August 02, 2008 04:32 PM UTC

Daily Camera: Rollie Heath for SD-18

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• by: JeffcoBlue

(This is the most important endorsement in this race – promoted by DavidThi808)

Very well written endorsement in a hot primary.

Heath has a long history of serving this area’s social and business needs. The 2002 Democratic candidate for governor was the founding chair of what is now Progress Now, the founding chair of the Democratic Business Coalition, and the founder of Denver’s World Trade Center. He serves on many business and institutional boards, and was chairman of the Mile High United Way 2006 Annual Campaign.

He cares about children and early education, and has direct experience with the K-12 system, including the establishment of a ’90s-era mentoring program for inner city kids in Denver. He supports pre-school education for all of Colorado’s four-year-olds.

He said he wants to start working (on Aug. 13, to be specific) on fiscal reform at the state level, and supports Speaker Andrew Romanoff’s proposal to lift spending limits and provide a savings account for education. The plan retains the public’s right to vote on tax increases. In an interview with the Camera’s editorial board this week, State Treasurer Cary Kennedy called the speaker’s plan a “very workable solution” to TABOR and for education funding in Colorado.

Heath wants to work toward ensuring health care for every Colorado child. He supports incentives to expand the use of wind and solar power in Colorado homes. He is dedicated to working with both sides of the aisle to come up with a comprehensive transportation plan…

This year’s primary was a race marred with mudslinging and some flared tempers on both sides. The Camera’s editorial board agreed that Heath showed some grace under pressure, and his tendency to put past grievances behind him will serve the district well, as he works with legislators across the state.

Heath is the best candidate for Senate District 18. We support his legislative goals for children, the state’s finances and transportation, and he has a proven track record of working with diverse interests to get the job done.