While some may be disappointed by the rainy weather this Memorial Day weekend, I find it to be somewhat fitting. Memorial Day, unlike Veterans Day, is a much more somber occasion marked by both gratitude and grief. Rain feels like both as well.

Yesterday, my extended family on the Western Slope gathered to mark the passing of my Uncle Jim, a veteran of the Vietnam War who died nine months ago. We have been unable to carry out his final wishes until now due to COVID. The war took its toll on my Uncle, both physically and mentally, and led to many struggles throughout his life. I am grateful to him and the countless others that have been willing to serve their country, and I am glad my family was able to return his ashes to the land he loved.

With all the bills coming and going this past week, I have not had an opportunity to highlight Senate Bill 21-253, one of my bills that ties into this weekend very well. This bill creates a license plate for women veterans with disabilities. While some may roll their eyes at legislation to create a license plate, I am proud to sponsor a bill that publicly marks the sacrifice of veterans who have put themselves in harms way to protect our country and physically paid the price for doing so. While it's a small gesture, this symbol offers us an opportunity to extend our gratitude to veterans--particularly women veterans who are often overlooked--while they are still among us.

I know that my Uncle Jim very much appreciated a word of thanks for his service and sacrifice. On this Memorial Day, I'm glad the Colorado legislature created an opportunity to demonstrate our gratitude to our disabled veterans, before the day comes where we must express our grief. And I want to extend my personal thanks to all the families of our veterans who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

Supreme Court rules in favor of school funding correction plan: Last Monday the Colorado Supreme Court ruled that HB21-1164, a bill that directs the Colorado Department of Education to implement a plan of correction to address an error in school funding, was indeed constitutional. This means that school districts may now recover millions of dollars in lost revenue due to erroneous guidance regarding Colorado's property tax system. After the ruling, the Colorado Senate took up HB21-1164 and passed the bill with bipartisan support. Now, school districts may bring their mill levy rates in line with what their voters have already approved in order to fund their local schools. Colorado Politics reporter Marianne Goodland wrote about the decision at length, and the story was republished in the Denver Gazette. Of all the bills I've ever sponsored, this one is the most consequential and will produce long-lasting benefit to our public schools for years to come.

Senate directs $3.8 billion in ARPA stimulus dollars: On Friday, the Colorado Senate introduced and took action on several bills utilizing federal funding allocated to the state through the American Rescue Plan. Of the five bills introduced, two will establish mechanisms to manage the influx of federal dollars, allowing the state to remain agile in our pandemic response over the coming months. Another two bills will create funding mechanisms for several new stimulus bills this legislative session. And an additional bill will preserve over $800 million for future investments following an interim stakeholder process this summer. After being passed in Appropriations Committee, SB21-288, SB21-289 and SB21-291 were given preliminary approval by the full Senate on second reading, and SB21-290 and SB21-292 await further consideration.

The Colorado Public Option bill: This past week, the Senate took up and debated the controversial HB21-1232 bill concerning the establishment of a standardized health benefit plan. And, as you no doubt heard through the media, I could not support the bill. While I believe the public option bill was filled with good intent, it was structured in a way that to me was likely to fail the very people it was designed to help. We were headed toward a situation in which people were destined to lose critical services. Despite efforts by the sponsors to address concerns, no amendment could override the remaining fact that the “public option” was no longer public or an option. Nevertheless, the bill passed through the Senate and now heads back to the House for concurrence.

Pre-trial reform bill get green light from Senate: The Senate took up Senator Lee's bill, SB21-273, on pre-trial reform this week and while I had significant concerns on an earlier version, SB21-062, many of those issues were sufficiently addressed in this new bill that I voted to support it for now. However, not all my concerns were addressed and I spoke at the well of the Senate to explain. I believe we have two halves to this problem--an inequity where people's income is determining their liberty, but also an injustice. If we are letting the poor and dangerous out with the same abandon as the rich and dangerous, then we have made the system more equitable, but it is still broken. I cannot believe that a Colorado that is more fair but less safe is our only option. I voted in support of fairness, but I think we must continue to fill in the rest of the picture. We have to consider not just what we are stepping away from, but what we are stepping into.

Colorado Comeback Cash vaccine drawing: In an effort to encourage more people to get vaccinated, Governor Polis announced the Colorado Comeback Cash Vaccine Drawing, where vaccinated Coloradans have the opportunity to win $1 million. Each week, for five weeks, one winner will be selected. Coloradans must be vaccinated by June 30 to qualify to win. For more information, click HERE or visit ColoradoComebackCash.com.

Colorado exceeds three million vaccinated: As of last Friday, the State of Colorado has reached more than three million vaccinated. According to state officials, more than 60.7% of those eligible have been vaccinated with at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, and more than 2.5 million people have been fully immunized. Anyone 12 and older is eligible to receive the vaccine. To find a provider, please visit: https://covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine/where-you-can-get-vaccinated. 

Where to find the COVID-19 Vaccine: To learn more about where you can get vaccinated visit: https://covid19.colorado.gov/for-coloradans/vaccine/where-can-i-get-vaccinated. Call the vaccine hotline at 1-877- CO VAX CO (1-877-268-2926).

Below you will find a list of bills that were introduced or acted upon last week. Updates and new bills are highlighted in red text. You can find a full list of all my bills on my website HERE or the state's legislative website HERE.

SB21-253 Women Veterans With Disabilities License Plate: Concerning license plates for veterans who have disabilities, and, in connection therewith, creating a license plate to honor women veterans with disabilities. The bill passed out of the House and was sent to the Governor.

HB21-1325 Funding Public Schools Formula: Concerning changes to the method for funding public schools, and, in connection therewith, amending the "Public School Finance Act of 1994" and establishing a school finance legislative interim committee. This bill was introduced and assigned to House Education and will be heard Tuesday, June 1.

HB21-1300 Health-care Provider Liens For Injured Persons: Concerning health-care provider liens related to charges for health care provided to a person injured as a result of the negligence or wrongful acts of another person. This bill passed out of the Senate and was sent to the Governor.

HB21-1230 Create User-friendly State Internet Rules Portal: Concerning creation of a user-friendly state internet portal relating to state agency rules. This bill passed out of the State Affairs Committee unanimously and referred to the Appropriations Committee.

HB21-1104 Professional Educator Licensure Renewal Period: Concerning extending the renewal period for professional educator licenses from five to seven years, and, in connection therewith, making and reducing an appropriation. This bill passed unanimously out of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the full Senate on Second Reading.

HB21-1094 Foster Youth In Transition Program: Concerning the transition of youth in Colorado's foster care system to successful adulthood. This bill passed out of the Senate and was sent back to the House to concur with amendments.

Here are the latest press articles from this past week that touch on legislation I am sponsoring. Also, you can view the full list on my website by clicking HERE.

Colorado Public Radio: The Year That Democrats Left TABOR Behind: How Billions In New Spending Can Cut Through Colorado’s Conservative Firewall

Sky Hi News: Colorado public option health care bill passes Senate

The Denver Post: The Spot: An update on the much-discussed public-private health insurance bill

The Colorado Gazette: Senate approves Colorado Option healthcare plan with one Democrat opposed

The Colorado Sun: Colorado Democrats’ big health insurance bill was amended 21 times. Here’s how it has changed.

Steamboat Pilot: Colorado public option health care bill passes Senate

Colorado Public Radio: Colorado Is On The Verge Of Creating A Government-Backed Health Insurance Option. It Would Be The Nation’s Second

Denver Business Journal: Despite changes and continued opposition, Colorado Option bill passes Senate

Associated Press: Colorado Option healthcare bill advances in state Senate

Colorado Politics: Empowering the public to help write the rules

The Coloradoan: Colorado Supreme Court clears way for property tax increase, more school funding

STL News: Colorado Governor Polis Signs Bills Into Law

Colorado Politics: State Supreme Court's ruling on mill levies to lead to property tax increases in some districts

Pagosa Daily Post: Colorado Supreme Court Rules on School Funding Reform

Kiowa County Press: Colorado Supreme Court gives school districts OK to raise revenue

Colorado Politics: State Senate Tuesday to take on fight over Colorado Option

Chalkbeat Colorado: Colorado Supreme Court clears way for property tax increases, more school funding

The Denver Channel: Gov. Polis signs bill to better protect kids from domestic abuse after murder of 10-year-old Ty Tesoriero

Grand Junction Sentinel: Colorado Supreme Court gives school districts OK to raise revenue, likely leading to property tax hikes

Colorado Public Radio: Lawmakers Want To Pass A ‘Colorado Option’ That Gives The State More Power To Regulate The Cost Of Health Care. Here’s Why That Matters

The Denver Gazette: Homeless teens may be aided by state extension of foster care

We hope you can join us at our next legislative town hall meeting for a legislative wrap-up on Saturday, June 19 at 10:30 am. Unfortunately, we were not able to secure a location for an in-person meeting. Nevertheless, we hope you can join us for one last Zoom meeting.