Tangle over transportation; SB1 not the solution yet
We experienced our longest debate of the session thus far over
Senate Bill 1, the Republican bill aimed at financing transportation improvements.
The main issue driving the five-hour debate on Wednesday had to do with the revenue source for financing the transportation bonds.
The bill proposes repealing the COP's issued last year in SB17-267 for transportation projects and to refinance those projects through bonding. The revenue is supposed to come from a 10% diversion of our general fund. The diversion, which will become permanent, means that other departments who rely on those funds will experience cuts.
I offered a series of amendments that would have included more money for local governments as well as increase the percentage for multi-modal projects, but they were defeated. The
bill was laid over twice and we have not yet voted on it. I plan to continue working on it and perhaps we can still reach a compromise. The bill is slated to come back to the floor on Wednesday.
Debating Senate Bill 1 on the Senate floor
Sexual harrassment still a problem at the Capitol
A few weeks ago, the Colorado House of Representatives voted to
expel Steve Lebsock over sexual harrassment claims of five women that were investigated and found to be credible. The expulsion came after hours of intense and emotional debate.
I am disturbed that the same type of situation in the Senate has not yet been addressed.
Sen. Randy Baumgardner was also accused of sexual harrassment. The situation was investigated and the claims were also found to be credible. But rather than allowing the Senate to debate a resoultion to expel, we are forced to continue working as if nothing has happened.
This was particularly evident this week as we tried to debate Senate Bill 1. I have already written about the policy problems with the bill (see above), but Sen. Randy Baumgardner's sponosorship complicated the debate. As I note in this article by the
Denver Post,
"How do I work with a colleague from across the aisle who has this cloud hanging over him?"
Sen. Kerry Donovan speaks on the issue of sexual harrassment and its effects on her personally
Rachel Zenzinger
Rachel Zenzinger won election to the Colorado State Senate, representing District 19, in November 2016. She serves on the Senate Trasnportation Committee, Education Committee, and Statutory Revision Committee. She is also a member of several interim committees including the CDOT Efficiency and Accountability Committee and the School Finance Interim Committee.
"What's Brewing at the Capitol" this Wednesday
Our next "What's Brewing" event will take place at the Some Place Else Brewery,
6425 W 52nd Ave, Unit 6, Arvada, CO 80002. We visited this new brewery last fall during my District Discovery Tour and we really enjoyed it. The location is tucked into a small strip mall east of Marshall Liquors. Join us on Wednesday, March 21 at 6:30 pm for some good conversation and a microbrew with your state Senator!
Legislators attending the
Jeffco Never Again Rally
Coffee With Constituents
Please join me on Friday, April 13 from 7 - 8 am at the Indian Tree Golf Course,
7555 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003, for my monthly "Coffee With Constituents" event. I provide the coffee and you provide the questions. Hope to see you then!
Students rallying at the Capitol over gun safety legislation
Tracking your Senator
On Monday, I met with
Gregg Moss of the
Metro North Chamber... I also met with students from Yuma as part of
Latino/a Advocacy Day at the Capitol... And I attended an event hosted by
Congressman Perlmutter... On Tuesday, it was
Property & Casual Insurance Day at the Capitol... I met with the facilitator of the
School Finance Interim Committee... I also met with Pamela Benigno of the
Independence Insitute to discuss education... On Wednesday, we celebrated
ACLU Citizen Lobby Day at the Capitol... Also, Speak Up for Our Kids was also in the building... And, I attended the
Jeffco Never Again Rally... On Thursday, I met with Jeff Thompson of
UC Health... I also attended the
Colorado Health Care Association legislative reception... On Friday, I attended the
Arvada Chamber's 3rd Friday Breakfast on Workforce Development... It was
Bleeding Disorders Awareness Day at the Capitol... and we celebrated
Women in Politics... On Saturday, we had our monthly
Town Hall Meeting on the subject of PERA... Also, I attended the
Jeffco Dems County Assembly.
Speaking to students from Yuma as part of Latino/a Advocacy Day
If there is an event you think I should attend, please notify me!
Donations
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