Response to sexual harassment: Difficult, but certainly correct
The
news of the week in the legislature was the Friday vote by the House of Representatives to expel member Steve Lebsock for instances of sexual harassment. As a Senator, I was not involved, but I monitored the situation closely, because it affects everybody.
I thought my colleagues in the House did the right thing (and the 52-9 vote showed that there was little sense of indecision about what had to be done). I take no delight in the outcome of the vote to expel Rep. Lebsock. But I DO feel a huge amount of relief that the State Legislature is willing to conduct a self-examination, hold itself to a high standard, and take necessary steps, however difficult.
Unfortunately, much work remains ahead if we want to ensure that we foster a safe and respectful climate at the Capitol. There are several formal complaints of harassment against members of the Senate, and in particular we have an unaddressed Resolution that would similarly expel Sen. Randy Baumgardner. My attitude toward this situation is no different than the one involving Rep. Lebsock. We need to uphold high standards.
The House vote to expel Rep. Steve Lebsock
First bill signed into law
We were excited to join Governor Hickenlooper in his office for my first bill signing of the session.
Senate Bill 18-067 will allow o
rganizations conducting a special event to auction alcohol beverages in sealed containers for fundraising purposes.
This bill came to light when former City Councilwoman and current RTD Director Lorraine Anderson was planning a charity event on behalf of Ginny's Kids and received a letter from the Liquor Enforcement Division that silent auction items containing liquor are not allowed.
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.
Coffee With Constituents
Please join me on Friday, March 9 from 7 - 8 am at the Indian Tree Golf Course,
7555 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003, for my monthly "Coffee With Constituents" event. I provide the coffee and you provide the questions. Hope to see you then!
Meeting with constituent
Vicky Pyne and CASA volunteers
"Great Schools, Thriving Communities" town hall
Please join us for
a special edition town hall Saturday, March 10 to acquaint people with the efforts to improve the state's school funding formula. The
"Great Schools, Thriving Communities" Meeting and Petition Drive will be held at Covenant Village, 9153 Yarrow Street, Westminster, CO 80021 from 10:30 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., and will allow voters to learn about the school-funding ballot initiative and will provide an opportunity for voters to put their names on the official ballot petition.
Apprenticeship Day at the Capitol
Monthly Legislative Town Hall Meeting
Please join Rep. Lang Sias and Westminster City Councilwoman Kathryn Skulley on Saturday, March 17 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at Covenant Village, 9153 Yarrow St
, Westminster, for a Pro/Con discussion on PERA (Public Employees Retirement Association). Unfortunately, this meeting conflicts with the Democratic County Assembly, so I won't be able to join you. Nevertheless, we hope you will enjoy the opportunity to listen to the many sides of this important issue!
Tracking your Senator
On Monday, we celebrated
ONE Colorado's day at the Capitol... We also welcomed
Gus the 811 Gopher with Atmos Energy... We also welcomed constituent Vicky Pyne and
CASA volunteers to the Capitol... On Tuesday, we celebrated
Apprenticeship Day at the Capitol... Also, I attended a meeting on Housing with the
City of Arvada and constituents with
APA... I met with constituent and
CEA Fellow... We also welcomed the
EMS Association of Colorado to the Capitol... I met with constituents with the
Society for Human Resource Management... On Wednesday, I co-hosted
Rare Disease Day at the Capitol... I also welcomed constituents with
Indivisible for their Lobby Day at the Capitol... I also met with constituents with
Secure PERA... I met with constituents with
Habitat for Humanity to discuss housing legislation... I presented two bills in the
Senate Judiciary Committee... And, we had
"What's Brewing at the Capitol" at the Denver Beer Co. in Olde Town Arvada... On Thursday,
Governor Hickenlooper signed SB18-067 into law... We welcomed the
Colorado Association of School Boards to the Capitol... On Friday, I presented a
SJR-007 on National Speech and Debate Day... I also hosted students from the
Indepdendent Higher Education of Colorado including Regis University, Colorado College, and Denver University... And I read to students at
Foster Elementary as part of
Read Across America Day.
Presenting Speech and Debate Resolution with Sen. Lambert
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!
