Not all bills--or issues--are black and white. Sometimes legislation comes up where there is no clear side or where the community is equally divided. Often, the bills we consider are much more complex than a simple "aye" or "nay" vote.
This past week included several examples of this. We debated issues where there were both good and bad elements. I'll walk you through some of those key moments and will try to explain where I landed.
On Monday we debated
SB17-143 a clean-up bill concerning the retail sale of alcohol beverages. In the 2016 legislative session, the general assembly enacted SB16-197, which changed the system for licensing establishments that are authorized to sell alcohol beverages. While the bill began as a way to address unresolved details, it became diluted and morphed into a special interest bill that had the potential to hurt small local businesses. I ended up voting "no" o
n an 18-17 vote that crossed party lines. You can read more
HERE.
On Tuesday, we debated another bill that crossed party lines.
SB17-156 addresses construction defects reform, an issue I've worked on since I served on the Arvada City Council. In my opinion, the bill provides a common sense and balanced solution that protects consumers from faulty construction while also increasing more affordable options for home ownership. The bill was heavily debated, with good arguments on both sides. I argued in favor of the bill and joined the prevailing side with an "aye" vote. The debate was captured well by the
Colorado Statesman and in the
Denver Business Journal.
And on Friday, we debated
SB17-061 concerning the distribution of additional operational funding to charter schools. The bill was laid over until Monday, but I heard the bill in committee and voted against it. I also spoke against the measure on Friday. This was a difficult decision for me, not because I object to charter schools or don't wish for them to have this additional funding, but because it takes away local control. T
he revenue in question is generated at the local level and is under the purview of the locally elected school board, and so I believe the decision belongs with them. Also, voting for the bill wouldn't change anything for our district because we already do what the bill proposes.
All three bills generated vigorous and emotional debates on the Senate floor. Because the bills were contentious, I tried to focus on the the policy, rather than the politics, to determine how they would affect our district specifically. While we may not all agree, I hope it's clear that I weighed the various sides carefully and respect the opposing perspectives. Thank you for communicating with my office about where you stood, no matter which side you took. We appreciated your feedback!
On Wednesday, the long-awaited and much anticipated transportation bill was introduced. If passed, HB17-1242, sponsored by the Senate President and Speaker of the House, as well as the Transporation Committee chairs, would refer a ballot question to the voters this coming November for statewide election to temporarily increase the sales and use tax to fund transportation.
If the voters agree, the bill would generate approximately $702 million in additional revenue. The first $300 million would be dedicated to CDOT for the purpose of funding transportation projects from the strategic transporation investment program. The revenue will leveraged up to $3.5 billion in bonding for projects across the state. Of the remaining amount, 70% will go to cities and counties with maximum flexibility to spend on their local priorities. And 30% will go toward a newly created multimodal transportation options fund.
The bill also repeals sections of the Road Safety Surcharge within FASTER, saving taxpayers approximately $76 million annually. For example, it reduces the surcharge on a small passenger vehicle from $23 to $9.
With the Women's Leadership Foundation celebrating HJR17-1017 to Increase Presence Of Women On Corporate Boards
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.
Arvada/Westminster Legislative Town Meeting
Please join Representatives Tracy Kraft-Tharp, Lang Sias and myself for our monthly joint bipartisan town hall meeting this coming Saturday, March 18 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at Covenant Village of Colorado, 9153 Yarrow Street, Westminster. We are hosting two speakers, Senators Kevin Lundberg (R) and Dominick Moreno (D), members of the Joint Budget Committee to speak about the state budget and related issues.
Special town hall event: "Pies and Charts"
If you didn't get enough budget talk on Saturday, join me the following week for a special presentation on how the State budget is sliced. Get your forks ready for the Colorado Fiscal Institute's annual "Pies and Charts" presentation on Saturday, March 25, from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm, also at Covenant Village of Colorado. Guest speaker Tim Hoover will discuss what's baking for this year's 2017 legislative session. And since Tim is an expert on TABOR, plan to bring your questions on that topic too. We will even dish up some yummy pie to eat while listening!
Save the date for next "What brewing?"
Mark your calendar for the next "What's brewing at the Capitol?" event on Wednesday, March 29 from 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at the Twenty Brew TapHouse, 11187 Sheridan Blvd #10, Westminster. This is an informal event where you can meet other constituents from the district and hang out at one of the district's fantastic local breweries. Bring your questions and other topics of interest and enjoy a discounted beer with your state legislator.
Tracking your Senator
On Monday I was supposed to join the
Colorado Rural Electric Association at their luncheon, as well as
Padres Jovenes Unidos, but we ended up debating bills through lunch and I missed both... Tuesday was
Property and Casualty Insurance Day at the Capitol where I met with constituent and insurance agent
Rich Seymour of Farmers Insurance... I also met with constituent
Baille Barbour of State Farm... On Wednesday I joined the
Women's Foundation for breakfast to celebrate
International Women's Day as well as a
House Joint Resolution that I co-sponsored encouraging more women to join corporate boards... Also, I celebrated my first
Bill Signing of the session...Later, the
Senate Minority Office hosted a mid-session press conference to discuss our legislative priorities for the remaining session... My office staff met with
Lauren Clark, an occupational therapist... On Thursday I met with representatives of the
Colorado Trial Lawyers Association to discuss bills concerning insurance... I also met with constituent
Dr. Kim Benage, a physician with
Clinica Family Health of the Colorado Community Health Network... I also met with constituent
Gene Sobczak,
Executive Director of the Alzheimer's Association Colorado Chapter... I also attended the
Colorado Petroleum Council's luncheon... I also met with
Dan Jablan of Farmer's Insurance to discuss pending insurance bills... and I met with
Andy Karsian of CDOT to discuss transportation issues... Friday we had our monthly
"Coffee With Constituents" meeting at the Indian Tree Golf Course... I also had a meeting with constituent
Karen Wagner, a Teach Plus fellow, to discuss the Every Student Succeeds Act and the fifth indicator... and Saturday I attended the annual Colorado Democratic Party dinner where I witnessed constituent
EuEll Santistevan received an award.
With constituent Gene Sobczak of the
Colorado Alzheimer's Association
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!
