What’s happening at the Capitol this week?
Reporting to you from week four (!) at the Capitol. There’s no shortage of conversations about possible legislation that could have a large impact on school funding (e.g., full-day Kindergarten, fiscal reform, the School Finance Act, and mill levy equalization to name a few), but those haven’t yet been introduced. In the meantime, action is picking up in the Education Committees.
What’s important for you to know about this week at the Capitol?
- Governor Polis made the case for funding full-day kindergarten to the Joint Education Committee on Wednesday morning, stating that the time is now and the funding mechanisms are sustainable for full-day kindergarten to be fully funded in Colorado. You can join us in thanking the Governor for his leadership on this issue here. Insider tip: the Joint Education Committee meets every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m., and the topics are often very interesting. You can find archives and listen in live by clicking on “House Education” on this page.
- In House Education, HB19-1066 Counting Special Education In Graduation Ratespassed with a vote of 12-0 and HB19-1100 Prohibit Use Restriction On School District Property passed with a vote of 12-1.
Advocate’s Corner
Haven’t signed up for an upcoming training or event yet? There’s still time! Sign up below to get involved with legislative advocacy during this session at the Capitol.
Advocacy Training – Lunch & Learn
Monday, February 11, 11:30 – 1:00, Great Ed Office
You know your voice matters at the Capitol, but how do you make sure it’s heard? Bring your lunch and come hear from Senator Michael Merrifield about the best ways to engage your legislators. Sign up here!
Senate & House Education Committee Meetings
Thursdays, beginning at 1:00, Colorado State CapitolJoin Great Ed at 1pm every Thursday at the Capitol to learn about education funding policy coming up and then attend Senate and House Education Committee meetings with staff. Let us know if you’ll be joining us!
Great Ed’s Public Ed Funding Lobby Day
Thursday, March 14 starting at 9:30am
Come meet with your legislators, hear from seasoned legislative advocates, and spend a day influencing education funding policy! Sign up here to attend!
What’s Coming Up?
- Next week, the Joint Education Committee will be hearing from the Colorado Department of Education an update on teacher shortage, recruitment and retention.
- The Joint Education Committee meets at 7:30 in the Old State Library on Wednesdays, or you can listen from home.
- The Senate Education Committee will hear two bills on Thursday, February 7 that Great Ed is monitoring:
Legislator Highlight of the Week: Representative Julie McCluskie
This week we welcome Representative Julie McCluskie from House District 61! Having worked in Summit School District for almost a decade, Representative McCluskie understands what it really means to fund schools equitably and adequately. Consistently making time to hear the education community, Rep. McCluskie has been very open with Great Ed and the Great Schools, Thriving Communities coalition about her willingness to work on issues of public education funding and ensuring that all Colorado students get the education they need. Rep. McCluskie is particularly aware of equity issues between and within school districts, and is excited to support the Governor’s ask for funding of full-day Kindergarten so all students across Colorado start with a strong education. We are so glad to see her serving on the House Education Committee. Thank you, Rep. McCluskie, for your service! Adequate and Equitable funding for public schools in Colorado is a necessity and we know you’ll do your best to get us there.
If you have any questions about legislative proceedings, please contact betsy@greateducation.org.
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