Johnson advocates nonpartisanship

By JoAn Bjarko
North Forty News

Steve Johnson wants to stay in elective office, but closer to home. He's running for the first time for Larimer County Commissioner after serving 12 years in the Colorado Legislature, where he is midway through a four-year term in the Senate.

Johnson, 48, of rural Fort Collins is running for the District 2 seat on the Republican ticket. The district covers the middle third of the county, but all county voters determine the outcome. His opponent is Randy Eubanks.

"I think the county needs a style of leadership that can work with Republicans and Democrats and work with a lot of personalities," Johnson said.

In the legislature Johnson worked with the other party to pass Referendum C to address the state budget crisis in 2001, and he worked with Democrats to update the state's mining laws in response to the uranium mining proposal in Weld County. Johnson said he is also proud of getting the Loveland driver's license office reopened.

"I work for the best idea," Johnson said. "I think that's something the county needs."

Citing his position on the state's Joint Budget Committee, Johnson said he can bring budget expertise to Larimer County. He is one of six state legislators writing the state's $17 billion budget.

Larimer County needs to change its budgeting process, he said. Ranking services is not enough, Johnson said, noting that departments of state government have to develop measurable goals. "It forces you to look at efficiency and measure performance," he said.

At the county level, "personality conflicts are interfering with good public policy," he said.

Johnson said public safety is his top priority. He supports the proposed 0.25 percent sales tax that would fund mental health treatment and substance abuse programs.

Johnson said he would support efforts to plan and fund a Regional Transportation Authority, a project that failed last year when local governments could not agree on the details. "We need to put our personal differences aside, and we need to think regionally," Johnson said.

Johnson agreed with many points in the county commissioners' official comments on the Northern Integrated Supply Project. "I would like to see the county meet with the Corps and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District to discuss these issues, not just send a letter," he said. "The county needs to be an active participant with a seat at the table, as this project, if built, will impact our county and its residents for generations."

Johnson said he believes the need for additional water storage to serve a growing county can be achieved in a manner consistent with the high level of environmental protection that Larimer County residents expect. "I think the Corps can put conditions on the project that will deal with the concerns," he said.

Because the state legislature is not in session year-round, Johnson is teaching chemistry at Colorado State University this fall. He worked as a veterinarian and sold his practice five years ago. "Sixteen years of small business experience is important," he said.