McCluskey points to experience

By Dan MacArthur
North Forty News

Bob McCluskey contends that his proven experience as an effective legislator who rises above partisan politics best qualifies him to continue serving as a state representative.

While many may talk about "reaching across the aisle" to build the coalitions necessary to address issues, McCluskey said he has the demonstrated ability as evidenced by bills he's carried that have won nearly unanimous bipartisan support.

Further, McCluskey, a Republican, said he is distinguished from opponent John Kefalas by the breadth and diversity of his efforts and interests.

"There's a difference between taking the broad view and being a lobbyist for one area," McCluskey said, referring to Kefalas' work for a pair of nonprofit agencies focused on advocacy for the poor and underprivileged.

McCluskey is seeking his third term in the District 52 seat he won after serving four years on the Fort Collins City Council. If successful, he said that he plans to concentrate on the same areas he has before - making health care more affordable, creating jobs and preventing Internet predators from preying on children.

McCluskey said he wants to continue working to reduce medical costs through legislation such as his bill adopted in the last session. It requires hospitals and other medical facilities to report the number of patients becoming infected while under their care. Doing so, he said, resulted in a $3 million savings as hospitals worked to reduce those infection rates to remain competitive in attracting patients. Nine states have followed that example, he said, adopting some version of the infection-reporting legislation.

A supporter of the bill vetoed by the governor that called for the state to cut costs by becoming a bulk buyer of prescription drugs, McCluskey said Colorado will have to cobble together its unique approach employing pieces that have worked in other states.

McCluskey said he also wants to begin what likely will be a difficult effort of assembling a coalition to develop a permanent funding source for transportation and higher education needs. That will become critical, he said, when the state's authorization to retain some $3.7 million in tax revenues lapses in five years along with Referendum C, which he supported.

As part of that effort, McCluskey advocates establishing a "rainy day fund" to help carry the state through the next economic downturn. "The state should feel some of the pain when the economy does go down, but we should not let it go down as far as before," he said.

McCluskey called the immigration reform passed in this summer's special session a "good start," while adding, "I hope the federal government will do something." He said the state still could do more to ensure businesses do a better job of assuring workers are in the country legally.

McCluskey, 56, works as a legislator full time since selling his Poudre Valley Creamery. A Fort Collins resident since his family moved here in 1953, he served on the city council from 1993 to 1997. McCluskey earned his undergraduate degree in economics and master's of business administration from Stanford University.