Rachel Zenzinger for Colorado Senate District 19
Rachel Zenzinger
Colorado Senate
February 12, 2017
Busy week!  Several major bills heard in committee

We had a very busy week down at the Capitol. Several major bills were heard in senate committees, such as the repeal of the Colorado Health Exchange, a bill on construction defects, and a bill that would r equire U.S. citizenship for Colorado peace officers. Here's a recap of the week: 

Monday: My bill SB17-092 that would strengthen police hiring background checks, was inexplicably killed in State Affairs. You can read more about the bill and possible reasons for the bill's demise in Colorado Politics or the Denver Post. Also, SB17-005 concerning handgun training for school employees passed on 3rd reading. 

Tuesday: We heard SB17-093 on the operation of bicycles approaching intersections in Transportation Committee. While I voted in favor of the bill, it died on a party line vote 3-2. The Health & Human Services committee passed SB17-003, also on a party line vote, to repeal the Colorado Health Benefit Exchange. 

Wednesday: My bill SB17-123 concerning a high school diploma endorsement for biliteracy passed out of the Education Committee 6-1. You can read more in this Colorado Politics article. Also, a bill to address construction defects reform, SB17-045, passed out of committee. 

Thursday: We heard testimony on SB17-061 concerning the distribution of additional operational funding to charter schools in Senate Ed Committee, but we didn't vote on the issue since the primary sponsor had to leave. 

Friday: Several bills were heard on the floor and passed on either 2nd or 3rd reading including: SB17-113 PERA employer caps; SB17-007 Gun Magazine Repeal, and SB17-055 known as the "Right to Work" bill. 

Up this week: I have two bills up for consideration this week: SB17-085 that would create a statewide fund to address attainable housing. The bill will be heard in the State Affairs Committee on Monday, February 13 at 1:30 pm. Also, SB17-102 concerning prohibitions affecting the student information that school service providers (such as SAT and ACT) collect, will be heard in the Education Committee on Wednesday, February 15 at 1:30 pm. Perhaps we will see you at the hearing!

Presenting my first bill in committee on Monday
Board closes one school; Swanson & Peck saved

It was a long, tense night at the Jeffco School Board meeting Thursday night. The Jeffco School Board were considering a list of budget-saving recommendations including the closure of two SD19 schools, Peck and Swanson Elementary.  

I attended the meeting and testified during public comment, urging the board to keep both Peck and Swanson open. You can see a copy of my comments HERE. Also, you can view the entire meeting, including my testimony that begins at 1:29:44, by clicking HERE.

After hearing  over 3 hours of public comment, the board voted to close one school, Pleasantview Elementary, and took the other four closures (Peck, Stober, Swanson, and Pennington Elementary Schools) off the table for this budget year. 

There was a packed house at the Jeffco School Board meeting Thursday night
What we heard this week

Most of the communication this week came from constituents urging me to vote "no" on SB17-113, a bill that would cap employer contribution rates for PERA, the Public Employees' Retirement Association. Despite voting "no", the bill passed on 3rd reading and will soon be heading to the House.

Also, we received a high number of emails from folks requesting that SB17-095 be sent to the Senate floor for a full debate. This bill would end the death penalty and replace it with life without the possibility of parole. The bill will be heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee--of which I am not a member. 

And finally, we heard from a large number of constituents in favor of SB17-099 that would move us from the Electoral College to a National Popular Vote. That bill will be heard in the State Affairs on Wednesday, February 15 at 1:30 pm. 
   
Check out the senate calendar for updates on bills and if you'd like to listen to the debate remotely, here is a link to watch and listen
Rachel Zenzinger
 
Rachel Zenzinger won election to the Colorado State Senate, representing District 19, in November 2016. Previously, she served in the same capacity during the 2014 legislative session. During the upcoming, 71st General Assembly, she will serve on the Senate Education Committee, Transportation Committee and the Student Safety and Youth in Crisis Committee.
Arvada/Westminster Legislative Town Meeting 

Join us this Saturday, February 18 for a bipartisan legislative town meeting, hosted by Representatives Tracy Kraft-Tharp, Lang Sias and myself, at Covenant Village, 9153 Yarrow St, Westminster, CO 80021 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. We will be talking about senior issues!  

Guest panelist for Front Range Community College
Tracking your Senator

On Monday we had a luncheon with the Volunteers of America... Tuesday I met with the League of Charter Schools and the Charter School Institute... Wednesday I attended the CO Association for Recycling's legislative reception... I also had dinner with the Colorado State Board of Education members, as well as members of both the House and Senate Education Committees... on Thursday I had lunch with the CO Wheat Growers Association... I also had a meeting with the Colorado Department of Education... and I attended the Jeffco School Board meeting... Friday I hosted approximately 50 people for Coffee With Constituents...I also served on a speaker's panel for Front Range Community College... and on Saturday I was a speaker at the Stand With Planned Parenthood rally at Skyline Park. If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!

Speakers at the Stand With Planned Parenthood Rally on Saturday

Upcoming One Colorado event in Arvada

Join One Colorado, the state's leading advocacy organization for LGBTQ Coloradans and their families, for their "We Are One Colorado" tour stop in Arvada on March 1st to find out how they plan to build on--and protect--their victories and continue to advance equality for all lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer Coloradans and their families. The event will take place at the First United Church of Arvada, 7195 Simms St, Arvada CO 80004 on Wednesday, March 1 from 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm. RSVP.

With Laura "Pinky" Reinsch, Political Director of ONE Colorado at rally
Educators for Justice rally

Join the Educators for Justice organization for a rally on Monday, February 20 at 1:00 pm in Civic Center Park at the Greek Amphitheater in Denver. Join them in solidarity as they raise their voices to support our locoal communities in oppostition to anti-public education and anti-social justice institutions. For more information, go visit the Educators for Justice facebook site

With education advocate & constituent, Jonna Levine, at Jeffco Board meeting
Donations
 

Can you help us with a contribution? While the campaign activity has concluded, we still need your help so that we may continue keeping in touch with SD19 voters. Your contribution helps us pay for brochures, direct mail, the website, newsletter, and other tools to help make voters aware of what is happening down at the State Capitol. THANKS!  

 

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Contact Information
  
200 E. Colfax Avenue
Room 339
Denver, CO 80203
303-866-4840
  
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