Last week I received an email from an individual who wanted to know why I had a "problem" with funding kindergarten, followed by lots of information on the benefits of early childhood education. T
his email was probably in reaction to some of the comments several of us on the Joint Budget Committee made following Governor Polis' budget request to fund full-day kindergarten.
With Sen. Dominick Moreno after we both passed our first bills out of committee
As a teacher, I understand the benefits of early childhood education, and I agree. However, my role as a member of the state legislature, and especially as a member of the Joint Budget Committee, is to take both a short-term and long-term view of the budget. While I am confident we can fund full-day kindergarten in the short-term, I am concerned about our ability to maintain that commitment.
Why am I concerned about the future? It has to do with how we fund education now and whether it's adequate. For example, the way our school finance formula works, we rescind approximately $672 million (8.6%) from the total program cost (known as the budget stabilization factor or negative factor). If we put the proposed $227 million into the formula for kindergarten, we will increase the total program amount, but we must still deduct 8.6% thereby diminishing the investment. And, once we commit to funding it, we must continue funding it at that level going forward.
Jefferson County's budget stabilization factor last year was $75.2 million. Since implementation, the cumulative effect of the BS factor to Jefferson County totals nearly $1 Billion. And the
negative impact of the BS factor has resulted in much more than our ability to fund full-day kinder-garten. Currently, 104 out of 178 schools districts operate on a four day school week. We are facing a 3,000 teacher shortage in our state and very low teacher pay. And when the state only funds 34% of special education costs, districts really struggle to meet their needs. (To say nothing about priorities beyond education, such as transportation and housing.)
So while my heart is 100% with the Governor to fund full-day kindergarten, I must approach the budget request with caution. My colleagues and I on the JBC have committed to working with the Governor to figure this out, but it will take time and some creative thinking.
First two bills pass out of comte; two more on deck
With my co-sponsor Sen. Tammy Story
passing SB19-039 out of Committee
My first two bills of the session passed out of committee this week.
SB19-044 is a statutory revision bill that repeals outdated language no longer in effect. The bill was place on the consent calendar and will be heard on the Senate floor on Tuesday.
The second bill, SB19-039, was a little more substantive and also dealt with repealing inappropriate language.
Last session an amendment was added to a bill (HB18-1306) aimed at improving the educational stability of foster youth, including transportation to their home schools. The amendment, which was identical to a different bill that had failed earlier, changed the focus from foster students to all students for the purpose of "improving school choice." A District Court judge determined the amendment violated the state's single subject rule. Our bill removed the unconstitutional section that did not relate to foster care youth. Click HERE to read more. Next stop will be to the Senate Floor for debate.
Coming up this week, I'll be presenting
SB19-017, a TLRC bill referred to the legislature by the CDOT Efficiency and Accountability Committee,on Tuesday, January 22 at 1:30 pm in the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee.
And on Thursday, I'll be presenting SB19-003 concerning Educator Loan Forgiveness. This bill will reimburse educators up to $5000 in student loan debt if they commit to teaching in a teacher shortage area. This bill will be heard in Senate Education on Thursday, January 24 at 1:30 pm.
Sen. Zenzinger in the news
Democratic Senators on the Joint Budget Comte discuss Jared Polis' first budget proposal
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.
Special Town Hall: Q&A on National Popular Vote bill
If you are like me, you probably have lots of questions about a concept known at the National Popular Vote. Well, those of us in Senate District 19 are in luck! The sponsor of the bill, Senator Mike Foote, has agreed to participate in a Q&A about SB19-042, his bill on National Popular Vote
.
Please join me this Thursday, January 24 from 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm at the First United Church of Arvada, 7195 Simms St, Arvada, CO 80004. Senator Foote will discuss the bill and then take questions from the audience. Hope to see you there!
Colleagues Sens. Angela Williams & Rhonda Fields presenting MLK Jr. Resolution
Mark calendars for next 'Coffee With Constituents'
Two Fridays ago, we had a great first "Coffee with Constituents" of the new legislative session. Our conversation ranged from the "State of the State" address to various bill priorities and current legislation. A
s a reminder, we typically meet in the morning on the second Friday of the month.
Please mark your calendar for
Friday, February 8 from 7 am - 8 am for our next 'Coffee' event. Because we anticipate a larger crowd, we are going to try out another new location:
Morning Story Restaurant at 8025 Sheridan Blvd, Arvada (where the old Egg & I was located). Please let us know if you have any questions or concerns!
With constituents Amber & Bill at "What's Brewing" event at New Image
Tracking your Senator
On Monday, I met with the
Colorado Education Association... I was interviewed by
Gregg Moss of the
Metro North Chamber of Commerce... In JBC we had a hearing with the
Department of Labor and Employment and the
Department of Natural Resources... On Tuesday, we were briefed by the
Governor about his budget proposal... I attended
Committee Chairs Training for Senate Appropriations... the JBC had our first Joint Meeting with the
House and Senate Business, Labor and Technology Committees... In JBC, we heard from the
Department of Personnel and the
Department of Law, including a presentation by the
Attorney General, Phil Weiser... On Wednesday, I attended the
Colorado Behavioral Health Council Advocacy Day... I presented
SB19-044 to the Senate Health & Human Services Committee... I had a meeting with officials from
History Colorado... In JBC we received a presentation from
Governor Polis on his budget requests... We also heard supplemental requests from the
Office of the Governor, Human Services, Local Affairs, Military & Veterans Affairs, Public Health & Environment, Transportation, and the Treasury... And I hosted
"What's Brewing at the Capitol" at New Image Brewery... On Thursday, I attended the
Colorado Children's Campaign Eat and Learn at the Capitol event... We had a
Joint House & Senate Finance meeting with the JBC... I attended the
CLAW Caucus meeting to discuss one of my bills... I attended the
Colorado Business Day luncheon... I presented
SB19-039 on Inter-District Transportation to the Senate Education Committee... I attended the
Great Schools Thriving Communities legislative reception... I attended the
One Colorado legislative reception... On Friday, I attended the
Arvada Chamber of Commerce community breakfast... I attended the
Colorado Counties Inc. legislative reception... In the JBC we met with
Joint House & Senate Transportation and Local Government Committees... I met with the legislative liaison from the
Department of Human Services... On Saturday, I attended the
Denver Womxn's March... We had our monthly town hall meeting.
With constituents the McAndrews and Rep. Brianna Titone at the
Denver Womxn's March
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
This Week in the JBC...
Tuesday, January 22
8:00 am Joint House & Senate Agriculture Committees
Upon Adjournment: Consideration of Supplemental Requests for the Departments of Labor & Employment, Personnel, and Public Health & Environment
2:00 - 3:00 pm Consideration of Figure Setting Recommendations for Community Provider Rate
3:00 pm Consideration of Figure Setting Recommendations for Compensation and Continuation of Supplemental Recommendations
Wednesday, January 23
7:30 am Joint House & Senate Education Committees
Upon Adjournment: Consideration of Supplemental Requests for the Departments of Higher Education, Human Services Judicial Branch, Natural Resources and Revenue
1:30 pm Continuation of Supplemental Recommendations
Thursday, January 24
Upon Adjournment: Consideration of Supplemental Requests for Capital Construction, the Departments of Health Care Policy and Financing, Human Services, Law, Public Safety, Corrections, and Education
1:30 pm Continuation of Supplemental Recommendations
Friday, January 25
1:30 pm Consideration of Supplemental Recommendations
Joint meeting with House & Senate Business Committees
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