Legislative agenda shakes out as session approaches
In Colorado, the legislature performs its official duties in 120 days between the months of January and May. That means the second session of the 72nd General Assembly is right around the corner. The five bills each legislator is permitted to carry must be filed with the
Office of Legislative Legal Services by this time, and our proposed changes to state policies hammered out.
The JBC with members of the Rural Interpreting Services Project (RISP) Pilot
During the interim I've met with constituents, attended interim committee meetings, and spoke with businesses and organizations throughout the district. These community conversations have shaped my legislative agenda. I'll be tackling education funding, enabling more home care opportunities for the elderly and disabled, and expanding adult education. I am resurrecting a bill from last year on check engine lights and pursuing legislation to address transportation, housing, and college affordability. To learn more, please attend my legislative preview January 11 (details in the side column).
I'll also be entering my fourth and final year of my first term in office. Legislative sessions that occur in an election year are usually plagued by political grandstanding or exaggerated interpretations of relatively minor differences for the sole purpose of landing on a campaign flier or Facebook ad. My goal this session is to avoid these partisan distractions and focus on getting things done in a collaborative and bipartisan manner.
Please continue communicating with me your priorities for the district, and I hope that you have an enjoyable holiday season as we enter into the new decade!
What's Happening at the Joint Budget Committee
In early November, the Joint Budget Committee began our regular meeting schedule to start formulating the 2020-21 state budget. As a reminder, the JBC consists of six members--three from the House and three from the Senate--and is tasked with studying the management, operations, programs and fiscal needs of the various agencies of the state.
The JBC meeting with Governor Polis in the newly renovated Old Supreme Court Chambers
In the weeks leading up to the legislative session, the JBC receives budget briefings from our nonpartisan budget staff about the needs of each department. Then, after we have time to dig in and review the requests, we hold a hearing with the divisions to learn more and to ask questions of department heads directly. This includes the three independent agencies as well: the Treasurer, the Secretary of State, and the Attorney General.
The JBC won't make any final decisions on these budget requests until after the legislature convenes and we get closer to figure setting, which occurs in March. Until then, if you have any feedback on the Governor's recommendations or any legislative priorities that are important to you, please let me know!
Below you can find a list of briefings and hearings to date, and click HERE for our JBC schedule going forward!
November 12, the JBC held an organizational meeting, received the 2020-21 Budget Overview, a Marijuana Tax Policy briefing, Treasury briefing, and Compensation briefing.
November 13, the JBC met with Governor Polis to discuss budget recommendations, received a briefing on the Department of Transportation, Agriculture, and Military and Veteran Affairs.
November 14, the JBC received a briefing on Medicaid Rates, Evidence-based Programs, and Common Hearing Questions.
November 18, the JBC received a briefing on the Department of Law, the Tobacco Master Settlement, and Capital Construction.
November 21, the JBC received a briefing from the Department of Public Health and Environment, the Department of Local Affairs, and Education.
November 22, the JBC had a hearing with the Department of Agriculture, and the Department of Transportation, and received a briefing on Public Safety.
December 2, the JBC received a briefing on the Department of Personnel, a hearing with the Department of Treasury and PERA.
December 3, the JBC received a briefing on the Judicial Department, the Department of Labor and Employment, and a hearing with the Department of Military and Veteran's Affairs.
December 4, the JBC received a briefing for the Department of Human Services, and a hearing with the Department of Law.
December 5, the JBC received a briefing on the Department of Education and a hearing with the Department of Local Affairs.
December 6, the JBC had a hearing with the Department of Public Health, and received a briefing on the Department of Public Health and Environment and the Department of State.
December 9, the JBC received a briefing on the Department of Natural Resources and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing.
December 10, the JBC received a briefing on the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing and the Department of Human Services, and a hearing with the Department of Public Safety.
December 11, the JBC received a briefing on the Department of Regulatory Agencies, a hearing with the Department of Personnel and the Department of Corrections.
December 12, the JBC received a briefing with the Department of Human Services, the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, and Human Services.
December 13, the JBC had a hearing with the Judicial Branch and the Department of Labor and Employment.
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, Chair of the Statutory Revision Committee, a member of the Interim School Finance Committee, and a board member of the Statewide Internet Portal Authority.
2020 Legislative Preview
Please join Reps. Brianna Titone, Tracy Kraft-Tharp, and myself for a 2020 Legislative Preview. Come learn about the bills we plan to carry and initiatives we will be working on this coming session. The preview will take place on Saturday, January 11, from 11:00 am - 12:00 pm (location TBD).Please note the start time is a half hour later than our usual town hall meeting. Once the location has been determined we will post the information to our respective websites and social media pages.
Receiving recognition from the Colorado Talking Book Library
Monthly Town Hall
Mark your calendar for our monthly town hall meeting January 18, 10:30 am - 12:00 pm, at the Standley Lake Library. The topic is behavioral health care. Michelle Barnes, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Human Services, will join us to share the work of the Behavioral Health Task Force in developing Colorado's strategic plan. At the meeting, you will have an opportunity to provide public testimony and/or feedback on the behavioral health system in Colorado.
Meeting with Cub Scouts Pack 203
Tracking your Senator
On November 12, the Joint Budget Committee began meeting for briefings and departmental hearings... I attended the Colorado Business Legislative Roundtable...
On November 13, the JBC met with Governor Polis to discuss budget recommendations... I also met with the Department of Transportation...
On November 14, I met with officials from CenturyLink... And, I attended the Jefferson County Business Lobby Legislative Reception...
On November 15, I met with the Department of Human Services... I spoke at the Democratic Education Initiative...
On November 16, I toured Arbor View Nursing Home and held a town hall meeting with the residents...
On November 18, I met with 9to5 to discuss FAMLI...
On November 19, I met with the Jefferson County Public Health agency... I met with Colorado Succeeds... I met with History Colorado... I met with CDPHE... I met with CDHS...
On November 20, I met with the Colorado Hospital Association... I met with the Colorado Public Defender's Office... I met with Public Safety... I met with the Spring Institute...
On November 21, I spoke at the League of Women Voters' Legislative evening...
On November 22, I met with education stakeholders to discuss a uniform mill levy...
On November 30, I attended the Tree Lighting Celebration in Olde Town Arvada...
On December 2, I met with Attorney General Phil Weiser... and I met with MSU President Janine Davidson...
On December 5, I met with the Colorado School for the Deaf and Blind Director Nancy Benham... I attended the SIPA Board Meeting... I was the guest speaker with Cub Scout Pack 203...
On December 6, I was interviewed by Shaun Boyd of Channel 4 News on my bill for Adult Education...
On December 7, I attended the Colorado Talking Book Library Volunteer Appreciation Brunch to receive a certificate of appreciation... I spoke at the Arvadans for Progressive Action monthly meeting...
On December 9, I met with the Jefferson Center for Mental Health...
On December 10, I attended the Colorado Gives Day event with the Ralston House... On
December 11, I met with the Colorado Department of Higher Ed... I also met with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment...
On December 12, I met with the CU President Kennedy... I also met with the Department of Education...
On December 13, I met with CDOT Director Shoshana Lew... I met with adult education stakeholders... I met with Lisa Hill of Invest in Kids...
On December 14, I volunteered with the Arvada Jefferson Kiwanis bell ringing.
Speaking at the League of Women Voters Legislative Event
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
Donations to
Rachel For Colorado
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!
