The week before last I was out of town visiting prospective colleges with my kids and therefore I was unable to send out my usual update. That means I have a ton of news to share this week!

First, it was budget week in the Senate. From a high level, what you need to know about this year's budget is that it largely restores many of the major cuts we had to make last year due to the pandemic. Overall, the $34.6 billion budget includes funding for the day-to-day operations of state government. We were able to restore funding to education and higher education to their pre-pandemic levels, and we invested some additional funding in areas that address our vulnerable populations in the state, such as medical and long-term services and supports, hospitals, and behavioral health. For more details on the budget, click HERE.

Additionally, the budget set aside money for current legislation and $800 for the legislative stimulus package, which includes money to support agricultural communities, infrastructure, rural economic development, school investment, utility aid, and job creation. That package was introduced last week, and you can read more about the introduced bills, including my bill SB21-232 COSI Displaced Worker Grants, by clicking HERE.

Even though this year's budget restores many of the cuts we made last year and invests funds in some key areas to help with our recovery, there were still several amendments to the budget that were offered and passed in the Senate. I proposed three amendments, two of which successfully passed, including $10 million for special education and a 2% provider rate increase for emergency medical transport. In addition we approved of several other amendments such as additional funds for the Body-Worn Cameras Grant Program for law enforcement, a Chief Education Equity Officer in the Department of Higher Education, and money for behavioral health programs to treat opioid addiction. We also added money for programs to address school bullying and prevention, domestic abuse, disability benefits assistance, affordable housing, suicide prevention, and school-based health centers.

The budget also contained a number of set-asides for legislation still making its way through the process, such as my bill SB21-185 on Supporting Educator Workforce. The bill successfully passed through the Education Committee the week before last and was referred to the Senate Appropriations Committee. The bill seeks to reduce the teacher shortage in Colorado, develop a workforce that more closely reflects the diversity of Colorado's students, elevate the teaching profession, expand pathways into the profession, and raise the profile of all pathways into the education workforce.

And lastly, the budget set aside some money for legislation to address our dire transportation needs. While most of those needs will be addressed in a bill that has yet to be introduced by my colleagues Senators Winter and Fenberg, some of the money will be set aside for my newly introduced bill SB21-238, which will create a Front Range Passenger Rail District. While this legislation will merely create the district, it does open up the possibility of accepting some potential federal funds to get the passenger rail started, as well as partner with the RTD to assist in completing the Northwest Rail line.

While I know that many other things happened last week and the week before, those were the big highlights. We are 58 days into our 120-day session, and many big bills have only now been introduced or are making their way through their first chamber. Even though we are midway through the session, the downhill side of session always speeds up, so stay tuned for more big developments!

Colorado exceeds two million vaccinated: As of yesterday, the State of Colorado achieved a major milestone in vaccination distribution, with more than two millions Coloradans receiving their COVID-19 vaccination. As vaccination efforts continue, please continue being cautious and employ strategies for staying safe such as wearing a mask and social distancing. To learn more about where you can get vaccinated visit: https://covid19.colorado.gov/for-coloradans/vaccine/where-can-i-get-vaccinated or you can call 1-877-CO VAX CO. 

CDPHE moves Jeffco to Yellow on COVID-19 Dial: Despite the majority of the state moving to a lower level on the COVID-19 Dial, Jefferson County moved back up to level Yellow as of April 9. This move was based on the increase in COVID-19 case incidence rate, test positivity rate, and hospitalizations. For more information on what this means for Jefferson County, visit the Jefferson County Public Health website at: https://www.jeffco.us/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1534.

All Coloradans 16+ eligible for COVID-19 Vaccine: As part of the Vaccines for All effort, the Governor has launched several State Community Vaccination Sites, including one at Dick's Sporting Good Park in Commerce City. All vaccines are free with no co-pay. The drive-through clinic will run Sunday through Wednesday, from 9 am - 5 pm. Individuals who are eligible to receive the vaccine can register HERE or by calling 720-263-5737.

SB21-238 Create Front Range Passenger Rail District: Concerning the front range passenger rail district, and, in connection therewith, creating the district for the purpose of planning, designing, developing, financing, constructing, operating, and maintaining a passenger rail system and specifying the territory, governing structure, powers, and duties of the district.

SB21-232 Displaced Workers Grant: Concerning an appropriation to the department of higher education for the Colorado Opportunity Initiative's displaced workers grant. The bill will be heard in the Education Committee on Wednesday, April 14 upon adjournment.

SB21-038 Expansion of Complementary and Alternative Medicine: Concerning an expansion of the complementary or alternative medicine pilot program for a person with a primary condition resulting in the total inability for independent ambulation, and, in connection therewith, making an appropriation. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and heads to the House.

HB21-1178 Correcting Errors in the Colorado Marijuana Code: Concerning correcting nonsubsstantive errors in the Colorado marijuana code. This bill will be heard in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on Wednesday, April 14 upon adjournment.

HB21-1156 Fix Defects Related to Severance Withholdings: Concerning the correction of statutory defects related to severance tax withholdings from a disbursement to an oil and gas interest owner. This bill will be heard in the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday, April 14 at 1:30 pm.

HB21-1155 Sales Tax Statute Modifications to Address Defects: Concerning modifications to the sales and use tax statutes in order to address certain defects and anachronisms. This bill will be heard in the Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committee on Wednesday, April 14 at 1:30 pm.

HB21-1152 Repeal Obsolete Capitol Dome Restoration Fund: Concerning the repeal of statutes related to the obsolete capitol dome restoration fund. This bill passed the Senate and will now head to the Governor's desk.

HB21-1146 Auricular Acudetox Professional Practice: Concerning the practice of auricular acudetox by a professional, and in connection therewith, clarifying that in order to perform auricular acudetox, a person does not need to be licensed, certified, or registered as a mental health professional. This bill will be heard in the Senate Health and Human Services Committee on Monday, April 12 at 1:30 pm.

HB21-1099 Policies and Procedures to Identify Domestic Abuse: Concerning authorization to implement best practices for child welfare caseworkers to recognize domestic abuse, and in connection therewith, addressing domestic abuse as a form of child abuse or neglect, and making an appropriation. This bill passed through the House and was introduced in the Senate.

HB21-1083 State Board Assessment Appeals Valuation Adjustment: Concerning the modification on appeal of property valuation set by the county board of equalization. The Governor signed the bill into law.

On Monday... I met with education stakeholders to discuss upcoming legislation... I passed my bill HB21-1152 on repealing the obsolete capitol dome fund out of Senate Finance... I met with the Governor's office to discuss board appointments... On Tuesday... I met with Conservation Colorado to discuss climate change legislation... I met with advocates to discuss legislation to reform Metro Districts... I heard bills in the Transportation Committee... I passed my bill SB21-038 on Complementary and Alternative Medicine for non-ambulatory individuals... On Wednesday... I chaired the Senate Education Committee... we had a public caucus on the budget... I met with education stakeholders to discuss legislation... I met with individuals from CHFA... On Thursday... We debated the budget... I passed two amendments to the budget... SB21-1083 was signed into law... On Friday... We passed the budget out of the Senate... I passed my bill HB21-1152 repealing the obsolete capitol dome fund... I chaired the Committee of the Whole... On Saturday... I was a guest speaker for Rep. Jennifer Bacon's town hall meeting to address education topics.

Grand Junction Daily Sentinel: Colorado Senate OKs $34 billion budget

Colorado Politics: Garcia introduces bill to create Front Range Rail District

Denver Business Journal: New bill could turn Front Range Passenger Rail into reality

Chalkbeat Colorado: Colorado Senate adds special ed funding, chief equity officer position to 2022 budget

The Denver Channel: Colorado House passes bill to better protect children from domestic abuse after Ty Tesoriero murder

Denver Gazette: Senate approves 2021-22 state budget on preliminary vote

Public Education and Business Coalition: Legislation to support the educator workforce in Colorado

Denver Gazette: Democrats try again to ban plastic single-use bags in omnibus bill, but competing bill has bipartisan support

Colorado Politics: CAPITOL M, week of April 3, 2021 | Rounding up the April Fools' fun

EIN News: Bill to Support Colorado's Educator Workforce Clears Committee!

The Chronicle News: Colorado lawmakers introduce round of stimulus plan bills

Colorado Politics: Senate kills school setback bill

The Center Square: Colorado lawmakers introduce round of stimulus plan bills

Denver Gazette: House and Senate Democrats introduce next round of Colorado stimulus bills

The Colorado Sun: Foster youth who leave the system as teens could return until age 21 under new Colorado proposal

The Chronicle News: Feds approve Colorado’s reduced assessment plan for students

Albuquerque Journal: Colorado to scale back its school standardized testing

Fox21 News: Colorado to scale back its school standardized testing

In honor of Earth Week we will be discussing climate change legislation with guests from Western Resource Advocates, Mountain Mamas, and Eco-Cycle. We will also welcome Congressman Ed Perlmutter who will discuss the American Recovery Act.