Hop into updates on rural affairs and more!
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** Happy Easter!
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In the coming days and weeks thousands of Coloradans will be celebrating Easter, Passover, Spring Equinox, and other holidays. This is a great time to celebrate family and togetherness. Please celebrate responsibly and keep in mind that there are still local restrictions in place.
** COVID Updates
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The vaccine phases worked to target the most vulnerable of our population and get them vaccines quickly. Thanks to the hard work of The Colorado Department of Health and Environment, The Governor’s office, healthcare workers, local volunteers, and many others the vaccine will be available to the general public starting April 2nd. This is a monumental milestone and we are one step closer to recovery. Valley Wide Health Systems is offering vaccines in the Alamosa area. To sign up for an appointment visit [link removed] ([link removed]) or call 719-587-9610
** This week we celebrate Colorado Egg Producers!
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This next week will be chock full of of eggcelent events! In anticipation of Colorado Egg Month, the Colorado Egg Producers will be on 9News on April 1st at 10:00 am featuring local Colorado chef, Chef Emma Nemechek. She’s known for serving up dishes made with local eggs. They’ve also provided us with a lovely deviled egg recipe for their recipe of the month. Eggs make up a very important part of the agriculture industry in Colorado. Eggs are a vital part of our lives and diets. Eggs contain vitamins A, D, and E along with antioxidants! The Colorado Egg Producers have a longstanding history in the state and contribute so much to our daily lives.
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** Shuttered Venue Operaters Grant
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The United States Small Business Administration will be opening a grant application for businesses that have largely been shut down during the pandemic. Businesses that generally qualify include; Live venue operators or promoters, theatrical producers, live performing arts organization operators, museums, zoos, aquariums that meet specific criteria, movie theaters, and others. Any business that qualifies for this grant must have an active government System of Award Management (SAM) account in order to apply. To sign up and for more information visit SAM.gov ([link removed])
** More Local Oppurtunities
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** Pueblo Job Fair
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On April 1st and 2nd from 10am-4pm Pueblo’s Future is Better Together will be hosting a virtual job fair. Veterans can get early access at 9am. Many Coloradans lost their jobs last year and employment opportunities can be hard to come by. It is so vital that people have access to good jobs if we want to be able to rebuild our communities and economies. Businesses can also sign up to advertise positions and talk to potential employees. If you’d like to register for the event you can do so by clicking here ([link removed])
** César Chávez Day
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March 31st was César Chávez Day. Here in Colorado and across the United States we celebrate all he has done for labor rights and latino advocacy. He was the founder of the United Farm Workers of America, which was the first farmworker’s labor union in United States. César Chávez and other latino organizers worked hard to secure better working conditions and better pay for farm workers.
César Chávez was born in Yuma, Arizona on March 31st, 1927. He began working in the fields as a young boy. After stint in a segregated unit in the US Navy, he became an organizer for Community Service Organization (CSO), a Latino civil rights group. Chávez registered voters, and aimed to end racial and economic injustices. He became their national director but eventually resigned as CSO did not support his efforts to organize a farm worker’s union.
Chávez was the leader of the famous 1965 Grape Strike. He organized successful efforts to boycott California Grape Growers, organized a 350 mile march, and staged a 25 day hunger strike.This was all a part of the fight against incredibly low wages and poor working conditions seen in California’s agriculture industry. This is just one example of his persistence and dedication to the cause.
He went on to fight many battles in the aim to guarantee farm worker’s the right to organize. His impact on the United States cannot be overstated. He made huge sacrifices for his fellow man in the working class. He dedicated his life to fighting injustice and oppressive forces. Colorado has a large agricultural industry that often employs migrant workers. Chávez set the precedent for these important laborers here in Colorado to have access to labor rights. In his memory we ought to try and advance the rights of workers and latinos and persist until we are successful. We remember him on this day as a hero. Thank you César Chávez.
Photo Credit: National Public Radio (NPR)
** Colorado State Budget
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In the coming weeks The Colorado House and Senate will be voting on the state budget. Starting April 5th the week long process of approving the budget will start for House Representatives. We will carefully evaluate each piece of the budget. To give you a preview here are just a few budget items that will be voted on.
The Colorado Department of Education’s (CDHE) Quality Teacher Recruitment Program may receive a transfer of funds from the general fund .Additional funds may be transferred in order to restore the CDHE’s Educator Loan Forgiveness Program.
Additional funds transferred from the General Fund could be added to the Off Highway Vehicle Recreation Fund within the Department of Natural Resources. Funding may also be allocated to the Small Communities Water and Wastewater Grant Fund within the Department of Public Health and Environment.
Budget lines will also be considered for K-12 education, behavioral health, higher education institutions, wildfire mitigation, and many others.
** Rep. Donald Valdez’s Legislative Update
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HB21-1180: Measures To Increase Biomass Utilization ([link removed]) : The bill requires the state forest service to conduct a study of biomass utilization by identifying the potential costs and benefits of increasing biomass utilization throughout the state and any administrative or statutory changes needed to increase biomass utilization. This bill has made it all the way through the house on a 55-8 vote. It will soon be heard in the senate! This bill is so important for Colorado as it aims to improve the way we harvest energy and treat our natural environment.
SB21-145: Extending Expiring Tax Check-offs ([link removed]) : This bill has been drafted in regards to voluntary contributions on tax return forms. The voluntary contribution to the Colorado Healthy Rivers fund, the Alzheimer's Association fund, the Military Family Relief Fund, the Colorado Cancer Fund, the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Colorado fund, and the Unwanted Horse Fund are currently scheduled to appear on the state income tax return form for income tax years beginning on or after January 1, 2016, but prior to January 1, 2021. The bill reauthorizes the funds to remain on the form, so long as the funds meet the existing statutory requirement that a voluntary contribution fund must receive at least $50,000 in contributions each tax year. I am proud to have introduced this bill alongside my esteemed colleague Senator Simpson. It has already passed through the Senate and is currently being heard in the House Finance Committee. You might even consider making a
contribution to the Colorado Healthy River’s fund the next time you file taxes!
If you’d like to keep up with what bills are being introduced and where they are in the legislative process visit Bills, Resolutions, & Memorials | Colorado General Assembly ([link removed])
** Please reach out!
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I am here to listen! The needs of the community are my concerns.
[email protected]
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Copyright (C) 2021 Donald Valdez. All rights reserved.
From the desk of Donald Valdez
Donald Valdez
P.O. Box 110
La Jara, Co 81140
USA
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