September 14, 2015 11:10 AM UTC

Get More Smarter on Monday (Sept. 14)

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• by: Colorado Pols

Shanah Tovah, everyone. 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…

► We’ve got a little more than two weeks to go before facing perhaps the second federal government shutdown in three years. The Denver Business Journal thinks that there is a 50/50 chance that a shutdown will occur. The Denver Post takes a look at how calls to defund Planned Parenthood could complicate problems with finding additional money to complete the Aurora VA Hospital project. Elsewhere, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Kentucky) talks to Politico about being behind the wheel of a rapidly sinking ship.

► Senator Cory Gardner (R-Yuma) is speaking out in support of repealing Net Neutrality, as 9News reports:

Gardner called the relatively new regulations an overreach by the federal government, on behalf of the FCC…

…Net neutrality regulations were passed in February by a narrow party-line vote, 3-2, with three Democrats voting for and two Republicans voting against the rules.

The new regulations are designed to ensure that Internet Service Providers play fair when it comes to broadband bandwidth and speeds, preventing companies such as Comcast and CenturyLink from creating Internet “fast lanes” for content providers, such as Netflix and Hulu Plus, which can pay more for bandwidth than smaller streaming services or consumers can.

Cory Gardner is on his “anti-regulation” high horse, but how can he really think it is a good idea to allow Internet Service Providers to essentially control consumer’s access to the net?

Get even more smarter after the jump…

IN CASE YOU ARE STANDING NEAR A WATER COOLER…

► Coffmangate rolls on as opponents of Republican Party Chair Steve House continue trying to prove a point that is completely irrelevant to the discussion of blackmail/extortion involving Attorney General Cynthia Coffman.

► A report released on Friday by the Government Accountability Office indicates that officials need more information on potentially dangerous mines in Colorado. As the Denver Post reports:

A report released Friday by Congress’ nonpartisan watchdog agency says federal officials do not have a firm grasp on the thousands of abandoned and potentially dangerous mines on its land.

The Government Accountability Office study says some of the mines hold the potential for human and environmental health risks.

Meanwhile, Congressman Scott Tipton (R-Cortez) is still running around telling people that the EPA will be “held accountable” for its actions involving the Gold King Mine spill in Silverton last month.

► Senator Michael Bennet (D-Denver) spoke at the annual Club 20 meeting on the Western Slope over the weekend and explained his decision to support President Obama’s foreign policy deal with Iran. As Charles Ashby reports for the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel:

“I do believe there’s a principled argument that says that Iran is the biggest exporter of terrorism in the world, Iran is anti-Semitic, Iran has threatened the existence of Israel, Iran has threatened our existence, Iran has done nothing to earn the validation of its nuclear program, and I agree with all of that,” Bennet told about 400 people at Club 20’s annual fall meeting at Two Rivers Convention Center.

“But make no mistake. No deal doesn’t mean a better deal,” he added. “No deal means they get the benefit of sanctions relief … and they’re going to be able to build a bomb in secret.” [Pols emphasis]

►Lamar Democrat Bob Seay says that he plans to seek the Democratic nomination in CD-4 for the right to challenge incumbent Republican Rep. Ken Buck (R-Greeley) in 2016.

► Congressman Jared Polis (D-Boulderish) is generating a bit of controversy over his remarks that colleges should perhaps consider a lower standard of proof when it comes to taking action against allegations of sexual assault on campus.

► Republican State Senator Kevin Lundberg is being criticized for his vocal support of Davis, who is not doing very well in her efforts to prohibit same-sex marriage licenses from being issued.

Davis returned to work in Kentucky today for the first time since spending nearly a week in jail for refusing to do her job; she now says she won’t interfere with issuing same-sex marriage licenses, but she also won’t authorize them, either. Legal experts are debating whether or not this “non-refusal refusal” is a violation of a judge’s order that Davis must follow the laws as they are written — regardless of whether or not she agrees with them. As CNN reports:

Davis’ work-around — not to sign licenses but not to interfere with her deputies if they do so — produced more questions than answers.

She acknowledged she is not sure on the legality of licenses altered in such a way.

On her first day back at work, Davis read a statement calling for state authorities to find a solution to accommodate her religious beliefs.

To recap, Kim Davis wants other people to figure out a way to allow her to not fulfill her elected duties as a county clerk.

Here’s a picture of Kim Davis sitting inside her office with the blinds closed, with a Rowan County Sheriff’s Deputy standing guard outside. Looks like a nice place for a nap.

► A massive study is being launched in Colorado to determine the health and safety of workers in the oil and gas business.

► Discussions about water availability should focus on conservation efforts, not on new diversion ideas.

► Castle Rock will lose significant resources for its senior center because the city council voted to reject federal funding over fears about the scary United Nations, or something.

OTHER LINKS YOU SHOULD CLICK

► Denver Mayor Michael Hancock has submitted his 2016 budget request to the Denver City Council.

► Another day, another poll with famous rich person Donald Trump leading the Republican field of candidates seeking the Presidency.

► Colorado Springs Mayor John Suthers is campaigning against another TABOR refund as he seeks funding to fill potholes in his city.

ICYMI

► Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker needs to do well in Iowa in order to take a real shot at the Republican Presidential nomination. Unfortunately for Walker, he’s cratering in his neighboring state.

► The Denver Broncos defeated the Baltimore Ravens 19-13  in their regular season opener on Sunday, but there is much hand-wringing about quarterback Peyton Manning.

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