By Carolyn Martin (CHEC Director of Government Relations)

Rough Beginnings & More

Several times during the special session, work on the House floor was disrupted by pro-Hamas protestors. In much the same way, protestors prolonged the opening day proceedings of the current legislative session. During the speeches over the first few days, not unexpectantly, leadership laid out their aggressive plans for more government programs and more government intrusion into our lives in the name of the ‘common good.’ What was unexpected was a bill being scheduled for committee before it was even introduced. The bill repealed and reenacted a law passed during the special session that is the subject of a lawsuit by one of the House members, bringing some very contentious debate during the committee meeting and the floor debate.

After watching the quarrelsome beginnings of the session and reviewing the first round of bills introduced, it became clear that we wouldn’t see the usual election-year fluff bills and collaboration. This is going to be a rough year for the people’s liberty!

According to the majority in charge of the state, funding will somehow solve their problem with the public education system. Student enrollment is dropping across the state. Over sixty percent of children in the public schools are not proficient in reading and math. There is an influx of illegal immigrants flooding the system who can’t speak English. Their answer is not only more money but more control. Could this include an increase in regulations for homeschoolers? Rumors abound. For now, we wait. But we all need to be ready and not grow weary of protecting our families and our freedoms!

In the meantime, parental rights and religious liberty continue to be threatened. A bill to extend indefinitely a mental health program where parents are left out of their child’s care was heard in committee today. Another bill creates a task force to recommend policies on how to keep secrets from parents regarding a child’s gender confusion. Community members’ and parents’ voices who object to pornography in libraries will be overridden by a stacked committee if this bill passes. These bills are just the beginning. Our communities will be changed if they pass.

Stay informed & Be Heard!

Make sure to sign up for my prayer emails where you can stay up-to-date on concerning bills, find out when these bills will be in committee, and how you can make your voice heard!

Join us at CHECs Meet Your Legislator Day — February 15th!

Go here to find out what we’re doing this year and to register. You won’t want to miss this opportunity for you and your family to help protect the homeschool law in Colorado!

Trusting in the mighty power and grace of Jesus,

Carolyn Martin
CHEC Director of Government Relations
Carolyn@chec.org

About the Author: Carolyn Martin

Carolyn Martin serves as CHEC’s Director of Government Relations, working for you and other liberty-loving families to protect homeschool freedom, parental rights, and religious liberty at the state capitol. Subscribe to the CHEC blog for Carolyn’s regular updates here, learn more about legal issues in Colorado here, and donate to support Homeschool Freedom here. Contact Carolyn directly at carolyn@chec.org.