I have to admit, I was pretty nervous. I had been carrying the precious cargo in my binder all morning in anticipation of the right moment. Questions raced through my mind. Was this the right time? Would my voice shake? What will be the reaction of my friends and family when I told them the news? How would my fellow legislators respond when I pop the question? There was only one way to find out.

I carefully made my way to the podium, raised my hand and waited to be acknowledged by the President. "Senator Zenzinger," President Garcia said. After five long years, the moment finally arrived, "Thank you Mr. President," I said, without near as much anxiety in my voice as I thought there would be. "I move Senate Joint Resolution 21-006."

There it was! A resolution concerning a request to the supreme court of the state of Colorado to render its opinion upon a question regarding House Bill 21-1164. My co-sponsor, Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, confidently explained our reasons for popping the question. He noted that earlier in the morning we had passed on second reading HB21-1164, a bill that formed the basis of a constitutional question to be sent to the supreme court as an interrogatory to clarify whether we have the legislative authority to authorize the Colorado Department of Education to correct a long-standing error in our property tax system that funds school finance.

After listening to a few legislators speak about their lack of "feelings" for our proposal, the Majority Leader and I reasserted our position and asked the big questions once more:

"Can the General Assembly by statute correct the unauthorized reductions in school district total program mill levies by requiring impacted school districts reset their mill levies to the levels at which the levies would have been but for the unauthorized reductions that occurred after the school districts obtained voter approval to retain excess property tax revenue and then requiring school districts to gradually remove the temporary property tax credits as provided in House Bill 21-1164 without obtaining prior voter approval?"

The House will vote on the resolution on Monday, and if it passes we must then wait and see what the supreme court thinks of our proposal. For my sake, and the sake of Colorado students and taxpayers that deserve fair and sufficient funding of K-12 education, I certainly hope the answer is, "Yes!"

Moving to Phase 1B.4: Beginning last Friday, Colorado moved to Phase 1B.4 on the vaccination schedule. While vaccine supply still remains very limited, this new phase opens up eligibility to a new group of folks. In the short term, the Jefferson County Public Health department will focus their efforts on the folks who were eligible in earlier phases that still have yet to get their vaccine. For individuals who are now eligible and seeking vaccine appointments, they should seek appointments through one of the many healthcare providers or pharmacies in our community. For more information, visit vaccinefinder.org or call JCPH's COVID-19 call center at 303-239-7000.

Restrictions soon to relax under Dial 3.0: As soon as next week, Colorado will loosen its coronavirus dial system. This means restrictions for personal gatherings will be lifted and depending on our county level, we could see other limits loosened or eliminated altogether. To view level restrictions and the upcoming changes, visit the COVID-19 dial dashboard.

Vaccines for All Plan: On Monday, March 22, as part of his Vaccines for All effort, the Governor will be launching the State Community Vaccination Site at Dick's Sporting Good Park in Commerce City. All vaccines are free with no co-pay. The drive-through clinic will run from 9 am - 5 pm. Individuals who are eligible to receive the vaccine can register HERE or by calling 720-263-5737. Starting today, all Coloradans age 50 and older are eligible.

On Monday, while many of us were trapped at home due to the heavy snow that fell over the weekend, Governor Polis signed into law SB21-053 concerning adjustments to school funding for the 2020-21 budget year. I've written in prior newsletters about the importance of these mid-year funds to our schools and I'm pleased that we were able to get them the necessary resources to finish this year strong. You can read more about it in this Denver Post article.

Also last week, the Governor signed into law HB21-1161 to reduce the number of standardized tests that students must take this spring. The bill passed through the Senate on Tuesday and was signed into law that evening. Due to recent federal guidance, we were unable to pause this year's standardized tests, instead we are requesting a waiver from the Department of Education to implement some flexibility measures and to significantly reduce the number of tests. You can learn more about the provisions of the bill in this Chalkbeat Colorado article.

Also last week, the House and Senate took up HB21-1164 on Total Program Mill Levy Tax Credit, which concerns reductions in the property tax credits that apply to school districts' total program mill levies for purposes of funding the "Public School Finance Act of 1994." The problem we are trying to solve in this bill is to address an incorrect calculation of the local share of school finance. Now that the bill has passed through second reading in the Senate, it will sit on the calendar until we hear back from the Supreme Court as to whether they are willing to respond to SJR21-006.

And lastly, on Friday, the Governor signed into law SB21-110, which will provide an additional $30 million to support the revitalization of main streets across the state. This funding will help communities improve their roadways and community infrastructure. I believe Colorado's Main Streets are the heart of our communities, and with these new funds we will see our timeless town centers uplifted and restored--preserving their economic and cultural vibrancy for generations to come.

SJR21-006 Interrogatory Regarding School District Mill Levies: Concerning a request to the supreme court of the state of Colorado to render its opinion upon a question regarding House Bill 21-1164.

SB21-185 Supporting Educator Workforce in Colorado: Concerning supporting the educator workforce in Colorado.

SB21-179 Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative Advisory Board: Concerning the composition of the Colorado opportunity scholarship initiative. This bill passed 6 - 1 in Education and will be heard in the Senate on Monday, March 22.

SB21-135 Prohibit Certain Animals in Traveling Animal Act: Concerning a prohibition on the use of certain animals in a traveling animal act. This bill passed 3 - 2 in Agriculture and will be heard in the Senate on Tuesday, March 23.

HB21-1230 Create User-friendly State Internet Rules Portal: Concerning creation of a user-friendly state internet portal relating to state agency rules.

HB21-1164 Total Program Mill Levy Tax Credit: Concerning reductions in the property tax credits that apply to school districts' total program mill levies for purposes of funding the "Public School Finance Act of 1994". This bill passed through the Senate on 2nd Reading.

HB21-1083 State Board Assessment Appeals Valuation Adjustment: Concerning the modification on appeal of property valuation set by the county board of equalization. This bill passed 5 - 0 in Local Government and will be heard in the Senate on Monday, March 22.

On Monday... I met with education stakeholders to discuss upcoming bills... I joined the Governor for a virtual bill signing for SB53 on school finance... On Tuesday... I met with Black Hills Energy to discuss energy policy and bills... I attended the Senate Transportation Committee... I presented and passed my bill HB21-1083 on Assessment at the BAA out of the Senate Local Government Committee... I observed the One Colorado LGBTQ lobby day at the Capitol... The Governor signed my bill HB21-1161 on CMAS testing... On Wednesday... I chaired the Senate Education Committee... I presented and passed my bill SB21-179 on the COSI board out of the Education Committee... I met with new and returning members of the Adams State University Board of Trustees... I met with the Colorado Natural Gas Association... I met with education stakeholders to discuss upcoming bills... On Thursday... I attended the Speak Up for Kids Day at the Capitol... I attended the SIPA Board meeting... I chaired the Senate Education Committee... I presented and passed my bill SB21-135 on circus animals out of the Senate Agriculture Committee... I presented and passed my bill HB21-1164 on mill levies out of the Senate Education Committee... On Friday... I attended the Arvada Chamber of Commerce meeting... I met with members of the Coloradans for the Common Good... I met with members of Together Colorado... I met with a constituent to discuss NIMAA medical assistant training program... The Governor hosted a bill signing for SB21-110 on the Revitalization of Main Streets.

Chalkbeat Colorado: Millions more for Colorado K-12 schools? Lawmakers seek court opinion first.

CBS Denver: Gov. Jared Polis Heads To Golden To Sign 'Revitalizing Main Streets' Bill Into Law

EIN News: Senate Democrats Address Inequities in School Funding Formula, Bolster K-12 Education

Fox31 Denver: Senate approves two bills aimed at 'strengthening' Colorado schools

Colorado Politics: NOONAN | Testing has yet to prove its worth

MDJOnline.com: Polis signs Colorado school funding bill into law

Cannabis Wire: Colorado Senate Poised To Pass Bill To Expand School-Based Medical Cannabis Access

EIN News: Senate Passes Bipartisan Bills To Support Strengthen Colorado Schools

The Denver Post: Colorado schools have certainty on funding for this year, and are closer to knowing about testing

Chalkbeat Colorado: Gov. Jared Polis signs bill scaling back standardized testing. Now the federal government must weigh in.

Law Week Colorado: Bipartisan Bill Would Mandate an Update to Civics Education

The Chronicle News: Polis signs Colorado school funding bill into law

CBS Denver: COVID In Colorado: Suspension Of Statewide Student Assessments Signed Into Law

The Colorado Sun: How Colorado is changing standardized tests for elementary and middle school students this year — and why

Mark your calendar for our next virtual town hall meeting! While our topic is still yet to be determined, we will have a short update from Congressman Ed Perlmutter on the latest federal recovery act.