Joining the fight for
net neutrality; letter sent to AG
After hearing from a large numer of constituents who were upset about the recent FCC decision to roll back net neutrality, I decided to take action.
This week,
I sent a letter to state Attorney General Cynthia Coffman urging her to join with other state attorneys general in a lawsuit to push consumer protections on deregulated networks. I believe it's the only way to help avert an impending telecommunications disaster.
Colorado Politics reported on the story and included a full copy of the letter. And, I'll keep you updated with any effort that moves forward in the state legislature to address this situation.
The Metro North Chamber of Commerce
Legislative Issues Breakfast
SMART Act hearing reveals teacher shortage problem
This month the Colorado Department of Education and the Department of Higher Education presented to a joint session of the Senate and House Education Committees on the state of education in Colorado.
The report notes that there is an overall decline in both interest in the teaching profession and in retention of teachers. The rural districts, in particular, have the greatest difficulty in recruiting and retaining teachers, particularly in areas such as math, science, and special education.
The main factors influencing the decline in teachers are: low teacher salaries, rising costs of college education coupled with increased student loan debt, competition with more prestigious and higher paying professions, high costs of teacher licensure, increased teacher accountability resulting in lower job satisfaction, and a lack of differentiation in the teacher career pathway, etc.
This is a very serious problem that will lead to disasterous consequences if not addressed soon. I am looking into sponsoring a bill this session that will hopefully address some aspects of this problem. I'll keep you updated as the bill progresses!
Visiting the Capitol Dome with Colorado Succeeds and members of the STEM Partnership
Rachel Zenzinger
Rachel Zenzinger won election to the Colorado State Senate, representing District 19, in November 2016. She serves on the Senate Education Committee, Transportation Committee, and the Statutory Revision Committee. She is also a member of several interim committees including: Student Safety and Youth in Crisis Committee, CDOT Efficiency and Accountability Committee, and the School Finance Interim Committee.
Chalkbeat Colorado's 2018 Legislative Preview
I am very pleased to be a panelist for Chalkbeat's annual legislative preview. The panel discussion will center on key education topics likely to surface during the 2018 legislative session. We will address school funding and accountability, the state's teacher shortage, and much more! A Q&A will follow the discussion.
The preview is on Thursday, January 4 from 8am - 9:30am at the Lawrence Street Center, 1380 Lawrence Street, Denver, CO 80204 in the Terrace Room. For tickets and more information, visit: Chalkbeat.
Sen. Mike Merrifield and myself at the CASB Conference
Arvada/Westminster
Legislative Town Hall
Our first bipartisan and bicameral legislative town hall meeting of 2018 will be on Saturday, January 20 at 10:30 am at the Standley Lake Library. The topic is pending, but Rep. Tracy Kraft-Tharp, Rep. Lang Sias and myself will likely touch on activity from the early days of the new session, as well as update you on some of the bills we are planning to run this year. I hope you'll join us!
Standley Lake High School Town Hall on School Finance
Tracking your Senator
On November 28, I met with a group of constituents from the Arvadans for Progressive Action... On November 29, I attended a Westminster City Hall Town Meeting at Covenant Village... On November 30, I was a guest panelist at the Colorado Association of School Boards Annual Conference... On December 2, I attended Congressman Ed Perlmutter's Office Open House... I also attended the Cheers for the Holidays event sponsored by the Arvada Festivals Commission... On December 4, I attended the League of Women Voters "Night Out With Your Legislator" event... On December 5, I attended the Education Committee SMART Act Hearing... I also attended Lagniappe in Olde Town Arvada... On December 6, I was the guest speaker to the Jefferson Economic Council's monthly meeting... I also attended the Colorado Succeeds STEM Partnership meeting... On December 7, I attended the PEBC Superintendent's Forum... I also attended the CLLARO Capitol Fellowship meeting... As well as the Metro Mayors and Commissioners Legislative reception... On December 8, I was a panelist at the Metro North Legislative Breakfast... and I met with Jeffco Superintendent Jason Glass... On December 12, I attended Chief Don Wick's retirement celebration... On December 14, I was a panelist at Standley Lake High School to discuss School Finance... On December 15, I attended the School Finance Interim Committee meeting.
Metro Mayors and Commissioners Reception with Preston Gibson and Commissioner Casey Tighe
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!
