Have you ever been out on your motorcycle and you get stopped at a red light, and all you do is sit, and sit, and sit, waiting for the light to change, and it never does?
Bill Signing Ceremony for SB19-039 on
Interdistrict Transportation of Students
It turns out, that depending on the type of light signal you are stopped at, this is an all too common occurrence. That's because some signals are triggered by a device called an inductor loop, a wire in the asphalt that senses a change in frequency of the electromagnetic field over the coil of wire when a car pulls up.
Most people think the lights are triggered by weight, but they are actually triggered by the amount of metal mass that interrupts the frequency. Motorcycles get caught at these lights because they don't have enough metal mass to trigger the light.
Senate Bill 144 was written to address this problem. Twelve other states have a law called "safe on red" or "ride on red" that allow motorcyclists to run through the red light as long as they stop first and wait to determine if the light will change. And if it is an inductive loop light, chances are it never will. This doesn't mean, however, that motorcyclists can treat every red light as a stop sign.
The bill will be heard in the Transportation Committee this coming Tuesday at 2 pm.
Bill to cap county campaigns passes out of committee
On Monday of last week, I passed HB19-1007 out of the State Affairs Committee. This bill will establish limits under the "Fair Campaign Practices Act" for candidates for county offices. The bill now heads to the Appropriations Committee for consideration.
Bill Signing for HB19-1062 on the
Grand Junction Regional Center
Fair elections are one of the most important parts of American democracy. Limiting campaign contributions for county offices isn't a red or a blue issue, it is the right thing to do that will protect and uphold our democracy at the local level.
Current state law does not set campaign contribution limits for county offices. This bill would set the contribution limit for the primary and general elections at $1,250 for an individual, $12,500 for a small donor committee, and $22,125 for a political party. The limits are to be adjusted for inflation over time.
HB19-1007 also requires disclosure of campaign finance information and the filing of disclosure reports for contributions made to or received by a candidate for a county office.
It is important to encourage transparency in elections of all levels, and this legislation will lead to clearer, more honest elections throughout Colorado.
What's happening in JBC?
This week in JBC we will continue with figure setting in preparation for the budget, but the big day will be on Friday where we will hear the March forecast from our budget analysts.
Monday, March 11
1:30 Consideration of Figure Setting Recommendations for the Departments of Public Safety and Corrections (Will be Held in LSB-B)
Tuesday, March 12
Upon Adjournment Consideration of Figure Setting Recommendations for the Department of Higher Education and Operating Common Policies
2:00 Continuation of Figure Setting Recommendations as Needed
Wednesday, March 13
1:30 Consideration of Figure Setting Recommendations for the Departments of Health Care Policy and Financing, Human Services, and Law
Thursday, March 14
Upon Adjournment Consideration of Figure Setting Recommendations for the Department of Revenue, Capital Construction Information Technology Projects, and Information Technology Common Policies
1:30 Continuation of Figure Setting Recommendations as Needed
Friday, March 15
Upon Adjournment March Quarterly Revenue Forecast with Legislative Council Staff & Office of State Planning and Budgeting Staff (Will be Held in LSB-A) Upon Adjournment of Revenue Forecast Consideration of Figure Setting Comebacks for JBC Staff
1:30 Continuation of Revenue Forecast and Figure Setting Recommendations as Needed
Celebrating International Women's Day with the women legislators of the Senate
Rachel Zenzinger
Rachel Zenzinger won election to the Colorado State Senate, representing District 19, in November 2016. She also served as Senator for SD19 in 2014. Sen. Zenzinger is a member of the Joint Budget Committee, the Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, a member of the Statutory Revision Committee, a member of the Interim School Finance Committee, and a board member of the Statewide Internet Portal Authority.
'Coffee With Constituents' Thursday, March 14
Please plan on joining me this Thursday, March 14 from 7 am - 8 am for Coffee With Constituents. We will be returning to Morning Story Restaurant, 8025 Sheridan Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003. They will have menus available to order breakfast (at your own expense) and the coffee will be on us!
With Dan Kester of Sooper Credit Union for Chamber's After Hours
Monthly 'Town Hall' event Saturday, March 16
Please join Reps. Brianna Titone and Tracy Kraft-Tharp, and myself, for our monthly Town Hall Meeting on Saturday, March 16 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm. This month's topic is transportation, and will feature two representatives of CDOT, Bob Fifer and Andy Karsian, who will discuss innovations in transportation. The meeting will take place at Covenant Village, 9153 Yarrow St, Westminster, CO 80021. Hope to see you there!
Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative students at the Capitol
Tracking your Senator
On Monday, we welcomed the
County Clerks Association, including Jeffco's clerk,
George Stern... I participated in a conference committee on
SB19-128... I passed
HB19-1007 on county campaign limits out of Senate State Affairs... The JBC also voted on figure setting for the
Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF)... On Tuesday, I attended the
Women's Foundation Legislative Breakfast... The JBC voted on figure setting for the
Offices of Behavioral Health, housed in the
Department of Human Services and
Department of Healthcare Policy and Financing... And figure setting for the
Department of Health and Environment... I attended the
Colorado Contractors annual board meeting... On Wednesday, I attended the
Colorado Bankers Association legislative luncheon... The JBC voted on figure setting for the
Department of Education... I met with the
Colorado Department of Higher Education... I attended the
Arvada Chamber Business After Hours at
Sooper Credit Union... On Thursday, I attended the joint JBC and
Capital Development Committee meeting to discuss the Capital Development priority list... I attended the
SIPA Board meeting... I had a bill signing for
SB39, SB70, SB80 and
HB1062... The JBC voted on figure setting for the
Department of Human Services- OIT, Youth Services, County Admin, Self Sufficiency, Adult Assistance, and Early Childhood... On Friday, I chaired the
Senate Appropriations Committee... I presented a tribute to student participants of the
Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative... I attended our first
Statutory Revision Committee meeting of the year, but it was delayed due to House floor work... The JBC voted on figure setting for the
Judicial Branch and Department of Natural Resources... On Saturday, I attended the
Rocky Mountain News Anniversary dinner.
With Jefferson County Clerk
George Stern
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
Donations to
Rachel For Colorado
Can you help us by making a contribution? While the campaign activity has concluded, we still need your help so that we may continue keeping in touch with constituents. Your contribution helps pay for events, direct mail, the website, newsletter, and other tools that make voters aware of what is happening down at the State Capitol. THANK YOU!
