Name:
Mike May
Position running for: State House District 44
Age:52
Family:Married, 6 children, 3 dogs.
What I do:State representative and Colorado House Republican Leader. Retired CPA,Hotel Development and Operations.
Favorite Place in Douglas County to hang out: The War Horse.
What do I like most about living here: I am a 20-plus year Douglas County resident. Douglas County's abundance of open space, recreation, great schools, employment opportunities and wonderful people has made for a great home for me and my family.
My interests and hobbies: Travel, youth sports (many years coaching baseball and soccer), backyardbarbecue with family and friends.
My favorite thing to cook: Homemade pasta or rib roast on thebarbecue rotisserie (depending on whether I'm on Adkins at the time).
People who inspired me: My wife
Traci, who runs our family business and our household while I spend 120 days each year at the Capitol as representative for House District 44. She is a strong, independent woman whose dedication to family, work and community makes her a true role model for any person (male or female).
How have I contributed to the community: Currently serve as state representative for House District 44 and was elected by my colleagues as the Republican Leader in the House; served on the Parker Town Council from 1998-2002; 1998 O'Brien Award as Parker's Citizen of the Year; 2002 Cornerstone Award by Parker EDC; worked to help establish recently opened Teen Driving Facility in Parker; past president of Parker Chamber of Commerce; former Rotarian, Parker Club (until elected to the State Legislature); past board member, Parker Economic Development Council; and many years as a youth baseball coach, and two years as a youth soccer coach.
What are the biggest issues facing Douglas County now?: Preserving Douglas County's quality of life is my top priority. I work with city and county elected officials (meeting almost weekly) and other community leaders to help coordinate our efforts on water, transportation, education, jobs and open space. As the Republican Leader in the state House, I ensure that Douglas County's voice is loud and clear when legislation which may affect Douglas County is proposed. Further, I have taken the lead on important legislation regarding property rights, annexation, and regional transportation.
What are the biggest issues facing the state right now?: One of the most significant issues affecting the quality of life for the citizen's of this state now and in the future is the impact of illegal immigration. The federal government's failure to do its job of securing our borders has left the problem to us at the state level. I don't believe the correct response is "it's not our job" - leadership requires that we step forward do and as much as we can at the state level to eliminate laws and services that promote Colorado as a "sanctuary state" for illegal immigrants. I have repeatedly fought efforts to provide in-state tuition for illegal immigrants; I carried and passed a bill that establishes significant fines ($50,000 per offense) for manufacturing/providing false documentation; and I led the call for a special session to allow citizens to vote on denying state benefits to illegal immigrants.
Our health care system is the envy of the world. At the same time, there are many thousands of our citizen's who have limited or no access to that system. I have surveyed all 50 states this past summer and will be proposing a variety of improvements that respect our market based system (not a government system), enhances access for small businesses and rural citizens, supports our first responders (EMT's), and encourages nurses to stay in direct patient care.
The quality of education for every child in Colorado should not be dependent upon the neighborhood that their parents can afford to live in. Expanding parental choice in education will greatly improve opportunities for every child - we can't wait another generation and let the gift of education pass by many of our children.