May 12, 2015 10:45 AM UTC

Get More Smarter on Tuesday (May 12)

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• by: Colorado Pols

Add this to the list of reasons why we like basketball: You can’t possibly play the game with a deflated ball. It’s time to Get More Smarter with Colorado Pols. If you think we missed something important, please include the link in the comments below (here’s a good example).

TOP OF MIND TODAY…

► Senator Michael Bennet (D-Denver) is smack in the middle of trade deal discussions, including the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), that will shift into higher gear today in the Senate. As Mark Matthews of the Denver Post reports:

It’s not exactly a political vise, but with a major trade deal looming, U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet is feeling pressure from both President Barack Obama, who wants it, and liberal allies, who want nothing more than to kill it.

How the Colorado Democrat navigates the debate — expected to begin Tuesday — could have long-range implications for his political future and a trade agreement among the U.S. and 11 Pacific Rim countries.

Central to the fight is a legislative package that would give Obama more authority to negotiate trade deals. He and many Republican lawmakers support the plan, but it faces opposition from Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and other Democrats.

► State Sen. Ellen Roberts tried floating her name for the U.S. Senate (or CD-3) in an interview with the Durango Herald, and she didn’t do very well. Next time, Sen. Roberts, you might want to avoid calling your own interest in higher office “a long shot.” Tom Brady couldn’t have done a better job deflating this trial balloon.

► Edgar Antillon, the restauranteur and promoter of the since-cancelled “White Appreciation Day” tells Jason Salzman that he is no longer a Republican. But he’s also not a Democrat. Antillon is, however, registered as a Republican candidate for the State House in HD-32. So, um, whatever.

Get even more smarter after the jump…

IN CASE YOU ARE STANDING NEAR A WATER COOLER…

► A crack team of super-sleuths at 9News has figured out that elected officials often use private email accounts to conduct business. “9Wants to Know” why this is happening; we’re just curious why 9News is five years late to this story but still carrying on like they have a scoop. Next week they’ll be reporting about “raves” and light sticks.

► Colorado legislators will likely revive a bill to allow Coloradans collect water in rain barrels…next year.

► Open fracking water pits and no permits. Sounds like a bad combination.

► Governor John Hickenlooper is being asked to veto a last-minute piece of legislation that allows predatory lenders to dramatically raise interest rates.

► Louisiana Senator David Vitter, infamous for his carousing with prostitutes, may be the most disliked member of the Senate within the walls of the U.S. Capitol thanks to his obsession with getting rid of health care subsidies of lawmakers and staffers. Vitter is running for Governor in Louisiana, so maybe he can find some new friends.

► If Congressman Mike Coffman (R-Aurora) invites you to dinner, it’s going to get expensive.