Colorado Legislative Strategies Updates 1.10.23

COLORADO LEGISLATIVE STRATEGIES NEWSLETTER
2023 Inauguration and Opening Day Speeches
January 10, 2023

​Introduction
 
The 2023 legislative session is now underway! Legislators descended on the Capitol from all corners of the state on Monday to kick off the session with swearing in, certifying election results, and opening day speeches from legislative leaders. On Tuesday it was Governor Polis’s turn for swearing in and delivering his inauguration speech. Here’s a recap of the speeches:

​Governor Polis
 
Governor Polis started his second term with an Inauguration Day speech to highlight his administration’s successes and to remind Coloradans that voters came together in November because Colorado wants unity, not division. Among the Polis Administration’s successes, free kindergarten, lowering the cost of healthcare, reducing taxes, and making progress toward our climate goals were at the top of his list. Governor Polis made it clear that Coloradans are asking for the same things: affordability, public safety, access to healthcare, and opportunity. 
Of course, this wouldn’t be an inauguration speech from Governor Polis if he didn’t also mention saving Coloradans money toward the end, and we’ll likely hear more of that in his State of the State address next week.
Full text of Governor Polis’s Inauguration Speech
 
Senate President Fenberg
 
Over in the Senate, Senate President Fenberg began his Opening Day speech by emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the prevention of gun violence, and how this might look in different contexts. Most importantly, he expressed the need for legislators to use understanding and compassion as they seek compromise and progress throughout the upcoming legislative session. Similar to Speaker McCluskie, President Fenberg reiterated the opinions of voters that were reflected in the November election, and the work that has yet to be done this session. Among issues brought up by President Fenberg, reproductive healthcare, addressing climate change, and maintaining election integrity seemed to be at the top of mind.
 
Full text of Senate President Fenberg’s Speech
 
House Speaker McCluskie
 
The 74th General Assembly is one of the newest, most diverse legislatures we’ve seen under the Gold Dome. To begin her first speech as Speaker of the House, Speaker McCluskie highlighted the strengths her caucus has found in diversity, and the goals they have been able to achieve because of this diversity. Speaker McCluskie emphasized that the expansion of the Democrat majority is indicative of Colorado voters’ support for the Democrats’ accomplishments in recent years, including reducing the cost of healthcare, investing in mental health, funding public schools, and addressing climate change. As the new Speaker of the House, Speaker McCluskie vowed to take every step to make Colorado more affordable while investing in schools, achieving climate goals, improving public safety, and protecting the freedoms of Coloradans.
 
Full Text of House Speaker McCluskie’s Speech
 
Minority Leaders Lundeen and Lynch
 
Despite leading the smallest minority caucus in over 80 years, Minority Leader Lynch stepped into his new leadership position with an optimistic and encouraging message. He expressed that his caucus will continue to prioritize affordability, cracking down on crime, and parental rights, even with Dems at a 46-19 supermajority. Although it earned him some criticism from the eight members of his caucus who voted against Rep. McCluskie to Speaker of the House, Minority Leader Lynch set the example by setting partisanship aside in support of Speaker McCluskie. 
 
On the Senate side, Minority Leader Lundeen expressed a similar message in which although Republicans are in the minority, many of the issues the legislature will address this session are issues for all of us. Specifically, Minority Leader Lundeen mentioned the decrease in affordability for Coloradans, the increase in crime our state has seen in recent years, the lack of ability to fund quality education, and the risk of unreliable water and energy. He spent the second half of his speech reiterating the value and importance of bipartisanship for the sake of allColoradans. 
 
Full Text of Senate Minority Leader Lundeen’s Speech
 
Full Text of House Minority Leader Lynch’s Speech
 
New Legislators
 
On the eve of the 2023 session starting, Representative Tracy Bernett (D-Boulder-ish) resigned from House District 12 after facing multiple charges of voter fraud and lying about her residency to run for office. A vacancy committee will be meeting soon to nominate her replacement. 
 
In House District 35, Lorena Garcia was chosen by a vacancy committee to serve out the remaining term of Adrienne Benavidez, who resigned last month as well. Garcia is a community organizer and currently serves as the CEO of the Colorado Statewide Parent Coalition.
 
Finally, in the other chamber, former Representative Perry Will was chosen by a vacancy committee on Saturday in Senate District 5 to replace Senator Bob Rankin who announced his retirement last month. The new senator will be sworn in on Thursday.