Senate majority shifts and new responsibility follows
The makeup of the legislature changed significantly following the Election two Tuesdays ago. Namely,
the balance of the State Senate shifted from Republican to Democratic control. For me, that means I'll be serving in the majority for the next two years.
Election night with the Senate Democratic caucus
This shift in power also meant earning an extra position on the
Joint Budget Committee (JBC), a seat that I was unanimously elected to by my caucus. The six member committee (three from the House and three from the Senate) serves as the General Assembly's permanent fiscal and budget review agency and sponsors the
$30 billion "Long Bill."
Throughout the year,
we hold a number of meetingsto help prepare budget recommendations for the General Assembly. We've already begun meeting, and we will meet every day between now and the beginning of the session. I will post updates on the presentations and budget requests to my Facebook page so that you can keep up with our discussions.
First day on the Joint Budget Committee
The JBC meets across street in the Legislative Services Building up on the third floor. My office also moved over into LSB, room 320. The rest of my contact information remains the same. It is an honor to become a member of this prestigious committee, and I look forward to serving you in this new capacity.
Fracking issue comes to area
Like many of you, I was relieved to hear that Highlands Natural Resources withdrew their application to frack beneath the Rocky Flats Wildlife Preserve. Click
HERE for short recap from the Denver Post about the situation.
When the issue first arose, I had to do some research to determine who had the authority on this matter. For future reference, these permit applications are reviewed by the
Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission.
It was mainly due to public pressure that Highlands Natural Resources West pulled their permits to drill. Should this issue come up again, here is how you can make your voice heard:
Start by going to their
website. To comment about projects on the surface, choose "Jefferson" in the 2A box, and hit GO. Permits affecting the area will pop up. Then, click on the PERMIT NUMBER (not the location) and make your comments there. After that, you will probably also want to make a comment about the holes themselves and the work below the surface. Again, go to their
website, but this time choose "Jefferson" in the "2" (not 2A) box, and hit GO.
I suspect this is just the first of more applications. We must be vigilant in tracking this kind of activity and keep up the public pressure. I am looking into whether there is some sort of legislative solution as well. I suspect because the land is Federal, that we are limited at the state level to make changes. But I will keep you abreast of any new news.
This week at the JBC
As a way of keeping you updated on my work at the JBC, I'll list here for you our schedule so that you know what we will be hearing in the coming week.
For the week of November 26, 2018:
Monday, November 26
9:00 - 10:00 Review Common Briefing Questions
10:00 - 11:00 Briefing for the Department of Transportation
11:00 - 12:00 Hearing for the Department of Military & Veterans Affairs
1:30 - 2:30 Briefing for Treasury & Public Employees' Retirement Association (PERA)
2:30 - 3:30 Briefing for the Department of Local Affairs
3:30 - 5:00 Briefing for the Department of Public Health & Environment (Environmental Divisions)
Tuesday, November 27
9:00 - 12:00 Briefing for the Department of Human Services (Executive Director's Office/Child Welfare /Office of Operations)
1:30 - 3:00 Briefing for the Department of Public Health & Environment (Health Divisions/ Executive Director's Office)
3:00 - 4:00 Briefing for Tobacco Master Settlement Agreement
9:00 - 10:30 Hearing for the Department of Human Services (Office of Information Technology/Youth Services)
10:30 - 12:30 Briefing for the Department of Natural Resources (Division of Reclamation, Mining & Safety/ Oil & Gas Conservation Commission/ State Board of Land Commissioners/ Severance Tax Policy)
Thursday, November 29
9:30 - 11:00 Hearing for the Department of Agriculture
11:00 - 12:00 Briefing for the Department of Public Safety (Colorado State Patrol/ Colorado Bureau of Investigation)
1:30 - 3:00 Briefing for the Department of Regulatory Agencies
Rachel Zenzinger
Rachel Zenzinger won election to the Colorado State Senate, representing District 19, in November 2016. She serves on the Senate Transportation Committee, Education Committee, and Statutory Revision Committee. She is also a member the CDOT Efficiency and Accountability Committee, School Finance Interim Committee, Transportation Legislative Review Committee, and the Statewide Internet Portal Authority. She also served as Senator for SD19 in 2014.
New addition to town hall; welcome Rep-elect Titone
I wish to extend congratulations to Representative-Elect Brianna Titone for winning her election to represent House District 27. Rep-Elect Titone will be joining Representative Tracy Kraft-Tharp, who also won her election to represent House District 29, and myself in our monthly town hall series.
Traditionally we meet the third Saturday of the month. However, due to the Women's March in Denver that weekend, Rep-Elect Titone and myself will host a separate Town Hall meeting for that month only on Saturday, January 12.
If you are planning to attend the Women's March in Denver, please plan to join Rep-Elect Titone and myself on January 12 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm (location TBD). And, if you are NOT planning to attend the march, please plan to join Rep. Kraft-Tharp during our usual third Saturday on January 19, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at the Standley Lake Library. More details to come!
Standley Lake High School Political Science Fair with constituents Jim Early, Brad Rupert and Jeff Kirk
Tracking your Senator
In October, I participated in
Van Arsdale Elementary's Walk to School Day event... I also met with the
Colorado School Finance Project to discuss the school finance interim committee... I was a guest panelist for the
Urban Land Conservancy to discuss housing issues... I went to the Capitol for the
Statutory Revision Committee meeting to discuss potential legislation... I met with officials from
St. Vrain Valley School District to discuss school finance... I received the
"Common Sense in the Courtroom" award at the Colorado
Civil Justice League luncheon... I attended the launch of the
Colorado Sun... I attended the
Metro North Chamber of Commerce Legislative Reception... I went to the Capitol for the
School Finance Interim Committee meeting... I attended the
Standley Lake High School Political Science Fair... I met with the new
Colorado Community College System President, former Lt. Governor, Joe Garcia... I also met with officials from
Healthier Colorado... I met with
Conservation Colorado to discuss the upcoming legislative session... I also attended my monthly
SIPA Board meeting... I was elected to the
Democratic Senate Caucus Leadership Team and to the
Joint Budget Committee... I participated in the
Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis Pins for Kids bowling event... I attended the
Colorado Business Roundtable Legislative Reception... We began our first set of budget hearings for the
JBC... I attended the ribbon cutting for the
Blood Pressure Kiosk at the Secrest Recreation Center... I attended the
Arvada Chamber of Commerce third Friday breakfast... And, I met with the
School Finance Interim Committee.
Common Sense in the Courtroom Award from the CCJL
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
Donations to
Rachel For Colorado
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