Hello --
Greetings from the Capitol! After an over two-month temporary adjournment due to COVID-19, we have resumed our work at the state legislature. It has been a challenging few weeks and we still have difficult work ahead. From facing a global pandemic, an economic recession, and now the protests in wake of the killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor (and many more), the heaviness of these times continue to weigh on my mind as I do work for the people of Eagle & Routt Counties, as well as our entire state.
In this week's newsletter:
- A call for racial justice
- Legislative update
- Budget and Coronavirus relief package legislative update
- COVID-19 consolidated resources
|
|
A Call for Justice
I stand in solidarity with the Coloradans who are peacefully protesting and demanding change in light of the killings of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others. As a white man, I understand that I will never personally know the pain and suffering that minority communities have felt for centuries, but I am here as an ally to stand with you, learn from you, and work for change with you.
One big step to address law enforcement accountability in Colorado is happening at the Capitol right now. I have signed on as a co-sponsor of SB20-217, the Police Integrity and Transparency bill. While I am working to help amend this bill so that it does not have any negative unintended consequences for the necessary work of law enforcement, this bill will address police brutality and accountability in Colorado in several key ways. A good summary of this legislation can be found here. I have also been proud to sponsor and vote for many other criminal justice reform and police accountability bills during my time at the state legislature and will continue to do so.
I hear you, I support you, I stand with you.
|
|
|
|
Back to the Capitol! Legislative Update
We are addressing several bills that were still in progress when we took our COVID adjournment as well as many new bills that are being introduced to address both the economic and health fallout of the pandemic.
Here are a few of my bills that are working their way through the process:
Helping Rural Small Businesses
HB20-1003: Rural Jump-start Zone Act
Bipartisan Prime Sponsors: Reps. Roberts & Rich; Sens. Donovan & Scott
Status: PASSED HOUSE & SENATE; sent to Governor
Description: This is aimed at incentivizing new businesses to locate and stay in rural parts of the state by providing tax relief for those businesses and their employees.
More updates on this bill via the Daily Sentinel.
More Child Care Spots
SB20-126: Allow Home child care in HOA communities
Bipartisan Prime Sponsors: Sens. Story & Smallwood; Reps. Roberts & Van Winkle
Status: PASSED HOUSE & SENATE; sent to Governor
SB20-126 will allow home-based child care in Homeowners’ Association Communities. This bill will give CO families, even more, child care options, something we desperately need as we take steps to support workers and small businesses and strengthen the economy.
Helping Our Local Restaurants
SB20-213: Alcohol Beverage Retail Takeout And Delivery
Bipartisan Prime Sponsors: Sens. Bridges & Priola; Reps. Larson & Roberts
Status: Up for final vote in Senate this week, then will come to House
Description: This bipartisan legislation will put into law the Governor's executive order that has allowed restaurants and bars to sell carry-out alcoholic beverages, aimed to assist these establishments to continue making revenue in wake of the coronavirus pandemic and uncertain times ahead.
More on this bill via the Colorado Sun
Investing in Colorado's Water Infrastructure
HB20-1403: Colorado Water Conservation Board Construction Fund Project
Bipartisan Prime Sponsors: Reps. Roberts & Catlin; Sens. Donovan & Sonnenberg
Status: Passed House Second Reading
Description: This bill supports the water infrastructure projects that are ongoing throughout the state and allocates the funding helping our state implement the Colorado Water Plan.
Coming Soon: Property Tax Assistance for Businesses and Homeowners impacted by COVID-19
These are just a few of the bills I have written, sponsored, and passed this year. To see all of my 2020 bills, please click here.
|
|
Budget Update
The Joint Budget Committee has been hard at work dealing with the $3.3 billion budget deficit our state faces due to the coronavirus, a 25% reduction from fiscal year 2019-20. The 2020-21 budget passed the Colorado House earlier this week and the Colorado Senate yesterday. While the cuts are deep and painful, even worse cuts were staved-off with help from the federal government and we are also working on several pieces of new state legislation to protect public education funding.
To learn more about the state of the 2020-2021 budget, check out this Denver Post article.
|
|
|
|
Coronavirus Relief Legislation
This past week, we unveiled our coronavirus relief legislation package to help Colorado safely and quickly recover from the effects of the pandemic. These bills are aimed at boosting small businesses, protecting workers, preventing outrageous price gouging on essential goods, and much more. Several of the bills channel federal CARES Act funding directly to vulnerable Coloradans and small businesses.
Legislation to Help Coloradans Get Back to Work and Protect Public Health
- Coronavirus Relief Funds for Small Business Grants
- Small Business Recovery Loans
- Coronavirus Relief Funds for Mental Health and Substance Abuse Treatment
- Whistleblower Protection for Public Health Emergencies
- Ensuring Paid Sick Leave
- Reimbursement For Telehealth Services
- Coronavirus Relief Funds for 2-1-1
- Coronavirus Relief Funds for Domestic Violence Program
Legislation to Help Hardworking Coloradans Make Ends Meet
- Coronavirus Relief Funds for Housing Cash Assistance
- Coronavirus Relief Funds for Utilities
- Protections Against Price Gouging
- Coronavirus Relief Funds for Food Pantry Assistance
- Expand Access to Unemployment Insurance
- Strengthening Debt Protections
|
|
COVID-19 Resources
To get the most accurate information on coronavirus in your area, please visit:
Eagle County COVID-19 page
Routt County COVID-19 page
If you have any questions, CDPHE has set up a phone line (CO HELP) at 303-389-1687 or 1-877-462-2911 for answers in many languages. You can also email them at COHELP@RMPDC.org for answers in English.
The Governor’s office continues to provide daily updates with essential information on COVID-19. For a complete copy of his declaration and current media releases, click here. To stay updated with the Governor’s recommendations for best practices, his numerous executive orders, and all other updates, check his Facebook page and Twitter feed.
My past newsletters have contained many valuable resources related to COVID-19 - please click here to access those for more info.
|
|
|
|
How To Stay In Touch
Please always feel free to contact me via e-mail, phone, or text:
E-mail: Dylan.Roberts.House@state.co.us
Capitol Office: 303-866-2923
Cell: 970-846-3054
Follow me on Facebook and Twitter for daily updates!
|
|
Thank you for the privilege to serve this great district and the State of Colorado.
My best,
Dylan
|
|
|
|
|
