The legislative session runs for 120 days, which means we have less than one month until the session ends. Similar to downhill skiing, the pace will pick up dramatically as we race to to the bottom of the hill, and there are still some tough moguls ahead.

Last week, the House debated and passed the state budget and nearly all the orbital bills (page 222). The Joint Budget Committee will come together today week to hash out the differences and figure out a way to accommodate our colleague's changes. I'll follow up with a summary of the budget next week.

Now that we are close to finalizing the budget, bills with an appropriation will start to move. For example, last week several of my major bills passed through the Senate, namely SB23-099 on special education funding, SB23-082 on foster youth housing, and SB23-001 on affordable housing. In addition, HB23-1089 on special education services for foster youth, also passed unanimously.

Coming up this week, SB23-007 on adult education will be heard in the Senate Appropriations Committee, and HB23-1061 on allowing a retail establishment to serve complementary alcohol beverages, will be in the Senate Business Committee the following week. And, I still have seven House bills that have yet to come to the Senate (HB23-1135, HB23-1189, HB23-1228, HB23-1241, HB23-1263, HB23-1276). Hopefully they make it over to me in the Senate soon!

The next big project for me will be the inroduction of the School Finance Act. This is the bill that funds the state's share for public schools, including any buy down of the Budget Stabilization Factor. Things are shaping up very nicely for school finance this year, including a large increase in per pupil funding, as well as extra funding for special ed, rural schools, gifted and talented programming, and more. The bill will be introduced next week, so stay tuned for more details.

April 6, 2023 Summit Daily News: There's a lot packed into Colorado's $38.5 billion budget. Here is what you need to know about it.

April 5, 2023 Colorado Politics: $38.5 billion Colorado budget wins preliminary OK with fragile deal between Democrats, Republicans

April 3, 2023 Colorado Springs Gazette: Senate approves adding $40 million to Colorado's special education funding

April 3, 2023 The Colorado Sun: Here are 6 things to know about Colorado's $38.5 billion budget

April 2, 2023 Denver Business Journal: Colorado lawmakers begin debating proposed $38.5B budget

April 3, 2023 Colorado Politics: Colorado Senate adopts state budget, sends it to the House

April 2, 2023 The Center Square: Colorado Senate sends $38.5B budget to House

April 2, 2023 Patch: Colorado Legislature Begins Debate On $38.5B State Budget

April 2, 2023 The Colorado Sun: What makes a good school? A task force could recommend changes to how Colorado answers that question.

April 10, 2023 RELEASE: Zenzinger & Roberts’ Bill to Accelerate Affordable Workforce Housing Projects Clears Senate

April 3, 2023 RELEASE: Senate Approves Bipartisan Zenzinger Bill to Improve Special Education Funding in Colorado

Mark your calendars now for next month's town hall meeting. Please plan to join us on Saturday, April 15 from 10:30 am - 12:00 pm at the Indian Tree Golf Course Clubhouse, 7555 Wadsworth Blvd, Arvada, CO 80003. The topic for April will be mental health. For more information, click HERE.

Below is a list of bills that I am sponsoring that have been introduced and are awaiting action from either the House or Senate. For a full list of bills, click HERE.

SB23-099 Special Education Funding: Concerning funding for special education services. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate.

HB23-1061 Alcohol Beverage Retail Establishment Permit: Concerning permitting a retail establishment to serve complementary alcohol beverages at a place of business. The bill will be heard in the Senate Business, Labor & Technology Committee on Tuesday, April 18 at 1:30 pm.

HB23-1089 Special Education Services For Students In Foster Care: Concerning the continuation of special education services for a student in foster care when the student moves. The bill passed through the Senate unanimously!

In an effort to be transparent and accessible, here are the events and meetings that I have attended in the last week as your state senator: