Potential ballot questions debated, one moves forward
There are two ways
initiatives can end up on the ballot in Colorado, either by citizens through the petition process or from the General Assembly legislatively reffering a measure. Amendments referred by the legislature require a 2/3 vote of each chamber.
Another measure that proposes reducing the age qualification for state legislative candidates, successfully passed through the Senate.
SJCR17-001 will refer to the ballot whether we should
reduce the age qualification for a member of the general assembly from twenty-five years to twenty-one years. If the measure passes through the House next week, you will see the question on the November ballot.
I voted in favor of both measures (HB17-1242 was heard in Senate Transportation Committee prior to being heard in Finance). While I heard arguments both for and against the two measures, I believed the questions were reasonable enough to appear on the ballot so that the people could decide. I am disappointed the voters will only have an opportunity weigh in on one of these questions.
Showing off our denim for 'Denim Day' to promote awareness of sexual assault victims
Dissapointing finish on bills
Last week I presented my last two bills of the session,
HB17-1261 and
HB17-1262. Both measures dealt with campaign finance reform and were killed in the Senate State Affairs Committee, 3-2.
The first bill aimed to require "Paid for by" disclosure statements for electioneering activity over $1000. You may recall last year that a number of glossy, anonymous fliers with false claims appeared on doorsteps during the election. It was highly unusual for those fliers not to disclose who paid for them, but as I soon found out, not illegal.
The second bill proposed closing the reporting gap on electioneering activity during the months of July and August. Current law states that electioneering activity over a $1000 must be reported 30 days before the Primary and 60 days prior to the Election. When the Primary Election moved from August to June, it created a reporting gap.
As much as we would like campaign activity to stop during the months of July and August, we all know that doesn't happen. Under current law, the electioneering activity will eventually get reported, but after the Election has occurred. We feel voters deserve to know WHO is trying to influence their vote and IN REAL TIME versus when it's too late.
Several news outlets reported on the bill's demise including the Colorado Independent and Colorado Politics. Despite these setbacks, I was happy to sponsor these important bills and hope to bring them up again in the future.
With Will Toor at the Heroes of Sustainability dinner sponsored by the Alliance for Sustainable Colorado
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
Our final 'Coffee With Consituents' of the session will be on Friday, May 12 from 7 am - 8 am at the Indian Tree Golf Course in Arvada. We will talk about what happened during the session and any ideas you have for the next legislative session. Hope you can join us!
'Doll Day' kicks off the CO Children's Campaign "Kids Report" release
Tracking your Senator
On Monday, we honored the
Gold Star Families with a resolution... We also commemorated
Holocaust Awareness Week with a resolution... On Tuesday, we welecomed the
Leadership Program of the Rockies... We also read a memorial to support the designation of
Camp Hale as the nation's first national historic landscape to preserve its rich military history... On Wednesday we had a resolution to recognize
"Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month"...
We also had a resolution for the "Colorado Day of Remembrance of the Armenian Genocide"... And, we had 'Denim Day' at the Capitol for sexual assault awareness... I presented SH17-1261 and HB17-1262 to the State Affaris Committee... I was interviewed by KRDO TV out of Colorado Springs, about the transportation funding bill that failed... On Thursday, it was AVID day at the Capitol... I attended the Colorado Childlren's Campaign 'Kids Count' report release... I welcomed students from Lyons Middle and High School to the Capitol... And I attended the Heroes of Sustainability dinner hosted by the Alliance Center... On Friday, we recognized Colorado workers who died on the job and commemorated the 28th Anniversary of Workers' Memorial Day... We also celebrated the Colorado Interior Design Coalition day at the Capitol... We paid tribute to Colorado Teachers who were at the Capitol for CEA's lobby day... It was also Concrete Day at the Capitol... And I attended the Colorado Democratic Education Initiative meeting... On Saturday, I attended NARAL's annual gala.
Speaking to students from Lyons Middle and High School
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!
