Higher ed bill helps transfer students and lowers costs
My first bill of the session will head to the Education Committee this Thursday.
Senate Bill 18-069 concerns the enforcement of statewide degree transfer agreements between community colleges and institutions of higher education.
When working on a bill, a key question to ask is, "what is the problem you are trying to solve?" In this instance, students transferring from a community college with their Associate's Degree are sometimes required to retake or
complete additional lower-division general education courses in order to complete their baccalaureate degree.
This requirement extends the length of time to complete their degree, increases tuition costs, violates the transfer agreement, and is usually unnecessary. If students must retake a course, the bill requires the institution to pick up the cost of tuition for any required credit hours above 120 credit hours.
We believe this bill will help enforce our statewide
degree transfer agreements. And, if this practice is deemed necessary, then we must amend the transfer agreement to ensure greater transparency. Students have a right to know which courses will and will not transfer, so that their college journey is as efficient and cost-effective as possible.
Senate Education Committee listening to
CMU President Tim Foster
Cutting education won't fix our roads
Last session, a handful of far-right lawmakers in the State Senate derailed a comprehensive statewide transportation plan by blocking it from the ballot and rejecting last year's bipartisan process. And now, with Senate Bill 18-001, they've embraced a funding scheme that fails to fix our roads, keep pace with population growth, and it loots money normally set aside for healthcare and education.
CDOT estimates that it will cost $9.8 billion over the next 10 years to fix our transportation infrastructure. SB18-001 would provide $3.5 billion--about one third of what's needed to keep pace with Colorado's rapid growth.
To pay for their plan, Senate Republicans propose diverting money from the Colorado General Fund to transportation infrastructure projects. That's $350 million per year that would otherwise go toward education and healthcare. The plan is skimpy on the specifics, punting to some future state legislature the question of which programs would absorb the consequences.
Coloradans have made it clear that they don't want to be forced to choose between a good education, healthcare, and transportation. We've spent years working toward a bipartisan solution that provides for all of the above, and now it's sitting on the shelf just waiting for legislators to put it to a vote of the people.
SB18-001 heads to the Senate Transportation Committee on Tuesday.
Recognizing Christine Wares, owner of
Kokopelli Beer Company
Rachel Zenzinger
Rachel Zenzinger won election to the Colorado State Senate, representing District 19, in November 2016. She serves on the Senate Trasnportation Committee, Education Committee, and Statutory Revision Committee. She is also a member of several interim committees including the CDOT Efficiency and Accountability Committee and the School Finance Interim Committee.
Coffee With Constituents
Mark your calendar for our next Coffee With Constituents event on Friday, February 9 at 7:00 am, at the Indian Tree Golf Club, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003.
With Harriet Hall at Behavioral Health Care Council Day at the Capitol
Tracking your Senator
On Monday, we celebrated
Martin Luther King Jr. Day... On Tuesday, I met with members of the
CSU Board of Trustees... I also met with
CHFA, the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority... And, I attended the
One Colorado legislative reception... On Wednesday, I attended the
US36 Mayors and Commissioners Coalition breakfast... We also had our first
Senate Education meeting where we heard from
Colorado Mesa University President and Board Members... I also attended the
Behavioral Health Care Council's day at the Capitol luncheon and met with the
Jefferson Center for Mental Health group... I also attended the
Colorado Association of Home Builders legislative reception... And we hosted our first
"What's Brewing at the Capitol?" at Kokopelli Beer Company... On Thursday, I attended the
County Human Services legislative breakfast... I also met with
Westminster Mayor Atchison to discuss the city's legislative priorities... I also met with Lance Hostetter of
America Achieves... I attended the
Jeffco Associations Legislative Forum kickoff... And, I attended the
Colorado Society of Association Executives reception... On Friday, I attended the
Arvada Chamber's 3rd Friday Breakfast... The
Statutory Revision Committee met... And, on Saturday, I co-hosted a pre-march breakfast for the
Women's March... We also had our first
Arvada and Westminster Legislative Town Hall where we hear from RTD about the Gold Line.
Senators Kerry Donovan, Andy Kerr, Angela Williams, and candidates Lesley Dahlkemper, Tammy Story and Kris Teegardin at the Women's March
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
Donations
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