Gov. Hickenlooper calls for an extraordinary session
As I'm sure you've heard, the Governor has issued an Executive Order calling for an extraordinary session beginning on October 2, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. Here is a link to the official proclamation.
The reason for the special session has to do with Senate Bill 267, known as the Sustainability of Rural Colorado. One of the bill's provisions consolidated two distinct taxes on retail marijuana into a single tax. This consolidation inadvertently exempted certain special districts.
We will meet for a minimum of three days, since that is how long it takes to pass a bill. Other than that, there is no set number of days until we conclude.
Governor's press conference announcing the special session
Interim committee reports
Last Wednesday, I participated in a day-long
Transportation Legislation Review Committee meeting. The TLRC is comprised of the members of the Senate and House Transportation Committees and has authority over CDOT, the driver licensing and vehicle registration functions of the Department of Revenue, the Regional Transportation District, Public Highway Authorities, Regional Transportation Authorities, and railroads.
The TLRC approved of four bill drafts on a range of topics. Staff will prepare the drafts and we will vote at our next meeting whether to sponsor these bills as a committee. One bill proposal would require human trafficking education for all students seeking a commercial driver license at accredited CDL schools.
The
Statutory Revision Committee went through a similar process last month. We reviewed both topics and bill drafts with the intent of cleaning up
the statutes for the purpose of discovering defects and anachronisms in the law and recommending needed reforms.
Topics ranged from the nonsubstantive clean-up of law providing state sales tax exemption for drugs and medical and therapeutic devices, to replacing the word "pauper", a term that is no longer an appropriate reference for indigent people.
The Statutory Revision Committee took a break from our meeting to view the eclipse
CABE President's Award
Last Wednesday, I was honored to receive recognition from the
Colorado Association for Bilingual Education for working to pass the Seal of Biliteracy. The President's Award is one of the highest honors given by CABE for outstanding contributions made to the field of Bilingual Education in Colorado.
I also learned last week that I am a recipient of the Colorado Civil Justice League's "Common Sense in the Courtroom" Award for 2017. The CCJL works to stop lawsuit abuse while preserving a system of civil justice that fairly compensates legitimate victims. The ceremony will be in late October.
With CABE President Ernesto Sanchez
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. She is a member of the Senate Education Committee, Transportation Committee, Statutory Revision Committee, Student Safety and Youth in Crisis Committee, CDOT Efficiency and Accountability Committee, and the School Finance Interim Committee.
Arvada/Westminster Legislative Town Meeting
There will be two town meetings in the month of October, both featuring candidates for local office. The first forum will be on Saturday, October 14 at 10:30 am, at Covenant Village in Westminster, and will feature the candidates for Westminster City Council. The second forum will be on Saturday, October 21 at 10:30 am, at the Standley Lake Library, and will feature the Arvada City Council candidates. We hope you will take advantage of this opportunity to meet the candidates and ask them your questions!
Candidates for Arvada City Council "At-Large" position
Tracking your Senator
On August 21, I attended the
Statutory Revision Committee... On August 23, I attended the
School Finance Interim Committee... On August 24, I toured the
Carin' Clinic, a site that
provides affordable, high-quality health care services to children between the ages of birth and 18 years... On August 26, One Colorado celebrated the Ally Awards... On August 29, I met with Principal Carrothers of Swanson Elementary and Director Jeff Glenn of the Apex Park & Recreation District to discuss the new Secrest Recreation Center... On August 30, I met with a member of the Arvada Young Professionals, Heath Rost, to discuss regulartory reform... On September 7, I met with the Colorado Department of Higher Education, the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, and the Workforce Development Council... On September 9, I attended the Harvest Festival Parade... On September 14, I attended the Jeffco Council on Aging... I also met with a group of constituents to discuss possible legislation for the upcoming session... On September 15, I attended the Arvada Chamber of Commerce 3rd Friday Breakfast... On September 16, we hosted our monthly Arvada/ Westminster Legislative Townhall Meeting... On September 20, I attended the Transportation Legislative Review Committee... I also attended the CABE Awards Gala where I received the President's Award... On September 21, I attended the CDOT Efficiency and Accountability Committee.
With Karen Pramenko, one of the co-founders of the Carin Clinic
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 pay for brochures, direct mail, the website, newsletter, and other tools that make voters aware of what is happening down at the State Capitol. THANKS!
