Ross feels called to public service

By Dan MacArthur
North Forty News

A student and teacher of political science, James Ross said he considers serving in public office as a calling.

He felt compelled to answer that call this year after Lilias Jarding, whom he regarded as the most viable Democratic contender for House District 49, dropped out of the race.

Ross, 41, who lives south of LaPorte, said he also was motivated to challenge what he called his Republican opponent's narrow range of representation based on ideology.

"Those who hold office should be responsible to their entire constituency," he insisted. "I will work for people, not against them."

Cooperation and collaboration is the key, Ross said. "We all need to work together to move northern Colorado forward."

Ross is seeking to unseat Kevin Lundberg, who is running for a fourth term.

A self-described "soccer dad," Ross's top priority is increasing access to health care for all, especially children. "We're talking about something really fundamental to having a shot in this society," he said.

To do so requires bypassing insurance companies, which he characterized as a "sinister business" whose financial success rests on rationing health care and resisting claims.

"There shouldn't be so many people between you and your health care," he said. "To me they are the ones determining whether someone has access."

Yet Ross does not support a state-supported health-care system and conceded that he doesn't yet have the answers. But he believes government can play a role in centralizing administrative expenses. As it is, Ross maintained that nearly a third of the cost of health care is consumed by paper shuffling.

As for improving transportation, Ross said area residents can't wait for the state. "We need to get our act together in northern Colorado," he said. "It's going to have to be done regionally."

But while communities must work to become better connected, Ross said, they also need to be connected to the global marketplace. To that end, he suggested tying into the Regional Transportation District system serving the metro area and promoting a proposed high-speed commuter train serving the Front Range.

Also on his agenda are strengthening personal privacy protections and promoting restorative justice programs that offer a second chance for youth committing minor legal infractions before getting tangled in the court system.

Ross supports the proposed Savings Account for Education ballot issue. Amendment 59 would permanently eliminate the state revenue limits contained in the Taxpayer Bill of Rights, along with educational spending increases mandated in Amendment 23. Retained revenues would go into an education savings account. "This is a good amendment. It will assure money is there for education," he said.

Calling it "an Old West solution to a New West challenge," Ross opposes construction of Glade Reservoir as a component of the Northern Integrated Supply Project. "I think we need to look carefully at all the options," he said.

A Colorado resident for 20 years, Ross earned undergraduate and doctorate degrees in political science from the University of Colorado.