Udall attending judge’s investiture ceremony
Senator Udall will speak this afternoon at a investiture ceremony for Judge Brooke Jackson, who was the chief judge of the 1st Judicial District in Colorado and is now a judge on the US District Court in Denver.
http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_19263115
OPEIU backs legislation supporting podiatric physicians
Diana DeGette and Lee Terry have introduced bipartisan legislation that has support from the Office and Professional Employees International Union. The legislation would save billions of dollars and increase access to podiatric care.
http://www.marketwatch.com/story/opeiu-backs-legislation-supporting-podiatric-physicians-2011-11-04
Udall gives Mesa Verde a little attention
Senator Udall will be the chairman of a field hearing for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee’s National Parks Subcommittee on Saturday to discuss the management of archaeological and economic resources in that park and others. According to the National Park Service, there are over 6,700 jobs in Colorado parks alone.
http://durangoherald.com/article/20111103/NEWS01/711039940/-1/s
‘Pakistan plays role of fireman, arsonist in Afghanistan’
Senators Mark Udall and Jack Reed have returned from a trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan and say the coming weeks will determine whether or not Pakistan can be a reliable ally to the United States by strengthening their cooperation with one another. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton also visited Pakistan last month to try and improve relations.
http://tribune.com.pk/story/286988/pakistan-plays-role-of-fireman-arsonist-in-afghanistan/
Pinnacol again seeks to go private; Hickenlooper appoints task force
Governor Hickenlooper has appointed a nineteen person task force to determine the costs and benefits of allowing Pinnacol Assurance the chance to become its own private entity. Currently, Pinnacol is a quasi-governmental organization that has its board of directors appointed by the governor. A similar plan to separate in 2009 failed.
http://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2011/11/03/pinnacol-again-seeks-to-go-private.html?page=2
Related: Pinnacol floats new plan to privatize, Hickenlooper appoints panel to study the offer
Udall, Bennet get Boulder fire land-swap bill through ‘gridlocked’ Senate
After more than a year, legislation that would swap 5.7 acres of fire district land for federal land between Boulder and Nederland has passed the Senate. The legislation still needs passage through the House in order to become law. If it becomes law, the bill will allow two fire departments that currently sit on Forest Service land the opportunity to upgrade facilities.
http://coloradoindependent.com/105005/udall-bennet-get-boulder-fire-land-swap-bill-through-gridlocked-senate
Related: U.S. Senate passes bill to fix Sugar Loaf Fire Department land dispute
Activists gather food for needy families
Members of the Congressional Accountability Committee have launched a month long campaign called “Share the Burden” in Pueblo. They collected cash donations and nonperishable food items while also using the event to attack Rep. Tipton’s record in Congress, which activists claim worsens the “burden of the working poor and unemployed.”
http://www.chieftain.com/news/metro/activists-gather-food-for-needy-families/article_a15196da-06a3-11e1-8d93-001cc4c03286.html
Kerr loses Senate election by 2 votes, blames ‘radical right,’ meeting process
In a bid to replace Jefferson County Republican Mike Kopp, who resigned from the State Senate this fall, candidate Jim Kerr lost to Tim Neville by two votes.
http://blogs.denverpost.com/thespot/2011/11/03/state-rep-jim-kerr-says-radical-right-fighting-his-appoint-to-the-senate/45985/
Doug Lamborn: support Rocky Mountain PBS (no, really)
Rep. Lamborn, who has introduced two bills to cut funding of public radio and television, is now asking Coloradans to donate to PBS privately.
http://www.coloradopols.com/diary/16671/doug-lamborn-support-rocky-mountain-pbs-no-really
NATIONAL NEWS
In new book, Gabrielle Giffords vows to return to Congress
Rep. Giffords, in her forthcoming book, talks about the challenges she’s been faced with after the Tuscon shooting earlier this year, and that she plans on returning to Congress.
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-giffords-book-20111104,0,5806339.story?track=rss
Gallup poll: Obama scores points with Iraq withdrawal pledge
75 percent of Americans overwhelmingly support withdrawing American troops from Iraq, a Gallup poll shows.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politicsnow/la-pn-gallup-poll-obama-iraq-20111102,0,7366564.story
G20: Obama says there’s ‘no excuse for inaction’ on jobs
Speaking at the G20 Summit in France, President Obama says he’s experienced a “crash course in European politics,” and still urges Congress to take action on jobs by supporting parts of the American Jobs Act.
http://www.latimes.com/news/politics/la-pn-obama-news-conference-20111104,0,6980252.story?track=rss
Senate to vote on payment for hiring veterans
A bipartisan effort to pass two pieces of legislation that would give businesses tax credits for hiring unemployed veterans and giving veterans a year’s worth of benefits to fund further education at community colleges is likely to pass next week.
http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_19264558
House members file Amicus Brief, challenge DOMA
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi and many other Democratic Representatives have filed a brief against the Defense of Marriage Act that Speaker John Boehner is defending in court at “considerable taxpayer expense.” The Democrats claim the law is unconstitutional.
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=34602
Solyndra battle intensifies as Congress demands internal White House memos
Republicans in Congress have voted to subpoena official records related to Solyndra, the bankrupt solar power company. Diana DeGette says the subpoenas are an act of “irresponsible partisanship” after the White House has continued to hand over documents related to Solyndra. If successful, Republicans could gain access to President Obama’s BlackBerry, which Democrats say sets a “dangerous precedent.”
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2011/nov/03/congress-demands-solyndra-memos?newsfeed=true
Related: Solyndra: House panel subpoenas internal White House documents
Study: Rick Perry tax plan would cut revenues by $1 trillion, benefit wealthy
Rick Perry’s proposed flat tax would “drain a titanic sum from the federal treasury” while benefiting the wealthiest of Americans. Perry argues these cuts would spur economic growth that would balance out the $1 trillion dollar loss of revenue.
Spin Meter: GOP flips on job creation for defense
After insisting federal spending doesn’t help create jobs, Republicans are now fighting military cuts because a million defense jobs could be lost. This contradiction “undercuts” the Republican anti-spending mantra they’ve been running off.
http://www.denverpost.com/politics/ci_19263060
Senate Republicans block another piece of Obama’s jobs plan
Despite large American support for the American Jobs Act, Senate Republicans have blocked a portion of the legislation that would have spent $60 billion on improving infrastructure across America.
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-gop-jobs-20111104,0,6759460.story
Democrats try pro-choice attack on Romney
The Democratic National Committee is attacking Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney for his flip-flop from being pro-choice to pro-life, and for his support of the controversial Mississippi law that would define person hood as starting at conception. DNC chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz claims Romney is choosing the right side of his party over those who believe in pro-choice.
http://www.washingtontimes.com/blog/inside-politics/2011/nov/3/democrats-try-pro-choice-attack-romney/
Romney and “personhood” (oops)
Rep. Diana DeGette hosted a press call this morning with Colorado Democratic Party Chair Rick Palacio to discuss national personhood laws. This comes after the Democratic National Committee is attacking Mitt Romney for supporting the Mississippi ballot initiative.
http://www.coloradopols.com/diary/16699/romney-and-personhood-oops
Go big, says McConnell, in an about-face on the deficit
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell is changing his view of the deficit reducing supercommittee in hopes that a deal will hurt President Obama’s message about Congress being full of “do nothings.”
http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/191791-go-big-says-mcconnell-in-about-face-on-deficit
Bachmann, King ask US Senate to support banning the use of military facilities for same-sex marriage
86 members of the House of Representatives signed a letter asking the Senate to pass a revision to the National Defense Authorization Act that bars same-sex weddings take place in military facilities. After the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, military facilities have allowed ceremonies take place on an “orientation-neutral basis.”
http://washingtonindependent.com/115124/bachmann-king-ask-u-s-senate-to-support-banning-the-use-of-military-facilities-for-same-sex-marriage
Koch-back group confirms financial ties to Cain’s campaign manager
Presidential hopeful Herman Cain has issued an internal investigation after reports surfaced that said unspecified transactions were made between two non-profit groups and Cain’s campaign. Non-profits are not allowed to pay for campaign expenses by law.
http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/04/8634375-koch-backed-group-confirms-financial-ties-to-cain-campaign-manager
Rick Perry calls NH speech “pretty typical” amid accusations he was under influence
During a speech in New Hampshire, Rick Perry acted more animated than usual, and in one instance giggled when given a bottle of maple syrup as a gift. Video of the speech has gone viral and people now question whether or not Perry was intoxicated or drugged when giving the speech. Perry denies the accusations.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/nh-republican-leaders-defend-perry-speech-no-reason-to-suspect-he-was-under-the-influence/2011/11/03/gIQATf9wiM_story.html
Related: Rick Perry gets slurry in New Hampshire, Oct.28th, 2011 (excerpts)
Romney vows to slaughter ‘sacred cows’
Mitt Romney is going to speak at Americans for Prosperity’s Defending the American Dream Summit in Washington today. He says if elected president, he will “eliminate every program that isn’t absolutely essential,” including cutting $500 billion from the federal budget by 2016. Amtrak, family planning programs, arts programs and public broadcasting companies are all slated for elimination if Romney wins election. He also says he will repeal the national healthcare law enacted by President Obama.
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/11/mitt-romney-spending-cuts-americans-for-prosperity-/1