Article Contributed on: 10/2/2008 3:52:23 PM
Morgan Carroll is running for State Senate District 29 and answered a questionnaire for YourHub.com. To read all of the candidate questionnaires,
click here.
Name: Morgan Carroll
Seat you are seeking: State Senate District 29
Age: 36
Family: Single, No Children, Dad (John S. Carroll), Mom (Rebecca L. Bradley), Siblings (Doug, Margie, Michael John, Debbie, Barbara), Nieces (Sarah, Jayde, Holly), Nephew (Jason)
Occupation: Attorney, Small Business Owner, Legislator
Hometown: Currently: Aurora; growing up: Denver, Westminster, Boulder
Your Web site:
www.senmorgancarroll.com
Favorite local place to hang out: Sheabeen's Irish Pub
What do you like most about living here?: Diverse, Interesting People
Interests & hobbies: Home Improvement, Language, Travel, Horseback Riding, Swimming, Music
Favorite TV show: X-Files
Favorite Web site:
www.squarestate.net
People who inspired you (and how): My father was an idealist committed to social justices causes, even if tough, even if unpopular. My mother refused to accept barriers or limits on her education or professional options and has lived and taught me "everything is possible" and nothing is more dangerous than "silence" in the face of tyranny or oppression. Gandhi, Vaclav Havel, Martin Luther King Jr, Aung San Suchi, James Connelly all inspired me with people who were / are willing to put their live on the line to fight for freedom and equality for all.
How you have contributed to the community: I have fought for the issues our community asked for: insurance & healthcare reform, auto insurance reform, lobbying reform, campaign finance reform, protecting property rights, criminal justice reform.
I have engaged numerous citizens and citizen groups to teach people how to impact laws in Colorado (citizen activism), held 2 townhall meetings per month, made house-calls to check on issues for every year for 5 years in Aurora, send monthly e-updates to keep people informed, and annual newsletter legislative session updates to keep people informed.
I have joined several community groups to support Buckley Air Force Base, CROP walks for hunger, support of our local arts, participated in Aurora Chamber events etc.
What are the biggest issues facingyour constituency now: Based on walking and asking the community, this year, people have emphasized:
#1) The Economy - gas prices, utility costs, foreclosures, static wages, unemployment, lay-offs, housing values, cost of health care.
#2) Health Care - high premiums, deductibles, co-pays, less coverage, exclusion of pre-existing conditions, employers dropping or covering less or uninsured.
#3) Education - welcoming parental involvement, communications, too much on testing not enough on teaching, too much red tape, high turnover, addressing high dropout rate, after school programs.