We are one-third of the way into session and in full swing! In the Senate last week, we debated a host of supplemental budget bills. These bills will make several mid-year adjustments to the current year's budget, and then we will begin crafting next year's budget in earnest. I'll be joining the budget committee next week, just in time to influence the direction of billions of dollars that support our state.

Last week marked my final hearings as Chair of the Senate Education Committee. I will miss serving as Chair, but my new role on the JBC will offer me plenty of opportunities to influence education. Plus, I will remain connected to education through bills I am sponsoring, including SB22-137 on K-12 accountability. This bill will be heard in the Senate Education Committee this coming Wednesday.

Speaking of education, I have passed eight bills so far this session, and the majority of those bills will positively impact education. Some have received attention, such as the bill I passed this week to increase special education funding (SB22-127), while others passed unanimously without much fanfare. So far, here are the bills I have passed out of the Senate or Committee:

While I still have more Senate bills in the hopper, my House bills will soon arrive in the Senate, and the majority deal with topics other than education, such as housing, public safety, and consumer issues. Also, I will be sponsoring several bills related to the interim task forces to address affordable housing, behavioral health, economic recovery, and workforce revitalization. Thankfully, we still have 80 more days until the end of session to get it all done!

Senate District 3 Vacancy Committee elects replacement: On Saturday, members of the Senate District 3 vacancy committee in Pueblo chose a replacement for outgoing Senator Leroy Garcia. The Committee elected Nick Hinrichchsen of Pueblo to serve out the remainder of Garcia's term. Hinrichsen is a former transportation officer for the U.S. Army and current operations supervisor for Pueblo Transit. The seat will be up for election in November. For more information, click HERE.

Expanded Child Tax Credit: This year, due to the American Rescue Plan, the Child Tax Credit was expanded to help cover the cost of food, housing, health care and transportation for Colorado families.Also, for the first time, the Earned Income Tax Credit can be worth up to $1,500 for some workers without kids at home. Make sure to file your taxes to receive the full Child Tax Credit. For free tax help, or to learn more, click HERE.

Artwork displayed in Capitol for Black History Month: As a way of kicking of Black History Month, a dozen or so works of art featuring local Black artists were put on display throughout the Capitol. The artwork is the latest installation of the Creative Capitol Exhibition and run by Colorado Creative Industries. The dozens of paintings, drawings, and illustrations help elevate the talent and perspective of Black artists and highlight both lived experience and the vibrancy of our creative sector in Colorado. If you can't make it in person to view the art, you can see and read about the display HERE.

National Unclaimed Property Day: Even though National Unclaimed Property Day was on February 1, it is not too late to be reunited with your money. Unclaimed property such as gift certificates, unpaid wages, or uncashed checks with your name on it, must be held by the State Treasurer until you claim it. According to our State Treasurer, Dave Young, it only takes 30 seconds to check and see if you have unclaimed property. To learn more, click HERE.

U.S. Congress works toward historical designation for Camp Amache: Around this time every February, we commemorate the Japanese Internment Day of Remembrance in honor of the Japanese Americans who were unjustly incarcerated at internment camps across the United States. In Colorado, 7,000 Japanese Americans were imprisoned at the Granada Relocation Center in Granada at the site of Amache. This week, the U.S. Senate passed a bill that will designate the former Amache Camp site as a federal historical site and included in the National Park system. To learn more, click HERE.

CBS Denver: Bill To Increase Special Ed Funding By $93 Million Passes Education Committee

Chalkbeat Colorado: Special education funding bill brings Colorado close to 2006 promises

Denver Business Journal: Colorado House passes bill targeting online resale of stolen goods

The Villager: Colorado Senate Democrats announce new leadership

Colorado Newsline: Special education funding in Colorado would get permanent boost under bipartisan bill

Fox 31 KDVR: Bill to require online seller disclosures advances

For a full list of this week's press and videos visit rachelforcolorado.com/news.

After more than a year's break, we are pleased to announce that "Coffee With Constituents" is back! We will be meeting on Friday, February 25 at 7:00 am at the Morning Story Restaurant, 8025 Sheridan Blvd., Arvada, CO 80003. Let's get together and discuss what is happening down at the Capitol this session. For more details, click HERE.

Not a morning person? Busy on the weekends? Then 'What's Brewing at the Capitol' is the event for you! This is a casual meet-and-greet with your State Senator over a pint of beer from a local brewery. We will be meeting on Tuesday, March 8 at 6:30 pm at Kokopelli Beer Company, 8931 N Harlan St, Westminster, CO 80031. For details, click HERE.

Due to a conflict with the Jefferson County Democratic Assembly, the next town hall meeting will move to Saturday, March 26. While the location is yet to be determined, we will be returning to our in-person meeting next month. So mark your calendars now for Saturday, March 26. Once details become available, I will post them HERE.

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.

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.

SB22-121 Tuition Revenue Pledged by Institution Higher Education: Concerning increasing the amount of tuition revenues pledged by an institution of higher education. Passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee.

SB22-127 Special Education Funding: Concerning funding for special education services. Passed unanimously out of the Senate Education Committee and referred to Senate Appropriations.

SB22-137 Transition Back to Standard K-12 Accountability: Concerning measures related to the transitional return to standard education accountability. Will be heard in the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday, February 23 Upon Adjournment.

HB22-1057 Public Employees' Retirement Association Employment After Teacher Retirement: Concerning public employees' retirement association employment after retirement limitations. Introduced and assigned to the Senate Education Committee.

HJR-1002 Study State and Interstate Highway Vehicle Weight: Concerning a request that Congress allow the state of Colorado to conduct an analysis of and possibly move forward on harmonzing the gross vehicle weight for trucks on the Interstate Highway System in Colorado with that of other state highways. Will be heard in the Senate Transportation & Energy Committee on Tuesday, February 22 at 2 pm.

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