Preparing for the season and the session

Just as you prepare for the holiday season, legislators are also busy preparing for the new legislative session. Typically the legislaure, also known as the General Assembly, meets for two regular sessions, each one lasting for 120 days, spanning a two-year time period. Then an election occurs and a new general assembly forms. We are currently gearing up for the Second Regular Session of the 74th General Assembly, which will convene on Wednesday, January 10, 2024.

The tone of the second regular session tends to be different than the first. Notably, the second session occurs during an election year, which changes the dynamic, depending on what is happening at the national level. As a result, legislators will often act in a more measured manner. We also tend to see an increase in "statement bills" that have no chance of passing but can be called up during re-election efforts. Newer legislators are no longer new, which tends to give them more confidence, leading to bolder and riskier legislation that may not pass but starts a conversation. Finally, there will be a handful of legislators like me entering ther final session. Since it is our last opportunity to make a difference, we tend to narrow our focus to whatever goals are left undone. For me, that translates into affordable housing.

Each year I center my legislative agenda on the most pressing issues facing our district. Since this is my final session, I decided to take stock of what we have accomplished and what remains to be addressed. I noticed over the years that many of the issues have remained fairly consistent, with education, transportation, and the economy dominating the list. More recently, environmental issues and health care affordability have become more pressing. Most notably, however, housing affordability has surged to the top of the list. For these reasons, I have narrowed my first three bills to touch on affordable housing in some form. I'll have more details on these, as well as my final two bills, next month when we deliver our legislative preview at the town hall meeting in January. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy the hustle and bustle of this busy time of year, and please take time to enjoy each other's company!

In mid-November, the six-member bicamaral and bipartisan Joint Budget Committee started working on the FY2024-25 budget. Due to the Special Session, we had to reshuffle our schedule. To view our updated schedule, click HERE. Following that brief interruption, we re-initiated our briefing and hearing schedule. Below is a summary of our work over the last two weeks.

Monday, November 27: The JBC met to hear non-partisan staff briefings for the Department of Personnel and Operating Common Policies, Compensation Common Policies and PERA, the Department of Treasury, the Department of State, and the Department of Transportation.

Tuesday, November 28: The JBC heard a presentation by the Department of Health Care Policy & Finance concerning provider rate recommendations, a presentation by the Medicaid Provider Rate Review Advisory Committee concerning provider rate recommendations, and nonpartisan staff briefings for Medicaid Provider Rate Review Schedule and the Departments of Local Affairs, Law, and Labor & Employment.

Wednesday, November 29: The JBC heard a presentation from DPA's Executive Director concerning the Annual State Employee Compensation Report, held a hearing with the Public Employees' Retirement Association, and heard nonpartisan staff briefings for the Departments of Agriculture and Military & Veterans Affairs.

Thursday, November 30: The JBC heard nonpartisan staff briefings for the Departments of Human Services and Education.

Friday, December 1: The JBC heard nonpartisan briefings for the Departments of Early Childhood and Natural Resources.

Monday, December 4: The JBC met to hear nonpartisan staff briefings on the Departments of Human Services, Public Health & Environment, and Public Safety.

Tuesday, December 5: The JBC heard a nonpartisan staff briefing for the Judicial Department and Independent Agencies, hearings with the Departments of State and Local Affairs, and a nonpartisan staff briefing for the Department of Revenue.

Wednesday, December 6: The JBC heard a nonpartisan staff briefing for the Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Justice and Department of Corrections, and hearings with the Department of Agriculture and Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, and a nonpartisan staff briefing for the Department of Education Assistance to Public Schools.

Thursday, December 7: The JBC held a hearing with the Department of Law, heard nonpartisan staff briefings for the Department of Human Services and Health Care Policy & Financing, held a hearing with the Department of Labor & Employment, and heard nonpartisan staff briefings for the Office of the Governor including a briefing for the Colorado Energy Office.

Friday, December 8: The JBC held hearings with the Departments of Natural Resources, Transportation, and Personnel.

The JBC will next meet Monday, December 11th at 9:00AM for nonpartisan staff briefings for the Departments of Health Care Policy and Financing, Public Health & Environment, and Regulatory Agencies. For more information or to see the agenda, click HERE.

For the week of November 27 and December 4, here are a list of some of the activities that I have attended.

• Toured Emily Griffith Technical College 
• Reception in support of Construction and Housing Champions
• Bill Signing Ceremony for SB23B-002 at Swanson Elementary in Arvada
• Meeting with stakeholders to discuss Child Welfare Kinship bill
• Empty Bowls at Arvada High School
• Received "Legislator of the Year" award from CIADA 
• Meeting with the Colorado Voters for Animals to discuss legislation
• Meeting with stakeholders to discuss higher education funding
• Interviewed by the Colorado Sun about K-12 School Finance
• Attended the Governor's holiday party at the Boettcher Mansion
• Received "Political Courage" award from One Main Street Colorado
• Attended the Jeffco Dems "Champagne and Chocolates" event

The Lyons Recorder: Six Bills passed in Colorado legislature Special Session on taxes, refunds, benefits

The Prowers Journal: SIGNED! Bill to Reduce Child Hunger, Support Working Families

The Western Journal: Blue City Mayor Has His Car Stolen for the Second Time

Montrose Daily Press: Colorado could be among first states in federal childhood hunger reduction program

Colorado Newsline: Colorado lawmakers pass property tax relief as special session wraps up

Reminder: No Legislative Town Hall in December



Just a quick reminder that we will resume our regular Legislative Town Hall events in January 2024. We will NOT be meeting in December. Our first town hall of the new session will be on Saturday, January 20, 2024 at 10:30 am. We will provide the community with a legislative preview. For more information, please go to my website or click HERE.

I want to thank the many folks who came into Downtown Denver last week for the fundraiser in support of my campaign for Jeffco Commissioner. It was very touching to see such a diverse crowd of supporters! We were fortunate to be joined by several elected officials including Commissioners Lesley Dahlkemper and Andy Kerr, Arvada Mayor Lauren Simpson, and Westminster City Councilors Claire Carmelia and Amber Hott. I’m especially grateful to my hosts for the evening, R.D. Sewald, Josh Hanfling, and David Davia. If you were unable to attend but would still like to donate, click HERE.

Congresswoman Pettersen endorses Zenzinger

“I had the privilege of working with Rachel in the state legilsature and have seen firsthand her dedication, passion and effectiveness as a public servant. She cares deeply about Jefferson County and there is nobody who will work harder and fight for our community. I’m proud to endorse her for Commissioner.”  

—Brittany Pettersen, U.S. Representative

Endorsements of Rachel Zenzinger's campaign for Jeffco Commissioner are pouring in! To view the latest, click HERE. If you'd like to join the list of supporters, please send an email to: rachelforcolorado@gmail.com.