FLTI Week 16

“To live with hope in times that reward cynicism, I think, is a tremendous act of courage and resistance.” -Maria Popova

Dear Leaders,

What an incredible day on Monday! We met Senator Faith Winter who offered insight into education legislation, learned from Representative Froelich’s staff what priorities her office is focused on, and listened to the experience and passion of a lobbyist for Colorado’s Firefighters. Observing the Senate and House proceedings gave us an inside look at the “organized chaos” that happens during voting, and listening to testimonies during committee hearings gave insight to how legislators make decisions about bills. We even saw more than 500 citizens lined up to testify on the vaccine bill (which didn’t end until 4:00am)!

In Week 16, we will hear from a few local elected officials to better understand how local government works. We will also discuss the impact of laws on our children and families. Dallas Hall (former Mayor of Sheridan, current councilman of Sheridan and FLTI Alum), Joan Lopez (Arapahoe County Clerk and Recorder) and Pat Cronenberger (former Littleton Mayor, current South Metro Land Conservancy President, South Metro Housing Options Commissioner) will be joining us at 6:00pm. Please do not be late and disrupt the panel.

Finally, Angelica Fox of the Arapahoe County Early Childhood Council will be joining us for dinner to share information on their resources and programs. Learn more about ACECC here.

Important reminders:

• Final Project Reports DUE APRIL 30. The final report must be submitted to graduate.
• Please submit a three sentence description about your project in an email to Taylor before April 30. You will not be included in the 2019 State Civic Project Report if we do not have your description.
• I will be taking pictures of each of you on April 30. Please wear semi-professional clothing -– covered shoulders, no graphic t-shirts.

THIS WEEK:

In Session 16, we will discuss How Do We Understand the Law? in the adult room and Issues and Local Government in the youth room.

Adult Objectives:

• Learn how to access and identify laws that pertain to children and families.
• Discuss how the public can influence law.
• Discuss how to use law to support children and families through Civic Projects.

Youth Objectives:

• Identify issues that are priorities for the group.
• Learn the roles of local government and the mechanisms by which local government meets issues.
• Learn the relationship between local government services and Civic Projects.

Important Information:

• Article featuring (former) Mayor Dallas Hall in 2014
• Q&A article (by guest speaker David Gilbert) on Joan Lopez
• Press Release on Pat Cronenberg receiving DRCOG Distinguished Service Award

REMINDERS:

• Final Project Reports due April 30.
• 3-sentence project description and project title due by April 30.
  • Review the 2018 Civic Project Report for inspiration.
• Headshots will be taken April 30. Please wear professional clothing.

NEWS:

• Expect the wrangling over the Public School Finance Act to continue in the next to last week of the 2019 legislation session. Read more here.
• Very interesting project from CPR on “Since Columbine: 20 Years Later.”
• Want to support Beloved Community Village? Show up to the Denver City Council meeting April 29 5:30pm at 1437 Bannock St to show your support for the village’s move to Globeville. Free Pizza and Beloved Community Village T-Shirts for everyone.
• Bipartisan bill would permanently revoke certification for cops who lie on the record. Article here.
• A bill to fund Colorado’s K-12 schools gained unanimous approval from the Senate Education committee. Article here.
• Join Arapahoe County Commissioner Nancy Jackson tonight April 22 at 6:30 pm for conversation about property taxes and how the County spends your tax dollars. Info here.
• Fourth Annual THRIVE Conference aimed at helping Boulder County residents needing to build assets such as homes, businesses, post-secondary education, health insurance, and social justice. Register here.
• Special viewing of “13th” at the Nomad Theater followed by a facilitated discussion with Deputy Director of the Colorado Criminal Justice Reform Coalition, Juston L. Cooper, M.P.A. and Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty. April 23 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
• 9to5 Colorado’s fact sheet on HB 19-1309 MOBILE HOME PARK ACT OVERSIGHT attached.
• CPHA Webinar: Colorado Course Corrections-Steps to Health and Justice. More info here.

“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” -Harriet Beecher Stowe