Candidate Q&A: Vicki Pyne, for HD27

Profession: Program Director of CASA of Jefferson & Gilpin Counties, small business owner

Residence: Arvada

Party: Republican

Contact: vickipyneforhd27.com

What makes you the best choice for this office?

I will bring balance to the legislature. I am a wife, small business owner, mother of five RVHS graduates, President of Apex Board of Directors, and Program Director for CASA of Jeffco/Gilpin, advocating for children who have been abused and neglected. I have lived in Arvada for 25 years as an active volunteer and community member. In my many conversations, I have heard the concern for healthcare, education, community safety, and the economy. I share these concerns and want to be part of the solutions. To learn more about my stance on the issues, visit my website at vickipyneforhd27.com.

If elected, what would your top issue be?

There will be multiple issues sharing a spot at the top: healthcare, education, safety, and the economy. As I talk to constituents, I hear concerns about school closures and COVID-19, about economic recovery and what that looks like as we navigate the pandemic, and about transparency in healthcare. These are unprecedented times where strong, stable leadership is needed to balance the competing needs of all these issues.

If elected, what would you want to accomplish in order for you to consider the term a success?

I will measure myself on my ability to communicate respectfully and effectively with my constituents and my fellow legislators. As a small business owner, I have felt the impact of regulations imposed by the 2020 legislature in order to close “corporate loopholes”. I would like to see those actions amended or repealed to allow our small business owners a chance to succeed and thrive, especially given the difficult financial pressures they are all facing during the pandemic.

Your view on efforts to change TABOR?

The Taxpayer Bill of Rights (TABOR) protects taxpayer dollars by requiring voters to approve new taxes. I trust the voters to make these decisions. This process creates conversations between elected officials and their constituents and helps to prioritize spending. With this year’s budget climate, I realize there is great concern about cuts at the state level. I believe citizens have felt the pinch as well and should be consulted on how the government recovers the losses caused by the economic shutdown.

The Red Flag law went into effect this year. Has it been a good law, and would you change anything?

I, along with many Jeffco residents, was concerned about due process and potential abuse when this legislation went into effect. Fortunately, we have seen judges properly throw out unjust claims when people have attempted to abuse this law. There is still potential for innocent citizens to be abused by this law as it is currently written.