It was a big week for education at the Golden Dome! Thousands of educators descended upon the Capitol to rally for better school funding,
retirement security, and to signal their support of
HB18-1232, a bill championed by a statewide coalition of superintendents.
Thankfully, this year's School Finance Act will help address a few of their concerns. We are bumping up per pupil funding by $475 and buying down the Budget Stabilization Factor (formerly known as the Negative Factor) by $150M. We are also increasing the number of ECARE slots for preschool and kindergarten, raising the amount for English Language Learners, and sending an additional $30M to rural schools.
While I am pleased we are able to do more this year, we have quite a bit of catching up to do! For a better under-standing on why these days of action are necessary, take a look at the graphic to the right. And thank you to the many parents, students, and teachers who swung by the Senate Chambers this week to meet with me about these critical issues!
On the west steps with Rep. Jeni Arndt
where thousands of educators rallied
With eight days to go, three bills still in the mix
With the passage of
HB18-1070 on Friday, I have three bills remaining this legislative session. But the clock is ticking! We wrap up the session on Wednesday, May 9 and anything still on the calendar waiting to be debated will die.
Here are my last few bills of this session:
HB18-1364Sunset Colorado Council Persons With Disabilities: concerning the continuation of the Colorado advisory council for persons with disabilities.
HB18-1299Electronic Filing Title Registration Motor Vehicle: concerning electronic documents related to the ownership of a vehicle that is regulated by the department of revenue.
HB18-1413Create School Safety Grant Program: concerning the creation of a school safety grant program.
With Students, parents and teachers from Standley Lake High School, Drake Middle School, Regis University, and Foster Elementary
Compromise forged on the Civil Rights Commission bill
For months now we have not been able to find common ground on the future of the
Civil Rights Commission. Earlier in the year, the Joint Budget Committee, on a party-line vote,
refused to set aside funding for the Commission until after the sunset review process. Fortunately, we were able to secure the funding during the budget debate through an amendment sponsored by my caucus.
Even with the funding set aside, there were still concerns over the role of the Commission and how it functions. Sen. Gardner (R) from Colorado Springs proposed a series of amendments to the bill when it
was heard in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Many of these changes were unacceptable and put the bill in jeopardy
once more.
Thankfully we were able to
forge a compromise with Senate Republicans this week to remove the most controversial changes. As the Denver Post noted, "
The bipartisan deal would take some power from the governor in terms of panel appointments," but "otherwise the commission will function almost the same as it has." I'm glad we found a path forward and we will continue to benefit from the Commission's valuable work.
Educators gather at the Capitol to rally for
better school funding
Rachel Zenzinger
Rachel Zenzinger won election to the Colorado State Senate, representing District 19, in November 2016. She serves on the Senate Trasnportation Committee, Education Committee, and Statutory Revision Committee. She is also a member of several interim committees including the CDOT Efficiency and Accountability Committee and the School Finance Interim Committee.
History of Colorado's School Finance Source: Colorado Fiscal Institute
Coffee With Constituents
Please join us for our final "Coffee With Constituents" of the session, Friday, May 11 from 7 - 8 am at the Indian Tree Golf Course,
7555 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003. The gathering will occur two days after the legislative session ends, so I will provide a wrap-up. Hope to see you then!
Teachers from North Arvada
Middle School
Legislative Town Hall
Please plan to join Representatives Tracy Kraft-Tharp, Lang Sias and myself for our monthly bipartisan and bicameral town hall meeting on the third Saturday of the month, May 19 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at the Standley Lake Library.
Topic is TBD.
Teachers from Fitzmorris
Elementary School
Tracking your Senator
On Monday, we welcomed the
Jefferson County Family Leadership Training Institute to the Capitol... On Tuesday, I was pleased to be able to present a tribute to the
Scientific and Cultural Facilities District for 30 years of providing arts, cultural and scientific programming... We celebrated the hard work of our aides and interns at our
annual appreciation luncheon... On Wednesday, we recognized
"Denim Day" at the Capitol to raise awareness of sexual assault... On Thursday, I presented
HB18-1354 on enforcing powersports warranties... We also welcomed thousands of educators from
Jefferson County School District to the Capitol... I also attended the
Jeffco Schools Foundation Gala... On Friday, we again welcomed thousands of educators to the Capitol and I attended the
rally on the west steps... We also paid tribute to the
Colorado Black Women for Political Action organization... I also passed
HB18-1070 on second reading... On Saturday, I visited with educators with the
Colorado Education Association at their annual delegate assembly.
Popsicle the SCFD mascot celebrating 30 years
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
Donations
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!
