Denver, CO – This week, United States Senator Michael Bennet held town hall meetings in nine towns and cities across the state to hear first-hand how the economic crisis is affecting everyday Coloradans in their day-to-day lives.
In these meetings, Coloradans of all ages and backgrounds shared their own personal accounts of difficulty and distress in the current economic downturn. They also asked questions on what the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, signed into law this week, will do to help them cope with record job loss, rising costs for health care and education, and frozen financial markets that have made credit increasingly difficult to come by.
“President Obama’s plan is only the first step, but it’s a step I believe we had to take if we are truly committed to the task of turning this economy around,” said Senator Bennet. “This plan isn’t perfect, but it’s a good plan and the right plan to save or create jobs, put more money in the pockets of middle-class American families, and get our economy moving again.”
Hundreds of concerned citizens attended and participated in Senator Bennet’s town hall meetings, posing questions on a wide range of issues of great importance to their respective communities.
In his West Slope tour, which took him through Durango, Cortez, Rico, Ridgway, Delta and Grand Junction, Senator Bennet fielded a number of questions on a wide range of issues including the economy, education, energy and natural resources, and foreign affairs.
In his High Plains town hall tour, which took him through Fort Morgan, Akron and Sterling, Senator Bennet heard from area residents on the economy, rural development, agriculture, water use and conservation, and the development of conventional and renewable fuels.
But at each meeting, Senator Bennet pledged to serve as a voice for all of Colorado in the U.S. Senate and work with people across the state and across the political spectrum to deliver results on the issues that matter to Coloradans in their daily lives.
“We won’t always see eye-to-eye, but that doesn’t mean we can’t find common ground,” said Senator Bennet. “If we commit ourselves to moving beyond politics as usual and focus on pragmatic problem-solving, I am confident that, together, we can accomplish great things.”
Links to articles on Senator Bennet’s Colorado town hall tour are included below:
NEWS COVERAGE
Bennet hears stimulus praise, fears, Durango Herald
Senator stops in Cortez, Cortez Journal
Bennet defends Stimulus Bill vote, Montrose Daily Press
Bennet Stops in Sterling Sterling Journal-Advocate
EDITORIALS
Michael Bennet, Durango Herald
Bennet visit a welcome effort, Sterling Journal Advocate