Tensions are running high in final weeks of session
With two weeks and three days left in the session, the atmosphere at the Capitol has become more strained than usual. Last week two critical bills related to the budget, the Hospital Provider Fee reclassification and the referred measure for Transportation,started to unravel. I have tracked the referred measure for transportation funding very closely and I believe our only hope at this time is to convince a majority of the Senate Finance Committee members to vote in favor ofHB17-1242if we want the bill to advance.
This editorial,Let's get this show on the crumbling road--send HB1242 road tax to voters, accurately captures my thoughts on the issue. With our growing population and chronic transportation challenges, we must do something to address our declining infrastructure--and I believe that HB17-1242 is the right solution. At the very least, the State Legislature should give the people an opportunity to vote.
The two Democratic members, Senators Lois Court and Daniel Kagan, seem to favor the bill. Senators Tim Neville and Owen Hill signaled they would not support the measure. That means it comes down to Republican Sen. Jack Tate as the swing vote. The Finance committee will take up the issue Tuesday afternoon. If you are interested in joining the fight for better roads, then contactSen. Jack Tatetoday and ask him to support HB17- 1242.
Welcoming Colorado Autism Society and
Firefly Autism for Autism Awareness resolution
The good, the bad, the ugly
Because I like to end on a positive note, I will sart with the 'Ugly' first and work my way to the 'Good'.
Last week the Senate defeated an extremely 'Ugly' bill,
SB17-283, that would have allowed businesses and individuals to claim that any belief they hold gives them permission to exempt themselves from non-discrimination laws they don't want to follow. The bill was so broadly written, that it would have opened the door for any Colorado business to discriminate against any customer. I believe that all people should be treated fairly and equally and so I
opposed the bill.
For the 'Bad', three GOP lawmakers killed an anti-'Rolling Coal' bill a few weeks ago. Thankfully, the
measure came back and this time prevailed. 'Rolling Coal' is the practice of modifying a diesel engine to increase the amount of fuel entering the engine in order to emit a sooty exhaust that visibly pollutes the air. I heard the bill in the Senate Transportation Committee, and last week the Senate voted in favor of increasing the penalties for this dangerous and unncessary practice.
And now, for the 'Good'. The Senate passed
HB17-1188 which
added physical or mental disability and sexual orientation to the categories described in the harassment statute to make the statute consistent with Colorado's existing law concerning bias-motivated crimes. This was a big step forward in protecting vulnerable communities and I'm happy to see the bill on the way to the Governor's desk for signature.
Celebrating Denver Zoo Day at the Capitol
Rachel Zenzinger
Rachel Zenzinger won election to the Colorado State Senate, representing District 19, in November 2016. Previously, she served in the same capacity during the 2014 legislative session. During the upcoming, 71st General Assembly, she will serve on the Senate Education Committee, Transportation Committee and the Student Safety and Youth in Crisis Committee.
Final 'Coffee With Constituents' of session
Mark your calendars for the final 'Coffee With Consituents' of the session. We will meet on Friday, May 10 from 7 am - 8 am at the Indian Tree Golf Course in Arvada. Since the legislative session will presumably wrap up the Wednesday prior, we will do a legislative wrap-up and discuss the fate of bills that concern you most. I hope you'll join us!
Meeting with constituents at 'What's Brewing' event in Westminster
Tracking your Senator
On Monday, the Senate passed my bill
HB17-1201 on STEM education... And I met with the
Speaker of the House to discuss transportation issues... On Tuesday, we celebrated the
Denver Zoo at the Capitol...we also presented
SJR17-035 by Senator(s) Donovan, Garcia, Hill, Kerr, and myself on recognizing the importance of conquering scientific challenges from medicine to space and beyond... I also met with
Nicholas, a student from Regis University... On Wednesday, I met with representatives of
Colorado Ethics Watch to discuss campaign finance reform... We also hosted
'What's Brewing at the Capitol' at the Twenty Brew TapHouse in Westminster... Thursday I met with the
Colorado Brewers Guild to discuss tasting rooms legislation... On Friday, I attended the
Arvada Chamber's State of the City Address... I also sponosored
SJR17-036 on Autism Awareness Month and welcomed
Firefly Autisim and the
Colorado Autism Society to the chamber... I met with constituent
Mary Jane from
Colorado Organizations Responding to AIDS... And I attended the
Westminster Chamber's Annual Awards Dinner.
Constituent Mary Jane with Colorado Organizations Responding to AIDS
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
Donations
Can you help us with a contribution? While the campaign activity has concluded, we still need your help so that we may continue keeping in touch with SD19 voters. Your contribution helps us pay for brochures, direct mail, the website, newsletter, and other tools to help make voters aware of what is happening down at the State Capitol. THANKS!
