March 29, 2017 03:34 PM UTC

Get More Smarter on Wednesday (March 29)

• 1 Comments
• by: Colorado Pols

At least you’re not Brexiting! It’s time to Get More Smarter–if you think we missed something important, please include the link in the comments below (here’s a good example). If you are more of a visual learner, check out The Get More Smarter Show.

TOP OF MIND TODAY…

► Tired of winning yet? The once-secure nomination by President Donald Trump of Colorado federal judge Neil Gorsuch is growing more perilous by the day:

Mitch McConnell told his leadership team in private this week what’s becoming increasingly obvious on Capitol Hill: Supreme Court nominee Neil Gorsuch probably won’t get 60 votes to avoid a filibuster.

But the Senate majority leader had an equally pressing message: Republicans should have no compunction about pulling the trigger on the “nuclear option” — with Democrats resisting a high court nominee as well-pedigreed as Gorsuch.

“Feel no guilt,” McConnell said, according to attendees.

McConnell’s attempt to buck up his GOP ranks, relayed by three sources in attendance, underscores the high stakes of the Gorsuch battle as the Senate barrels toward a likely nuclear showdown next week: His confirmation is, to put it mildly, a can’t-lose for Republicans.

► In Colorado, the only real question left on Gorsuch is whether Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet will join fellow Democrats attempting to stop Gorsuch’s nomination…and no, we don’t know any more than you do.

► Colorado was a leader on implementation of the Clean Power Plan under President Barack Obama–and just because Trump doesn’t like the plan doesn’t mean Colorado is going to just walk away:

Following Trump’s order Tuesday, Hickenlooper said the president would “not deter Colorado’s efforts.”

“Our efforts to clean our air and protect the natural environment are part of what draws young people, families and businesses to Colorado,” Hickenlooper said. “Our outdoor recreation industry, which helps create jobs all across the state, is dependent upon cleaner air and water.

► Meanwhile, Colorado health care advocates wonder when–and if–Republicans are going to make another attempt at repealing the Affordable Care Act. Hint: they hope not.

Get even more smarter after the jump…

IN CASE YOU ARE STANDING NEAR A WATER COOLER…

► Republicans on the state legislature’s Joint Budget Committee are using, some say misusing, their powerful position to settle political scores–including impeding the rollout of Colorado’s new medical aid in dying law.

► A bipartisan compromise to reclassify the state’s hospital provider fee to ease budgetary constraints under the Taxpayer’s Bill of Rights (TABOR) faces a dicey future as Republicans line up against it.

► Same with the transportation tax deal.

► Same with Rep. Mike Foote’s bill to increase setbacks for oil and gas drilling from schools.

► Same with a bipartisan bill to provide regulatory relief to small businesses.

► On the upside, it’s looking good for self-driving cars.

► A bill to limit marijuana grows to 12 plants per residence advances, hoping to give Jeff Sessions a reason to delay cracking down on our state’s legal marijuana industry.

► Also, a bill to crack down on wage theft in Colorado appears to have finally gotten through the Republican gauntlet to Gov. John Hickenlooper’s desk after several years of trying.

► Everybody’s a winner: Democrats resolve a very close election for state party 2nd vice-chair by making all three candidates vice-chairs.

OTHER LINKS YOU SHOULD CLICK

► Solar power jobs in Colorado are on the upswing in a big way.

ICYMI

► Trump’s threats to crack down on “sanctuary cities” are not scaring people.

► The suspect in last Sunday’s vandalism at the Islamic Center of Fort Collins has confessed.

Don’t forget to check out The Get More Smarter Show. You can also Get More Smarter by liking Colorado Pols on Facebook!