State budget clears final hurdle, heads to Governor
After many months of negotiations and hours of debate, the House and Senate voted in favor of a balanced budget for the state of Colorado. You can read a detailed summary of the full budget HERE.
Congratulating JBC Chair, Sen. Dominick Moreno,
after passing the Long Bill
From a high-level view, this is a $32.3 billion budget, with approximately $12 billion in General Fund appropriations, which is the portion the legislature uses to pay for state programs and services.
This year's budget was challenging due to the projected reduction in General Fund revenues we received in our March forecast. Nevertheless, we were able to address some critical funding priorities including:
56 projects approved in the capital maintenance backlog
Additional $300 million for transportation
3% raises for state employees
1% increase in all provider rates
Funding for full-day kindergarten
The Joint Budget Committee met last Thursday to conference over the budget and to reconcile the differences between the amended House and Senate versions. Most of the amendments were stripped from the budget in order to balance. We did, however, keep a few minor amendments such as:
$55,000 for the Strategic Action Planning Group on Coloradans Age 50 and Over
$30,000 for the Rural Economic Development Initiative Grants
$100,000 for suicide prevention
$100,000 for Community Food Bank grants
$250,000 for Tony Grampsas Youth Services Program
Discussing the conference committee report on
the Long Bill SB19-207
Here are a few of the major highlights from the FY 2019-20 budget:
Education
$175 million for fully funded full-day kindergarten (forthcoming in a bill)
$77 million to buy down the Budget Stabilization factor
$10 million for Education Leadership Council priorities
Health Care Policy and Financing
$46.2 million for 1% raise for community providers
$13.9 million increase for services for people with intellectual developmental disabilities to reduce the waitlist
$8.6 million for 2% targeted rate increase for Community Mental Health Centers and Substance Use Disorders
Higher Education
$121 million increase to hold tuition flat for in-state students
$65 million in capital development
$563,000 for career and technical education
Human Services
$15.6 million increase for staff retention at the Veterans Community Living Center and Youth Services facilities
$9 million for 1% raise in community provider rates
$5 million and 47 FTE for services for 42 additional additional inpatient psychiatric patients at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Pueblo
Judicial
$7 million for 15 new District Court Judges and 66 support staff
$2.9 million for 34.5 new FTE for probation officers and staff
Natural Resources
$21 million cash funds for 19 additional oil and gas inspectors and support staff
$10 million for implementation of the Colorado Water Plan
Public Safety & Corrections
$27 million for salary increases and retention for correctional officers
$10 million to address prison capacity and overcrowding
$7.9 million for 10 FTE for parole caseload
$2.3 million cash funds for 20 FTE increase for State Troopers and civilian staff
Transportation & Infrastructure
$300 million total appropriations towards transportation construction, maintenance, and operations
$18.7 million for additional broadband deployment grants
$11.8 million for additional cybersecurity technology
There are a variety of other departments and programs that I did not mention here, including the Departments of Agriculture, Governor, Labor and Employment, Law, Legislative, Local Affairs, Personnel, Public Health and Environment, Regulatory Agencies, Revenue, State, Treasury, Veterans and Military Affairs, and Capital Construction. To see those budget highlights, click HERE.
The next stop for the 2019-20 Long Bill will be the Governor's desk. We were able to set aside approximately $40 million for legislation, so all the bills with General Fund implications stacking up in the Senate and House Appropriations Committees will start to move now.
Three weeks to go!
The Colorado legislature is only in session for 120 days. That means we are nearing the final stretch. Here is a link to the Senate bills I've sponsored:
SENATE and here is a link to the House bills I've sponsored:
HOUSE. And, here are two pictures that illustrate what I've been able to pass so far, and the bills that I still have ahead:
These are the bills we have passed so far and have been signed into law or are awaiting signature
These are the bills that I'm still working on and must finish in the next three weeks
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.
Odyssey Beerwerks for the next 'What's Brewing'
Our very first 'What's Brewing' event took place at the Odyssey Beerwerks two years ago, and we are excited to be returning there for our April brewery event. Please join us on Wednesday, April 17 at 6:30 pm for a relaxed evening with your Senator. Odyssey Beerwerks is located at 5535 W 56th Ave #107, Arvada, CO 80002.
Bill Signing for SB19-102 on Community Schools
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. 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.
Bill Signing for HB19-1007 on County Candidate Campaign Limits
Members of the Colorado Division for Early Childhood and the Council for Exceptional Children
Tracking your Senator
On Monday, we recognized
National Crime Victims' Rights Week... We recognized the
35th Space Symposium... My bill
HB19-1030 on unlawful sexual communication passed on Second Reading... The Senate adopted the
First Conference Committee Report on my bill
SB19-106 on peace officer retirement plans... The Governor signed into law my bill
Senate Bill 102 on Community Schools...
On Tuesday, the
Senate Appropriations Committee met... The
Woodrow Wilson Academy visited the Capitol... I passed
SB19-205 on
Women Veterans License Plates out of the
Senate Finance Committee... We recognized
Tardive Dyskinesia Awareness Week...
On Wednesday, I was the guest speaker at the
Metro North Chamber of Commerce... The
JBC met and adopted several committee bills... I concurred with House amendments to my bill
SB19-144 on motorcycles and malfunctioning traffic signals and the bill was re-passed unanimously...
On Thursday, I hosted
'Coffee With Constituents' at Morning Story Restaurant... I became the chair of the
Statutory Revision Committee... I delivered a
Senate Resolution in honor of
Police Week and Peace Officers' Memorial Day... The
JBC met and conferenced on the budget...
On Friday, the
Senate Appropriations Committee met... My bill
SB19-061 on
Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus Testing And Certification passed on Second Reading... Also, my bill
SB19-197 on Spinal Cord Injury waiver program passed on Second Reading... The
Colorado Division for Early Childhood were my guests on the Senate floor... The Governor signed
HB19-1007 on County Candidate Campaign Limits into law... I met with Kami Welch and Katie Winner of the
Arvada Chamber of Commerce to discuss SB19-188... The Senate adopted the
First Conference Committee on Senate Bill 19-207 on the Budget and Long Bill was re-passed...
On Saturday, I attended the
NW Metro Business and Professional Women's "Woman of the Year" award dinner honoring
Mickey Harlow.
Business and Professional Woman "Woman of the Year" Mickey Harlow
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!
