After the recent resignation by Senate President Leroy Garcia, a shuffle in our team lineup led to a key new role for me. First, the Senate Democrats chose Majority Leader Steve Fenberg to be our next President. Then Senator Dominick Moreno, a member of the Joint Budget Committee (JBC), was elected as our new Majority Leader, creating a vacancy on the JBC. Since we are at a critical juncture in the budgeting proccess, and given my previous experience serving on the committee, I was elected by acclamation to fill the role.

So what does this mean? I will be stepping down as the Chair of the Senate Education Committee, as well as leaving my assignment on Transportation and Energy. The demands of the budget committee, particuarly at this point in the game, are quite high and I must devote my entire schedule to getting up to speed so that I'm ready to play. With only six weeks left to balance the budget, it's crunch time!

Despite these midseason changes to our starting lineup, I made some key plays and scored several winning points last week. I passed two bills unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee: SB22-064 on neighborhood youth organization licencing and SB22-054 on adding Community Schools as an option for Turnaround. Also, two of my House bills came out of their respective committees unanimously as well: HB22-1099 concerning online marketplaces and third party sellers and HB22-1057 on public employees' retirement association employment after retirement limitations.

The budget committee changeover won't happen until February 24, which means I wiill have the honor of presiding as Chair of the Senate Education Committee for another week. This is good timing for me as I have two new education bills that will be this week: SB22-127 on Special Education funding and SB22-121 on the amount of tuition revenue that may be pledged by higher ed for capital construction. Enjoy the game!

Colorado Senate Democrats announce new leadership: The Colorado Senate Democratic caucus elected new leadership last week, beginning with Steve Fenberg (D-Boulder) to serve as the next President of the Colorado Senate, and Dominick Moreno (D-Commerce City) to serve as the next Majority Leader. Sen. Rachel Zenzinger (D-Arvada) was subsequently elected to serve on the Joint Budget Committee. Outgoing Senate President Leroy Garcia (D-Pueblo) said, "This dynamic and diverse leadership team has the experience and vision necessary to lead this caucus with dignity and honor, and I know they have what it takes to get the job done and move Colorado forward." The changes will take effect on February 24. To read more, click HERE.

Resolution to ask voters to stop time switch: Voters may get an opportunity to permanently stop switching between Mountain Standard Time and Daylight Savings Time. Colorado State Senator Jeff Bridges will bring forward a resolution that will refer the measure to the November ballot. If voters approve, the state would stay on Mountain Standard Time year-round. In addition, the resolution asks the United States Congress to adopt Daylight Savings Time year-round, an issue that has come up in Congress for several years and failed to pass. According to National Conference of State Legislatures, 19 states have adopted similar resolutions or legislation. To read more, click HERE.

Gov. Polis and state lawmakers unveil public safety plan: Top level state officials including Governor Polis, Lieutenant Governor Primavera, legislators, cabinet members, community leaders, and member of law enforcement, unveiled a new public safety plan to make Colorado among the ten safest states in the nation. The plan focused on policies aimed at preventing crim from happening, reducing recidivism, community safety, and behavioral health. For more information, click HERE.

Jeffco Public Health & Jeffco School Board rescind mask orders: In a special meeting last Thursday, the Jefferson County Board of Health voted to end the public health order requiring masks in all public, indoor settings, including schools and childcare settings, beginning on February 12, 2022. Additionally, the Jefferson Public Schools decided to no longer require masks in schools begining this week. For more information, click HERE.

Benefit concerts announced for Marshall Fire survivors: Several groups have banded together to raise money to aid victims of the Marshall Fire:

The Colorado Sun: “We are their parent”: Proposal calls for free college tuition for Colorado children in foster care

Denver Business Journal: Colorado bill takes aim at online marketplaces after big-box stores sound alarm on crime

Kiowa County Press: Colorado Senate elects new leadership as Garcia prepares to depart for Pentagon post

KDVR: Fenberg, Moreno to take new Senate leadership positions

The Denver Channel: Colorado Senate Democrats pick new leadership as Garcia departs

KOAA: Bill would provide free college tuition to Colorado youth in foster care

Denver Business Journal: Here's what the new Colorado Senate leadership means for usiness

The Colorado Sun: Steve Fenberg selected as next president of the Colorado Senate

Colorado Politics: Colorado Democrats pick Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg as next Senate president

Grand Junction Daily Sentinel: Colorado Senate elects new leadership as Garcia prepares to depart for Pentagon post

Daily Sentinel: Colorado Senate elects new leadership as Garcia prepares to depart for Pentagon post

Colorado Springs Gazette: Colorado Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg set to be next Senate president

The Denver Channel: Bill would provide free college tuition to Colorado youth in foster care

I hope you will join us for the next legislative town hall meeting. We will be discussing the final Affordable Housing and Behavioral Health task force recommendations. We will meet virtually on February 19 at 10:30 am. For more information, including the Zoom link, click HERE.

For a full list of active bills, visit www.rachelforcolorado.com/capitol or the Colorado General Assembly's website.

SB22-017 Fluid Milk Products Not Divisible Load: Concerning the determination that a load of fluid milk products hauled by a vehicle is not a divisible load under the vehicle weight limits permitted by law. Passed unanimously out of the Senate. Will be heard in the House Transportation & Local Governement Committee on Monday, February 14 upon adjournment.

SB22-054 Recommend Community School For Turnaround Plan: Concerning the addition of a recommendation that a district public school be converted to a community school if the district public school fails to make substantial progress under its turnaround plan. Passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee.

SB22-064 Neighborhood Youth Organizations: Concerning requirements for neighborhood youth organizations that provide services designed for the development of youth. Passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee and passed on Second Reading.

SB22-121 Tuition Revenue Pledged by Institution Higher Education: Concerning increasing the amount of tuition revenues pledged by an institution of higher education. Will be heard in Senate Education Committee on Thursday, February 17 at 1:30 pm.

SB22-127 Special Education Funding: Concerning funding for special education services. Will be heard in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, February 16 upon adjournment.

HB22-1057 Public Employees' Retirement Association Employment After Teacher Retirement: Concerning public employees' retirement association employment after retirement limitations. Passed unanimously out of the House Education Committee.

HB22-1099 Online Marketplaces And Third-party Sellers: Concerning mandatory disclosures of third-party sellers selling through online marketplaces. Passed unanimously out of the House Business Committee.