Activities halted due to virus, including legislature
On Friday, the Legislature's Executive Committee met pursuant to Joint Rule 44 in response to the Governor's disaster emergency declaration and approved of
HJR20-1007. The resolution was voted upon by the legislature on Saturday, March 14 and will allow the legislature to temporarily recess for more than three days. We are slated to return on
Monday, March 30.
Presenting HB20-1039 to the Senate Business Committee with SIPA ED Jack Arrowsmith and Colorado Concern's Pete Kirchoff
In addition, the legislature approved
HJR20-1006 a Joint Resolution to ask the Colorado Supreme Court--via an interrogatory--to clarify the General Assembly's ability to count legislative days non-consecutively. The State Constitution limits the General Assembly's session to "no more than 120 calendar days," but does not clearly define whether that means consecutive days. Clarification from the Supreme Court would avoid the potential risk of litigation over ambiguity regarding the counting of those 120 days.
The Legislature also passed House Bill 20-1359. This legislation, drafted with the leadership of all caucuses and with the support of both the Colorado Democratic Party and the Colorado Republican Party, gives county political parties more control over state and county assemblies and how they are conducted and what procedures they must follow. This includes allowing for changes in location and allowance of electronic means of participation for delegates and candidates if such means can be secured by those entities.
These actions are rather historic and unfortunately necessary due to the spread of the novel Coronavirus and the implications of COVID-19. For more information and current updates on the virus and/or disease, you may CLICK HERE.
What will happen to the Long Bill (aka the Budget)?
While the legislature is taking a two week break, the Joint Budget Committee will continue working on the state budget during the interim.
Traditionally in mid-March, Legislative Council Staff and the Office of State Planning and Budgeting, present updated revenue forecasts to the Joint Budget Committee in order to start balancing the state budget. That forecast was originally scheduled for this coming Tuesday, but it has since been moved to Monday, March 16 at 1:30 pm. You can listen in on the forecast presentations HERE.
After we hear the forecast, the JBC will begin preparing the "Long Bill" (also known as the budget). Unfortunately, as you know, the economy has slowed considerably due to the Coronavirus pandemic, and the JBC members strongly suspect that we will have to make some significant adjustments to the budget.
In addition to funding core programs, we must be mindful of other factors affecting the budget, namely: "meeting statutory reserve requirements; caseload increases resulting from changes in economic conditions, population growth, and eligibility criteria; making statutorily required transfers to other funds; and accounting for maintenance of effort and other spending requirements for programs in accordance with the state constitution and federal requirements." These mandated items must be covered first and foremost.
I'll be sure to keep you updated in the coming weeks how the budget is coming along and what we think we will be able to pull together for next year. In addition, we may need to make some additional supplemental changes to the budget due to the Coronavirus. I will keep you updated on that as well.
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, and Vice Chair of the Statutory Revision Committee.
All constituent events canceled this month
Unfortunately, due to the spread of the novel Coronavirus, we are canceling all constituent outreach events for this month. We may need to cancel next month's activities as well, but have not made that call at this time. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at [email protected].
With student from
Arvada West High School
US Census kicks off
Every ten years, the United States government conducts a count of its citizens, conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau, a nonpartisan government agency. Each home should have received an invitation to respond to a short questionnaire-online, by phone, or by mail this week.
2020 Census: What is the Census?
The census provides critical data that we use to provide daily services, products, and supports. Every year, billions of dollars in federal funding go to hospitals, fire departments, schools, roads, and other resources based on census data.
The results of the census also determine the number of seats each state will have in the U.S. House of Representatives, and they are used to draw congressional and state legislative districts.
On Monday, the JBC heard f
igure setting recommendations for the Department of Human Services... I passed HB20-1036 an SRC bill on emergency medical services... On Tuesday, the JBC heard figure setting recommendations for Capital Construction Information Technology Projects and the Department of Higher Education... On Wednesday, we welcomed students visiting in honor of public education day at the capitol... We also welcomed the West Chamber Leadership group... I passed HB20-1039 on a Transparent Web Portal for Rulemaking and I passed HB20-1165 on Interior Design regulations... The JBC heard figure setting recommendations for the Department of Law... On Thursday, I passed HB20-1128 on Professional Development requirements for Special Education... The JBC heard comeback requests from departments... On Friday, the Senate Appropriations Committee met... The JBC heard comeback requests from departments and potential legislation... On Saturday, the legislature passed a resolution to suspend legislative activities for two weeks.
Members of the Progressive
Turnout Project
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
Donations to
Rachel For Colorado
I am pleased to announce that I will be running for re-election for a second term as your senator for Senate District 19. I would be honored to have your support! Can you help by making a contribution? THANK YOU!
