“Housing policy is economic policy. Housing policy is transportation policy. Housing policy is water policy. Housing policy is public health and equity policy,” he emphasized.
“This means that we need more flexible zoning to allow more housing, streamlined regulations that cut through red tape, expedited approval processes for projects like modular housing, sustainable development, and more building in transit oriented communities....”
Polis framed his housing policies as empowering private property owners, by giving them more power over what they can build on their land."
Polis is one of the few politicians who gets both the progressive and property rights cases for zoning reform.
Other Polis accomplishments:
- Passing first state law abolishing qualified immunity.
- Lifting Covid restrictions early, but without the anti-vaxxerism of GOP governors who did similar things, and without mandates on the private sector.
- Defending charter schools (though sadly, not full-blown school choice).
- Pushing for tax reduction.
- Good on trade and immigration, (mostly back when he was a congressman; but he continues to speak out about it).
I don't claim Polis fully meets libertarian ideals. Far from it. But he's much better than virtually any other governor - or any other currently plausible presidential candidate for the next 2 cycles (though he's unlikely to run in 2024 unless Biden unexpectedly chooses not to run for reelection).