Rachel Zenzinger for Colorado Senate District 19
Rachel Zenzinger
Colorado Senate
 March 5, 2017
21st Century issues addressed by legislation

Last week, the Senate approved of two bills that seem to be a sign of the times:
SB17-027 c oncerning an increase in the penalty for text messaging while operating a motor vehicle, and HB17-1014 to eliminate the criminal penalty imposed upon an elector for disclosing the contents.

According to a study quoted in a recent Denver Post article, about one in every 10 fatal crashes in 2015 involved a distracted driver. The bill made its way through two Senate Committees prior to coming to the floor for a vote. The bill will significantly increase the penalties for texting while driving, and will hopefully deter this reckless behavior. I appreciate the constituents who reached out to me with your stories of personal tragedy involving a distracted driver, and I was pleased to vote in favor of these tougher penalties. 

The other bill approved last week, known as the " ballot selfie" bill, lifted the penalties for  sharing completed ballots on social media. While there were good arguments on both sides, it came down to the First Amendment and how the existing law impeded political speech. Legislators who came up with the law in 1891 could not have predicted the evolution of technology, and certainly not the "selfie". It is still illegal to use social media to intimidate voters or for other bad behavior such as buying or trading votes.

A "selfie" with constituent Shawna Fritzler and 
Sen. Andy Kerr during the Colorado PTA reception
Educator Fellowship spends day at the Capitol

I was very pleased to welcome former colleagues from the  Colorado Educator Voice Fellowship  to the Capitol this week. Prior to joining the Senate, I worked as the manager of the program. I enjoyed catching up with the principals and teachers who travelled from across Colorado to the Capitol to elevate their voices about education policy. 

Reading a Senate Tribute recognizing the principals and teachers of the Fellowship

Approximately half the Fellows joined me on the Senate floor where I presented the Fellowship with a tribute recognizing them for their many achievements. Later, I joined the full Fellowship for lunch, and learned about the ways educators are working to share their perspectives about education with policymakers. 

CO EdVoice Fellows Nate Roskop (Pueblo) 
and Fernando Branch (Denver)

A pair of Fellows, Jess Buller from Kremmling and Elaine Menardi from Denver, have been working on an idea to improve STEM education in Colorado, and pitched their idea to several legislators. This idea became the basis for  HB17-1201 , and I am very excited to be one of the Senate sponsors. I'm looking forward to seeing this bill move successfully through the House. 

CO EdVoice Fellows Jess Buller and Elaine Menardi, with manager Lance Hostetter
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.
Coffee With Constituents

Our next SD19 gathering is "Coffee with Constituents" held the second Friday of every month at Indian Tree Golf Club, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada. Join us on Friday, March 10 from 7:00-8:00 am. We are pleased to welcome a special guest to the coffee, Sen. Dominick Moreno of the Joint Budget Committee. He will speak about his role on the JBC and answer any questions you may have about the state budget. This event  is intended to provide a more informal alternative to the monthly Town Hall meetings. 

OB/GYN students, residents and doctors advocating for women's health
Special town hall event: "Pies & Charts" 

With the State's budget about to drop, we are very pleased to host a special town hall event that will help answer your questions on how the budget is "sliced". Get your forks ready for the Colorado Fiscal Institute's annual "Pies and Charts" presentation on Saturday, March 25 at 10:30 am (location TBD). Guest speaker Tim Hoover will discuss what's baking for this year's 2017 legislative session. And since Tim is an expert on TABOR as well, plan to bring your questions on that topic too. We even promise to have some yummy pie on hand to eat while listening! 

Speaking at the Colorado Women's Legislative Breakfast 
Tracking your Senator

Monday was ONE Colorado's day at the Capitol and I met with a group of constituents to discuss several House bills...Also, I met with a group of OB/GYN students, residents and doctors to discuss women's health care issues... I also met with Jill Bastman, nursing student and constituent about the lack of clinicals available to students... Tuesday I was a guest panelist for the 28th Annual Colorado Women's Legislative Breakfast...On Wednesday we had a special presentation by Sabin Middle School from Colorado Springs in Senate Ed... I also met with Dr. Paul Williamson about transit and mobility issues in the NW corridor... Later in the evening I joined ONE Colorado at their Arvada statewide tour stop... Thursday I was pleased to welcome the Colorado Educator Voice Fellowship to the Capitol, where I presented them with a Tribute and joined them for their legislative lunch... We also welcomed ARC of Colorado for their lobby day at the Capitol... In Senate Education we confirmed the appointment of Kim Hunter Reed, our new executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education...Later in the evening I joined Sheriff Jeff Shrader for the Jefferson County Sheriff's Annual Awards Dinner... Friday we welcomed the Colorado PTA to the Capitol, and later I presented to the PTA and a group of students from Columbine High School, the bills I'm working on... I also met with constituent Geoff Bennet to discuss the legislative priorities of Catholic Charities... And on Saturday I was a panelist for the Arvadan's for Progressive Action to discuss my time on the Arvada City Council. 

Jeffco Sheriff Jeff Shrader at 
Annual Awards Dinner

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!  

 

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Helpful Links
  
  
Contact Information
  
200 E. Colfax Avenue
Room 339
Denver, CO 80203
303-866-4840
  
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