It has been nearly six weeks since the legislative session wrapped up and I've managed to stay pretty busy! I celebrated my daughter's 6th grade continuation at the end of May, attended several of my other daughter's gymnastics meets, played a little tennis with my fiancee, and have met with several new candidates running for local and state office.
Adding to my summer fun, I received a new committee assignment! I will be joining the
Statutory Revision Committee. The purpose of the committee is to
examine state statutes for ambiguities, redundancies, or anachronisms, and then recommend changes.
The Statutory Revision Committee formed back in 1977 and operated until 1985. The legislature reconstituted the committee last year, and since then the committee has already successfully eliminated over 30 pages of obsolete text from the law books.
I'm very pleased to serve on this committee as I find it extremely gratifying to eliminate antiquated, redundant, or contradictory rules of law and to bring the laws of this state into harmony with modern conditions. The committee will meet every other month and we already have several new proposals to consider. Please let me know if you have any suggestions!
Bill signing ceremony for construction
defects litigation reform
School Finance Interim
In addition to the Statutory Revision Committee, I was also appointed to serve on the School Finance Interim Committee.
This committee assignment came from legislation (HB17-1340) we passed at the end of session to study school finance issues and make recommendations concerning how to most accurately meet the educational needs of students through the funding of education in Colorado.
Our first meeting will be Monday, July 24 where we will review the enacting legislation and discuss any bids received as a result of the RFP to select an outside vendor. The interim committee will contract with a private entity to assist in the study.
Colorado's public schools have been chronically under-funded for years. The problem, however, is much more complex than simply increasing funding--how we use the money matters! After almost two decades of tax cuts and TABOR, we need to get creative and put forward a real plan that will move our schools from the bottom of the funding list, to the very top!
Bill signing ceremony at Foster Elementary with Rep. James Coleman
Meet our new Jeffco Schools superintendent!
The Jefferson County School District announced a series of meet and greets with our new superintendent, Dr. Jason Glass, on Monday, July 10. He officially takes the reins on July 1.
Superintendant Glass wants to know your thoughts on three key questions: What should we keep doing? What should we stop doing? What should we start doing?
There will be three stops in Senate District 19 at the following locations on Monday, July 10:
7:30-8:30 a.m., Village Inn, 9000 Yukon St., Westminster
9-10 a.m., Steamers Coffeehouse, 8565 Five Parks Dr., Arvada
I plan to attend all three meetings and I hope you will join us!
With Dr. Jason Glass at award ceremony for establishing a Seal of Biliteracy
Happy Independence Day!
There are a variety of opportunities in Senate District 19 for some 4th of July fun. If you are interested in activities in Arvada, c
lick HERE. I
f you are interested in activities planned for Westminster, click HERE.
Also, as a friendly reminder from the
Arvada Fire Protection District, fireworks are illegal in Arvada. For a non-emergent report of use of fireworks, use their hotline at 720-898-6919.
According to the Westminster Fire Department, limited fireworks use in Westminster is allowed, but only from midnight on July 3 to noon on July 5.
And if you are traveling over the holiday, visit CDOT's website for travel tips and road warnings. Please be safe out there, and God Bless America!
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.
Arvada/Westminster Legilsative Town Meeting
Please join us Saturday, July 15 at 10:30 am for our monthly legislative town meeting hosted by Rep. Kraft-Tharp, Rep. Lang Sias and myself. Next month's topic will feature Westminster Mayor Herb Atchison and Mayor Pro-Tem Alberto Garcia to discuss the new Westminster Downtown (old mall site). We meet at the Standley Lake Library, 8485 Kipling St, Arvada, CO 80005.
Panelists on housing issues at Colorado Counties Inc. conference
Tracking your Senator
On May 15 we presented a tribute at the
Arvada City Council meeting to honor the passing of Officer Glassman, as well as the promotion of Roberto Ramirez... May 16, I attended the
Westminster City Council community meeting at Countryside... May 17, I attended a 5th grade class presentation at
Ellis Elementary School on the benefits of the Seal of Biliteracy...later that evening I spoke at the
DPS Seal of Biliteracy ceremony honoring over 400 students who earned the seal... On May 18,
Governnor Hickenlooper came to Foster Elementary to sign into law HB17-1201...May 19, I attended the
Arvada Chamber of Commerce 3rd Friday breakfast and presented a tribute to
Ron Marquez in honor of his retirement... Later, I was honored by
Colorado Concern with a Legislative Leadership award for my efforts on construction defects reform... May 20, we hosted our monthly
Legislative Town Hall with journalists Peter Marcus and Ed Sealover... that evening I was honored by the
Columbine Lodge with an award for excellence in sponsoring the Seal of Biliteracy... On May 23, I delivered a legislative wrap-up to the
Arvada League of Women Voters... I also attended a forum on homelessness sponsored by the
Community First Foundation... On May 25 I presented certificates to scholarship awardees at
Secrest Elementary's 6th grade continuation ceremony... On June 2, I presented a tribute to
Dr. Bindle in recognition of his retirement at Pomona High School... On June 5, I delievered a legislative wrap-up to the
Jefferson County Business Lobby at their Summer Board meeting... later in the day, I spoke on a panel about housing at the
CCI Summer Conference... On June 7, I attended
New Era's Toast to Democracy... On June 13, I was a panelist at the
Commuting Solutions Post Session meeting... On June 14, I attended the opening of the
Denver Beer Company in Olde Town Arvada... On June 15, I attended the
CDOT Accountability and Efficiency meeting... On June 16, I was a guest panelist for a legislative wrap-up at the
Arvada Chamber of Commerce... On June 17, we hosted our monthly
Legislative Town Hall where we discussed the opioid crisis... On June 18, I attended the
ONE Colorado Pride rally and parade at the Capitol... On June 20, I attended the
NARAL scorecard release... On June 23, I judged the sand sculptures for the
Arvada Chamber's Sand In The City event... On June 27, I attended the
Statute Revision Committee meeting at the Capitol.
Judiging sculptures at Sand in the City put on by the Arvada Chamber
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
Legislative Scorecards
Often, various organizations will monitor and take a position on certain key pieces of legislation. Then they will evaluate the legislator's voting record according to those positions. Here are the scorecards that I am aware of, and how I scored accordingly.
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!
