Happy Valentine's Day! I am happy to be celebrating this lovely holiday at home with my husband--especially given the cold temperatures outside--as well as tomorrow's President's Day, before heading back to the legislature on Tuesday. I am loving the fact that our month-long recess is coming to a close, and I fully expect to hit the ground running once we return.

On Tuesday, the Senate will convene at 10 AM and will essentially "go through the motions" of beginning our 2021 session all over again. Due to the recess, however, I expect the pace of session will pick up quickly, including committee hearings on bills our first day! Here is a list of 2021 Bills Authorized by Sponsors for Pre-Release that will likely be introduced and immediately assigned to committee.

The Governor will be delivering his traditional "State of the State" speech on Wednesday, February 17 at 11 AM. I am excited to have been chosen as one of the legislators to accompany the Governor to the House podium to deliver his speech. The event will be televised from the House Chamber and you can watch it online by clicking HERE.

On Thursday, February 18 at 10 AM, we will hear Chief Justice Brian Boatright deliver a "State of the Judiciary" address. Given all the current controversy surrounding the judicial branch right now, his speech should prove to be very interesting. It is my understanding that this address may not be televised, but you can still watch it live by clicking on the "Listen to House" button HERE.

Also on Thursday, the Senate Education Committee will meet at 1:30 PM and we will hear three Senate bills:

Due to the pandemic, we are encouraging folks to attend these hearings remotely if possible.

Finally, I hope you will join Representatives Brianna Titone, Lindsey Daugherty and myself for a virtual Legislative Town Hall meeting on Saturday, February 20 at 10:30 AM. We will be discussing the legislative process and will preview the legislation we are working on this session. You can find more information on how to participate on the events page of my website.

Since last week, I have had the pleasure of speaking on several panels, as well as meet with a number of groups, to discuss hot topics in education. The number one issue, so far, is the unresolved question around CMAS tests. I have been writing about this issue for several weeks now, and with the legislature convening next week, the issue is about to become even more pressing.

One of the groups I met with was the Coloradans for the Common Good, a broad-based organization comprised of local institutions, congregations, unions, educational institutions, non-profits, and neighborhood organizations who share a concern for families and a passion for democracy. They have chosen the suspension of CMAS tests this spring as one of their main legislative priorities. I listened to the testimony of several parents from the group who discussed their grave concerns about administering the test this spring, particularly the impact on their children's mental health.

I also heard from a local education group about this issue as well. Support Jeffco Kids shared with me the results of a poll they conducted about whether to move forward with CMAS, and their respondents were overwhelmingly opposed. There were 1028 respondents, 875 of which were parents, and 95% said NO to CMAS. Many of their respondent's reasons echoed the type of reasons I received in my own poll, ranging from too much disruption, the loss of instruction time to take the test, and the impact to their children's mental health.

In addition to these community and parents groups, over a dozen local school boards have reached out to me as well, with resolutions urging the State to pause CMAS. Many of the resolutions cite the mental health of students and staff, as well as the fact that the data will not be available until next fall. Many of the boards note that there are more appropriate interim assessments that could be used as data points to determine student academic growth, rather than CMAS.

The bill to request a waiver from the federal government to suspend CMAS tests this spring will be introduced in the House next week, and scheduled for committee soon after. If you still have not shared your opinion, you may still do so by filling out my poll HERE.

During our month-long recess, the State Senate has moved forward with several sunset hearings for various programs and/or agencies. The General Assembly sets specific dates that a particular agency, board, or function of government will terminate unless the legislature passes new legislation to continue. Two agencies connected to education were up for renewal this past week: the Colorado Special Education Fiscal Advisory Committee (SEFAC), and the Council of Higher Education Representatives.

According to a memo issued by officials in the Department of Regulatory Agencies on the two advisory boards, they note that: "SEFAC was established in House Bill 06-1375, to provide application processes and funding for high-cost reimbursement grants and also to provide reports and recommendations to the legislature regarding applications, awards, and special education funding appropriations."

Regarding the Council of Higher Education Representatives, the memo further states: "The Council was established in House Bill 01-1298 to enable streamlined transferability between and among all public, postsecondary institutions within Colorado. Such streamlined transferability is critical to student success and serves to enhance retention, progression and completion of baccalaureate degrees."

DORA recommended renewal of both advisory councils and the bills to do so were adopted by the committee. Newly elected member of the Senate, Janet Buckner, will carry the bill for Council of Higher Education Representatives, and I will be carrying the SEFAC bill.

On Monday... I attended a reproductive health briefing by PPRM... I attended an education stakeholder meeting with CASE, CASB, Rural Alliance, AFT, and CEA... On Tuesday... I attended and spoke on a panel at the BOCES Winter Meeting... I met with the leadership team of the Coloradans for the Common Good... I met with the MEP Alliance, a group of mechanical, electrical, and plumbing unions and trade associations to discuss apprenticeship programs... I attended a City of Westminster elected officials reception... On Wednesday... I attended the weekly COVID update with JCPH, Mayors and County officials... I attended and was a guest panelist for the COSI (Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative) Day at the Capitol... I attended a briefing on "Exploring the Impacts, Outcomes & Needed Clarifications to SB20-217" presented by the Colorado Sheriffs and Police Chiefs associations... I attended an education stakeholder meeting with DFER, Stand for Children, Colorado Children's Campaign, CSI, and the League of Charter Schools... On Thursday... I attended a meeting with COKID to discuss dyslexia issues and legislation... I received a Board orientation for CHFA... I chaired the Senate Education Committee's Sunset Hearings... I attended an event hosted by the Coloradans for the Common Good... On Friday... I attended a meeting with Colorado Mesa University President Tim Foster... I attended a COVID briefing presented by CDPHE... I attended a meeting to discuss recommendations of the Education System Resiliency and Innovation Initiative... I met with Governor Polis to review my legislative agenda... I received recognition from the Colorado Association of Cyberschool Families as one of their "Golden Apple Award" winners.

Mark your calendar for our next virtual town hall meeting! We will be presenting a legislative preview and giving an overview of the legislative process. We will cover topics such as how a bill becomes a law, what bills we plan to carry, and how you can participate. Click here for details!