staging.rockymountainvoice.com

Tag: Ryan Gonzalez

Stories of struggle, hardship fuel Rep. Ryan Gonzalez’s push for practical state solutions
Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Stories of struggle, hardship fuel Rep. Ryan Gonzalez’s push for practical state solutions

By Jen Schumann | Contributing Writer, Rocky Mountain Voice What makes a leader relatable? For newly-elected Rep. Ryan Gonzalez, R-Greeley, representing the 50th District in Weld County, it’s growing up in a household where sacrifices weren’t optional, but survival. Gonzalez knows the struggles of everyday Coloradans. As the son of a single mother and a domestic violence survivor, he has lived through them. “When I was 12, my sister ran away. She was gone for three weeks. And I was out putting up missing signs everywhere,” Gonzalez said. “My mom couldn’t eat or sleep. A mother’s worry is, is my daughter safe? Will I find her in a ditch somewhere? The whole time, my dad knew where she was and was covering it up.” For Gonzalez, these moments reflected his mother’s enduring streng...
Rep. Gonzalez: Without TABOR, we would have higher taxes, little to no tax refunds, and unlimited government spending
Commentary, completecolorado.com

Rep. Gonzalez: Without TABOR, we would have higher taxes, little to no tax refunds, and unlimited government spending

By Rep. Ryan Gonzalez | Commentary, Complete Colorado In 1992, Colorado voters passed the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights, or TABOR, the nation’s strongest tax limitation law to this day. For those who are unfamiliar what TABOR really does, this amendment to the Colorado Constitution allows government spending to reasonably increase using a formula of population growth plus inflation. Excess revenue, known as the “TABOR surplus,” must be refunded to taxpayers. If state government wants to keep the surplus, or raise taxes, voters must approve. That is exactly why progressives abhor TABOR. But the truth is, a little north of 60% of Colorado voters approve of TABOR. Many progressives have made their disdain for TABOR be known, having tried time and time again to chip away at TABOR’s...
Gonzalez: In the 75th legislative session, lawmakers should focus on affordability
Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice

Gonzalez: In the 75th legislative session, lawmakers should focus on affordability

By Ryan Gonzalez | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice As prices for Coloradans continue to increase, the state legislature must step in to provide relief for the ones they serve. In recent years, what the legislature has done is add more unnecessary costs to everyday expenses from energy to groceries to housing. An example are the “fees” added continuously. Fees, such as the “tire fee” the “delivery fee” the “telephone fee” and car registration fees. The list goes on and on. Repealing many of these fees will provide some relief to everyday Coloradans. Regulations have also added unnecessary hardships to our residents and taxpayers. Regulations — in such areas as environmental and labor — that only pass costs to consumers. In housing, new developments and renovations must compl...
Gilmartin: Win in House District 50 by Ryan Gonzalez, age 29, is historic
Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice, State

Gilmartin: Win in House District 50 by Ryan Gonzalez, age 29, is historic

By Jack Gilmartin | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice In a groundbreaking election for Colorado Republicans, 29-year-old Ryan Gonzalez claimed victory in House District 50 in Greeley, unseating incumbent Democrat Mary Young. This win carries multiple layers of significance: it’s the first time since Tambor Williams’ victory in 2002 that a Republican has won this district, a traditionally Democratic stronghold, and it represents the first GOP gain in the Colorado House of Representatives since 2014. With this victory, Republicans increase their count from 19 to 20 seats in the 65-seat chamber. This victory is especially meaningful for the Colorado Federation of Young Republicans, as Gonzalez, a young and dynamic new voice, is one of their members. In a cycle where the Colorado...