Aurora resident urges DeGette to co-sponsor TB and tax credit bills

30 years of service defined Rep. Diana DeGette's time in the U.S. House of Representatives. Martha Karnopp, an Aurora resident, sent a letter to the newspaper to acknowledge that tenure. Karnopp described DeGette as a consistent progressive voice for women's and children's rights, the environment, and good government.

The letter noted that DeGette served as an impeachment manager during the first impeachment of President Trump. Karnopp stated that DeGette did not draw much press attention for that role but carried on faithfully. In the current Congress, DeGette was in line to become chair of a subcommittee focused on Medicare for All.

Karnopp identified Medicare for All as a key position for Melat Kiros. Kiros was elected to Congress and will join the new members. Karnopp asked DeGette to take two specific stands before finishing her career in the House. The first request involves co-sponsoring the End TB Now Act.

Karnopp said the End TB Now Act would move the country toward eliminating the largest infectious disease killer in the world. The second request involves co-sponsoring the Stronger Start for Working Families Act. Karnopp explained that this bill would extend the Child Tax Credit to America's poorest families.

Karnopp suggested that DeGette and other current representatives should co-sponsor these two acts. The letter named Rep. Joe Neguse, Rep. Jason Crow, and Rep. Brittany Pettersen as the other current representatives. Karnopp argued that their action would set a strong example for the new Congress.

Karnopp closed the letter by thanking DeGette for her service to the country. The letter was published alongside three other letters to the editor. Dave Usechek of Parker questioned how state legislators will fund schools after the passage of Proposition NN. Usechek asked if legislators will use general fund revenue as they have in the past. He warned against using NN funds to offset budget problems while claiming increased school funding.

John W. Thomas of Fort Collins wrote about the recent election results. He stated that people across the country showed America is capable of conducting free and fair elections without federal interference. Thomas hoped the conspiracy theory of rigged elections would disappear. He compared the theory to beliefs about President Obama's birthplace. Tom Briggs of Longmont responded to an editorial about Colorado politics. Briggs argued that the enactment of TABOR fractured the relationship between voters and elected representatives. He said the recent suspension of the TABOR spending cap is a first step toward restoring that relationship.