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PVA 2004 Candidate Information
~ State House District 23 ~

This page contains candidate information about the candidates for State House District 23.

Highlights from this race: Notes:
Candidate questionnaire scores
1a. Did you grow up with animals? Yes/No
1b. If so, what kind?

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) Yes - 2 dogs: 1 Cocker Spaniel, 1 "mutt"; also 1 cat
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) Yes - I lived on a farm.
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


2a. Does your family have animals? Yes/No
2b. If so, what kind?

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) Not now - Had a dog who died at 17 years
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) Yes - Cats + dogs + fish + reptiles
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


3. Are you in favor of the spaying/neutering of dogs and cats to reduce overpopulation? Yes/No/Undecided

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) Yes
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) Yes
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


4. Would you be likely to support state legislation to require that animals raised for slaughter be protected from inhumane forms of slaughter, housing, and transportation? Yes/No/Undecided

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) Yes - Absolutely
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) Undecided
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


5. Would you be likely to support state legislation to require that educational institutions at all levels provide (and advertise to students) an alternative to animal dissection? Yes/No/Undecided

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) Yes - Absolutely
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) Undecided
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


6. Do you believe that aggravated cruelty/violence to animals should be a felony? (Choose Y, N, U, or C.)
(Y) yes; (N) no; (U) undecided; (C) yes, in certain cases (e.g., extreme cases only, or after the first offense)

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) (C) - There may be times violence is necessary to stop an animal attack, as in dog maulings.
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) (N)
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


7. Would you be likely to support state legislation prohibiting the use of elephants in traveling acts, such as circuses? Yes/No/Undecided

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) Yes - Absolutely! Its unspeakably cruel to separate elephants from their families, for which they have strong emotional attachment. Furthermore, research has shown how intelligent elephants are and how deep their attachments run. Baby elephants should never be separated from their mothers.
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) No
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


8. Of the two following value statements, to which are you likely to give higher priority?
(a) Wildlife and their environment are to be protected and preserved.
(b) Wildlife and their environment are to be managed.

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) (a)
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) (a)
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


9. Section 33-1-101 (1), Colorado Revised Statutes, states, "It is the policy of the state of Colorado that the wildlife and their environment are to be protected, preserved, enhanced, and managed for the use, benefit, and enjoyment of the people of this state and its visitors."
Do you believe that all Colorado residents should have a voice in wildlife policy? Yes/No/Undecided

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) Yes
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) Yes
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


10. Do you believe that there are forms of hunting that are unethical and that wildlife should be protected from them? Yes/No/Undecided

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) Yes
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) Undecided
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


11. Do you believe that Amendment 14, the anti-trapping initiative passed by Colorado voters in 1996, should be overturned or weakened in any way? Yes/No/Undecided

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) No - Absolutely not!
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) Undecided
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


12. Would you be likely to support state legislation to (1) require counties to allow county-level ballot initiatives and (2) establish consistent procedures and criteria for such initiatives? Yes/No/Undecided

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) Yes
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) Yes
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


13. Do you think that initiating a state ballot issue should be (a) easier; (b) harder; or (c) as it is now?

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) (c)
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) (c)
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


14. Would you be willing to consider factual documentation from PVA on a given issue? Yes/No/Undecided

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) Yes
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) Yes
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


Please add any other comments ...

SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) As a Golden City Councilor, I initiated a measure to address animal cruelty in a local pet shop, which resulted in a tightening and expansion of our animal cruelty law. The pet shop's owner announced he is moving his business out of town.
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) None given
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond


Candidate questionnaire scores
SHD23 Gwyn Green (D) Overall Questionnaire Response Score = 92%
SHD23 Michael McKinzie (L) Overall Questionnaire Response Score = 38%
SHD23 Ramey Johnson (R) Will not respond

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