Spinal cord injury waiver bill passes committee 7-0
My bill, Senate Bill 19-197, concerning the continuation of the Spinal Cord Injury Waiver pilot program for complementary or alternative medicine unanimously passed out of the Senate Finance Committee last week.
Witnesses who testified in favor of SB19-197 on the Spinal Cord Injury Waiver program
The program, which began in 2005, allows people with spinal cord injuries to use their Medicaid benefits for alternative care such as acupuncture, massage therapy, and chiropractic medicine. We heard from a number of patients who are currently utilizing the waiver about the life-changing benefits the program has offered them.
We also heard from a number of folks affiliated with the
Chanda Plan Foundation, an organization that first began the push for access to integrative therapy, primary care, and other complementary services to improve health outcomes and reduce healthcare costs for persons with physical disabilities.
Given the crisis Colorado faces with regard to opioid addiction, these type of integrative therapies help bring about better health outcomes and lower medical bills. The next stop for the bill is the Senate Appropriations Committee.
Oil and gas bill comes back with significant changes
Last week,
Senate Bill 19-181 c
oncerning additional public welfare protections regarding the conduct of oil and gas operations, came back to the Senate for final approval after undergoing a number of changes in the House.
Receiving the "Transportation Funding Champion" award with Sen. John Cooke (R) for SB18-001
As the Denver Post noted today in their editorial, "Drop the hysterics on oil and gas reform," the subsequent amendments have made the legislation significantly better. For example, the bill now includes tighter language regarding local control and clarifying language was added for when local governments can, on a case-by-case basis, have greater control.
In every committee and in both chambers, the sponsors worked with the oil and gas industry to clarify any ambiguity and to address objections that were raised. The biggest changes to the bill were offered in the House, where there were 19 amendments offered, of which twelve passed. Those changes included professionalizing the COGCC, clarifying that local governments don't regulate activities below the surface, and reducing the forced pooling threshold from 50% down to 45%.
There were a total of 59 amendments offered and debated to SB19-181. If you'd like to see each amendment that passed or failed, click HERE and scroll to the middle of the page and click the fifth tab in the middle of the page labeled "Amendments." Also, the Colorado Sun has a nice summary of the major changes in their article, "The oil and gas bill is nearing final approval. Here's a look at the concessions the industry won."
One last point worth mentioning is that there is no "de facto" moratorium on new wells during the rulemaking process. There never was a moratorium, but several amendments helped to ensure it. There is also zero language on setbacks either (as was the case for Proposition 112). The bill in its final version helps create a better balance between a very important industry in Colorado and the communities that are impacted by it. And, as the
Denver Post noted, "
We think Coloradans will be better off with Senate Bill 181. And whether or not the industry wants to admit it, we think they will be better off too."
Women Veterans License Plate bill passes 7-0
Senate Bill 19-
205 concerning the creation of a license plate to honor women veterans of the United States armed forces, passed out of the Senate Transportation and Energy Committee on a vote of 7-0. The bill now heads to the Senate Finance Committee for consideration.
All of Colorado's women veterans deserve to be recognized for the sacrifices they have made for our country. This bill gives them the visibility they deserve. SB19-205 will allow women who have been honorably discharged or have retired from the United States Armed Forces to obtain a license plate recognizing their service to our country. The plates will become available on January 1, 2020, for 2 one-time $25 fees.
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
Our next 'Coffee' event will be on Thursday April 11 from 7 am - 8 am at the Morning Story Restaurant,
8025 Sheridan Boulevard, Arvada, CO 80003. Menus will be available for folks to order breakfast if they so choose. The coffee will be on us!
Ryan Elementary visiting the Capitol
Town hall on TABOR 101
Our monthly town hall with Representatives Tracy Kraft-Tharp, Brianna Titone, and myself will feature Jason Schrock, S
enior Director of Finance at the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. He previously served as the Deputy Director of the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, Chief Economist at OSPB, and as an economist at Legislative Council Staff. Jason will address the different aspects and elements of the Taxpayers Bill of Rights, also known as TABOR. The town hall will be Saturday, April 20 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at the Standley Lake Library, 8486 Kipling Street, Arvada.
Westminster Chamber of Commerce annual business awards gala
On Monday, I welcomed
Ryan Elementary to the Capitol... I also received the
Colorado Contractors Association "Transportation Funding Champion" award for my work on Senate Bill 18-001... I had a bill signing with the Governor for
Senate Bill 68 on Electioneering Communications... I chaired the
Conference Committee for Senate Bill 106 on Peace Officer Retirements plans...
On Tuesday, we recognized
Child Abuse Prevention Day at the Capitol... I gave a
Senate Resolution in honor of
Equal Pay Day... I attended the
Equal Pay Day rally at the Capitol... I presented my bill
SB197 on the Spinal Cord Injury Waiver program in Senate Finance... I attended the
Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth recognition ceremony at Pomona High School...
On Wednesday, I chaired the
Committee of the Whole... I attended the
Arvada Man and Woman of the Year awards luncheon sponsored by the Arvada Chamber of Commerce... I presented my bill
HB19-1030 on Unlawful Sexual Communication in the Senate Judiciary Committee...
On Thursday, I presented my bill
SB19-205 to establish a
Women Veterans license plate... I attended the
SIPA Board meeting... I attended the
Great Schools, Thriving Communities lobby day event...
On Friday, the
Long Bill passed out of the House on Third Reading...
On Saturday, I gave a presentation to the
Arvadans for Progressive Action on what it's like to serve on City Council... And, I attended the
Westminster Chamber of Commerce annual business awards gala.
Equal Pay Day Rally
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!
