We spent most of our time in the Senate last week debating Senate Bill 181 on the regulation of oil and gas. I received hundreds of emails, phone calls, and even in-person visits. Because there were many different aspects to consider, it would be an oversimplification to divide people into just two camps. Nevertheless, the general split from Arvada and Westminster generated 154 emails in support and 133 in opposition. I received approximately 601 emails from outside the district in support, and 257 from outside the district in opposition.
I was the chair during the Committee of the Whole debate of SB19-181
I saw it as my job not to just vote with the majority of people who provided feedback, but to recognize that there were at least a 133 reasons to approach this issue with caution. I did not come to a decision until I saw the final bill, but ultimately, I felt the final version reflected the best and most balanced approach and it earned my support.
The bill that came to the Senate was not the same bill that left. Before I cast my vote there were numerous amendments brought and passed by members on both sides of the aisle. The features of the bill that moved forward were an agreement on how mineral rights holders could have a stronger say in the sale of their assets, a requirement that the COGCC have a more balanced board drawing on experts from both industry as well as public health and safety, a more neutral statement of the regulatory mission of the COGCC, and a determination that companies should help with the remediation of orphan wells.
The legislature had a lengthy debate about the voter's intent of the two ballot decisions that touched on oil and gas in 2018. The first was Proposition 112 on setbacks; the other was Amendment 74, which the oil and gas industry put forward as a way to block regulation. By rejecting both measures the voters clearly marked the borders of the discussion. The charge of the legislature was to find a balance between the "no recognition of public health and safety at all" approach of Amendment 74, and the "one size fits all" approach of Proposition 112. The answer was to foster greater local control, empowering communities to make decisions that are right for their unique jurisdictions.
Everyone who wrote to me had a strong reason to reach out, and for many, there is no comfort in the word "balance." If that is how you feel, let me stress that balance does not have to be compromise. It can be accommodation. It can be finding the line where everyone's individual interests, while different, are not necessarily conflicting. This bill has only made its way through the first Chamber, and I expect there will be many more debates and changes to come.
March $$ forecast: optimistic but slowing
Friday was a big day for the Joint Budget Committee. We received the March revenue forecast from our state economists and the news was... just okay. It looks as if economic activity continues to expand in Colorado, but our momentum has slowed.
Metro North Chamber Big Event with Paula Mehle of Firestone, Troy Whitmore of United Power, & Bobbi Sindelare, Mayor of Firestone
According to the analysts, wages continue to rise in Colorado, yet consumer activity has slowed. Manufacturing activity has also slowed due to global economic conditions. One big factor is that trade tensions pose ongoing uncertainty for several industries, thereby impacting our supply chain, demand and prices. Most notably, tariffs and the global economic slowdown are dampening Colorado export activity.
What does all this mean? The budget forecast is not a red or a blue issue, and regardless of party, we must be smart with our decisions and balance many competing priorities with the need for fiscal responsibility. The JBC takes these decisions very seriously, and will carefully identify what our biggest financial needs are as we finalize our state's budget this week. We expect to introduce the Budget (Long Bill) next Monday.
Three ways you can keep up with the State Senate
Several folks have asked that I update you on bills that passed this week and how I voted. Since we vote on as few as one and as many as 30 bills per day, the report would be too lengthy to write up. However, here is a link to the
Senate Journal. The Journal chronicles
the previous day's business in successive order. It includes everything from legislation passage and vote counts to tributes and committee reports.
With constituents and members of Together Colorado, Marie Venner and Doug Nelson
The Secretary of the Senate is also required to keep a docket of all bills, resolutions, and memorials introduced in the Senate or received from the House of Representatives. This is known as the Senate Status Sheet, and it shows the current status of all bills, including every action taken on each piece of legislation through the legislative process.
And finally, if you are curious about what is on our agenda for the coming week, here is a link to the
Senate Calendar.
The calendar contains the schedule of bills, resolutions, and memorials that the Senate can either consider as a body or in one of its committees of reference. The Senate schedule is fluid; with a vote of the Senate, scheduled items can be laid over to a later date or considered out of order, or new items can be brought up on special orders.
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.
Next 'Brewing' event at Twenty
Brew TapHouse
Our next "What's Brewing at the Capitol" event will take place in Westminster at the Twenty Brew TapHouse,
11187 Sheridan Boulevard #10, Westminster, CO 80020. This is an informal event where you can have a craft beer with your Senator and discuss the latest happenings at the Capitol. We plan to meet from 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. Hope to see you there!
Andy Karsian from CDOT talking about technology in transportation
What's happening in the JBC this week?
Monday, March 18
1:30 Consideration of Legal Services Rate Setting, Updated Projection of Funds in the Marijuana Tax Cash Fund that are Available for Appropriation, Consideration of Figure Setting Comebacks for OSPB and Elected Officials, and Meet as Necessary to Finalize the FY 2019-20 Long Bill
Tuesday, March 19
Upon Adjournment Meet as Necessary to Finalize the FY 2019-20 Long Bill
2:00 Meet as Necessary to Finalize the FY 2019-20 Long Bill
Wednesday, March 20
Upon Adjournment Meet as Necessary to Finalize the FY 2019-20 Long Bill
1:30 Consideration of Potential Legislation & Meet as Necessary to Finalize the FY 2019- 20 Long Bill
Thursday, March 21
Upon Adjournment Meet as Necessary to Finalize the FY 2019-20 Long Bill
1:30 Meet as Necessary to Finalize the FY 2019-20 Long Bill
On Monday, Lukas Elementary came to the Capitol to visit... I met with the new director of
CDHE, Angie Paccione... The JBC met late on Monday to hear figure setting for the
Department of Corrections and the
Department of Public Safety... I was interviewed by
Channel 9 News about Senate Bill 144...
On Tuesday, I attended the
Together Colorado legislative breakfast... I chaired the
Committee of the Whole in the afternoon during the debate over Senate Bill 181...
On Wednesday, I came in for Senate floor work but did not stay due to the storm... But the JBC carried on without me and heard figure setting for
HCPF, Department of Law, and Higher Ed...
On Thursday, the JBC reviewed items they had tabled throughout figure setting from all departments...I met with
Bruce Benson, President of CU... I had a bill signing with the
Governor for two more JBC supplemental bills... I attended the
Metro North Chamber's Big Event at the Lamar Street Event Center...
On Friday, I attended the
Arvada Chamber of Commerce Community Impact Breakfast on Homelessness... The JBC received the revenue and economic forecast and finished the tabled department requests...
On Saturday, we hosted our monthly
town hall on technology in transportation.
Constituents Leslie Feuerborn and Brian Renicker at Arvada Chamber
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!
