Yesterday, the Senate gave their approval of the state budget. Whereas the House debated close to 80 budget amendments, the Senate only took up fifteen. The next step in the process will be to iron out the differences between the House and Senate versions in a Joint Budget Committee conference committee where we will determine if the amendments put us out of balance and finalize the details.
Presenting Budget Bill to the Senate
on second reading
As I've said before, I don't love this budget. This is only my second year on the JBC. Last year's budget compared to this year's budget could not be any more different. We faced an unprecedented revenue shortfall--$3.3 Billion--greater than any of the prior recessions combined. The 2020-21 Long Bill contains difficult choices, shared sacrifice, and extremely uncomfortable reductions.
But among these pages you will also find that there was some good work too. You will find the names of my colleagues from both chambers and both sides of the aisle, and the incredible work of our staff, who labored over these long months--not just with challenging numbers, but at times in actual physical danger--so that Colorado could continue.
The rest of the budget is a catalog of consequences. This budget puts a mirror to the most difficult truths of our time. In the wake of people losing jobs, oil prices crashing, tourism disappearing, we have seen an historic loss of revenue. And we have a Constitution that prohibits legislators from raising taxes, borrowing funds, or running a deficit. We can only spend exactly what we have.
So while this budget isn't pretty, I believe it reflects the most honest, compassionate, committed decision making our state has ever demanded. The 2020-21 budget is the best budget for the worst times, and sets the course for a better future for Colorado.
Zenzinger bills this week
Passing the state budget in the Senate
on third and final reading
Last week, in the midst of debating and passing the state budget, I had several unrelated bills also pass through the legislature. These bills were already set in motion prior to our legislative recess due to the pandemic.
SB20-009 Expand Adult Education Grant Program:Concerning expansion of the adult education and literacy grant program. This bill passed through the Senate and just came out of a House Committee unanimously.
SB20-085Sex Offender Community Corrections Requirements: Concerning a requirement that a sex offender being placed in a community corrections program meet certain requirements for a sex offender being released on parole. This bill passed on second reading in the House and will be heard on third and final reading on Monday.
SB20-175Assessment Score On A Student's Transcript: Concerning the prohibition of indicating an assessment score on a student's high school transcript. This bill passed in the House on second reading and will be up for third and final reading on Monday.
HB20-1002College Credit For Work Experience:Concerning a statewide plan for awarding college credit for work-related experience. This bill passed unanimously out of the House, as well as the Senate State Affairs committee. The bill heads to Senate Finance on Monday.
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, and Vice Chair of the Statutory Revision Committee.
COVID-19 Recovery Bills
Our "socially distanced" celebration photo after passing SB20-213 out of committee
This coming week, I will be carrying a few new bills related to COVID-19 recovery. These bills will help address some of the hardship that people and businesses have experienced as a result of COVID-19.
HB20-1413 Small Business Recovery Loan Program Premium Tax Credits: Concerning the establishment of a state and private investor funded small business recovery loan program, and, in connection therewith, authorizing the department of the treasury to obtain the state share of funding for the program by selling insurance premium tax credits to qualified taxpayers and authorizing the state treasurer to contract with a program manager to establish and administer the program.
HB20-1412 COVID-19 Utility Bill Payment-related Assistance: Concerning assistance for individuals unable to pay their utility bills due to economic hardship caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and, in connection therewith, transferring money received from the federal government pursuant to the "CARES Act" to the energy outreach Colorado low-income energy assistance fund to provide such assistance.
HB20-1410 COVID-19-related Housing Assistance:Concerning assistance for individuals facing a housing-related hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and, in connection therewith, transferring money received from the federal government pursuant to the "CARES Act" to the eviction legal defense fund and the housing development grant fund to provide such assistance.
SB20-213Alcohol Beverage Retail Takeout And Delivery: Concerning the authority of businesses licensed to sell alcohol beverages for consumption on the licensed premises to sell alcohol beverages for consumption off the licensed premises.
COVID-19 Resources
New video: Masks Are Your Passport To The Colorado You Love
If you have questions or need resources that are not covered by the links above, send me an email and we will track down what you need.
Donations to
Rachel For Colorado
I am pleased to announce that I will be running for re-election for a second term as your senator for Senate District 19. I would be honored to have your support! Can you help by making a contribution? THANK YOU!
