S.47/H.R.11 13-HR0011 on Jan 22, 2013

    Sponsored recognition of National Foster Care Month.

    Polis co-sponsored Recognizing National Foster Care Month

    RESOLUTION recognizing National Foster Care Month as an opportunity to raise awareness about the challenges of children in the foster care system, and encouraging Congress to implement policy to improve the lives of children in the foster care system.

    Source: H.Res.577/S.Res.442 14_HRes577 on May 8, 2014

    Six weeks of paid parental leave for federal employees.

    Polis co-sponsored H.R.532

    Congressional Summary: Allows federal employees six administrative weeks of paid parental leave in connection with birth.

    Supporters reasons for voting YEA: Rep. Maloney (D-NY): Since the passage of the Family and Medical Leave Act in 1993, individuals and their families have benefited from up to 12 weeks of unpaid job protected leave to care for a new child, sick family member, or a loved one recovering from a serious health condition. This landmark law has been used 200 million times by men and women across the nation. FMLA provides unpaid leave, which means families must choose between foregoing a paycheck and caring for a loved one. Most families today no longer have a stay-at-home parent to care for a new child, and few can afford to go without pay for any length of time. This legislation that provides federal employees with 6 weeks of paid leave following the birth, adoption, or fostering of a child.

    Opponents reasons for voting NAY: (Washington Post, Jan. 26, 2015): The Office of Management and Budget has said that creating six weeks of paid parental leave would cost $250 million annually, a cost it said would be covered within agency budgets for salaries and expenses and would fit within discretionary funding caps.

    Opponents reasons for voting NAY: (Countable.us: "Argument Opposed"): Not all new parents that work for the federal government need 6 weeks of paid leave. This mandate would be costly and could reduce the productivity of federal organizations and congressional offices.

    Source: Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act 15_H532 on Jan 26, 2015

    Increase number of children eligible for free school meals.

    Polis signed increasing number of children eligible for free school meals

    A bill to amend the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act and the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 to increase the number of children eligible for free school meals, with a phased-in transition period. Expands eligibility for free meals under the school lunch and breakfast programs to children whose family income falls at or below 185% of the federal poverty guidelines.

    SPONSOR'S INTRODUCTORY REMARKS:

    Sen. FRANKEN: In a country as wealthy as ours, it is shameful to let any child go hungry. That is why today, Senator Murkowski and I are introducing the Expand School Meals Act. By eliminating the reduced price meals category and replacing it with the free meal program, this legislation will ensure that low-income children are not denied nutritious food during the school day if their family can't afford to pay for it.

    It is important to remember that this will improve student readiness for school. Parents have long known, and recent studies confirm, that children cannot learn on empty stomachs. Hungry children perform worse on achievement tests, have trouble concentrating, and are more likely to act out in school.

    There are 3.1 million low-income children across the Nation eligible for reduced-price school meals. Currently, these families must pay 40 cents for each lunch and 30 cents for each breakfast their children eat at school. While this may not sound like a lot of money to members of Congress, to a family that is barely scraping by, especially in today's economy, the cost can be prohibitive.

    I would like to conclude by commending my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for their leadership in advocating for the extension of free school meals to children of the working poor. These efforts began with Senator Elizabeth Dole, who in 2003 introduced a bill that would have also phased out the reduced price meals category.

    Source: Expand School Meals Act (S.1737 & HR.3075) 2009-S1737 on Oct 1, 2009

    Other governors on Families & Children: Jared Polis on other issues:
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    NJ: Incumbent Phil Murphy(D)
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    vs.Candidate Hirsh Singh(R)
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    VA: Incumbent Ralph Northam(D,term-limited)
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    Gubernatorial Debates 2023:
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    vs.Senator Rand Paul(? R)
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    LA: Incumbent John Bel Edwards(D,term-limited)
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    Gubernatorial Debates 2022:
    AK: Incumbent Mike Dunleavy(R)
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    AL: Incumbent Kay Ivey(R)
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    AR: Incumbent Asa Hutchinson(R,term-limited)
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    AZ: Incumbent Doug Ducey(R,term-limited)
    Mayor Marco Lopez(D)
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    vs.Secretary of State Katie Hobbs(D)
    vs.State Treasurer Kimberly Yee(R)
    vs.U.S.Rep.Matt Salmon(R)
    vs.Steve Gaynor(R)
    vs.State Rep.Aaron Lieberman(D)
    vs.Jorge Rivas(R)
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    CA: Incumbent Gavin Newsom(D)
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    vs.Former Gov. nominee John Cox(R)
    vs.Kevin Paffrath(D)
    vs.State Sen. Brian Dahle(R)
    CO: Incumbent Jared Polis(D)
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    vs.Heidi Ganahl(R)
    CT: Incumbent Ned Lamont(D)
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    FL: Incumbent Ron DeSantis(R)
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    ID: Incumbent Brad Little(R)
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    IL: Incumbent J.B. Pritzker(D)
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    vs.Chase LaPorte(R)     		Gubernatorial Debates 2022 (continued):
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    ME: Incumbent Janet Mills(D)
    vs.Former Gov. Paul LePage(R)
    MI: Incumbent Gretchen Whitmer(D)
    vs.Chief James Craig(R)
    vs.Police Chief Tudor Dixon(R)
    vs.Garrett Soldano(R)
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    MN: Incumbent Tim Walz(DFL)
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    vs.Carol Blood(D)
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    vs.Speaker Steven Haugaard(R)
    TN: Incumbent Bill Lee(R)
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    vs.J B Smiley(D)
    TX: Incumbent Greg Abbott(R)
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    VT: Incumbent Phil Scott(R)
    (no prospective opponents yet)
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    WY: Incumbent Mark Gordon(R)
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    Page last updated: May 17, 2022