February 18, 2015 01:01 PM UTC

Get More Smarter on Wednesday (Feb. 18)

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• by: Colorado Pols

Um, sorry to interrupt, but you have something on your forehead. 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…

► Republicans in the State Senate gave initial approval to Sen. Vicki "Lost" Marble's bill (SB15-032) to eliminate the permitting process for anyone who wants to carry a concealed weapon. Said Sen. Lucia Guzman (D-Denver), "The permitting process allows us to know that Coloradans carrying loaded firearms have shot a gun before, are trained, aren’t domestic violence offenders, don’t have a criminal record, or aren’t drunk drivers." Colorado is currently one of 46 states that require a permit for concealed carry.  

► Former Sen. Mark Udall will see work on one of his pet issues finally come to fruition this week. President Obama plans to designate Brown's Canyon as a National Monument.

Get even more smarter after the jump…

SHOULD YOU FIND YOURSELF STANDING NEAR A WATER COOLER…

► It may cost more money to get Colorado-grown food items in Colorado school cafeterias, but supporters of new legislation at the State Capitol believe it would be a wise investment.

► Republicans and Democrats found some agreement in the State Senate yesterday in killing a bill that proposed limiting government seizure of private land for open space use.

► A federal judge in Texas has temporarily blocked President Obama's plan to ease up on the deportation of millions of immigrants. Denver Mayor Michael Hancock joined immigration advocates yesterday in predicting a quick reversal of the recent ruling.

► Mad Mike Coffman is now trying to raise money based on his confrontation last week with VA Secretary Bob McDonald. Classy!

► Legislators in Oklahoma voted to eliminate AP U.S. History from high schools because conservatives think the College Board material is too negative and unpatriotic. If you recall, messing with high school history curriculums didn't go over well in Jefferson County last year.

► Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, now a Republican candidate for President in 2016, feels good about the name ID generated from his famous last name…but would rather you forget about George H.W. and George W. Good luck with that.

► Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul will formally announce his intention to run for President on April 7.

OTHER LINKS YOU SHOULD CLICK

► One of the nation's most prominent critics of Obamacare just can't seem to come up with any, you know, facts to support his claims.

► Aurora Sentinel Editor Dave Perry is not pleased that Colorado Republicans are using the budget process to make it near-impossible for illegal immigrants to apply for driver's licenses in Colorado.

► Former State Rep. Amy Stephens has entered the revolving door that turns former legislators into lobbyists. Stephens will oversee lobbying for McKenna, Long & Aldridge LLP.

ICYMI

► The Durango Herald investigates the curious case of campaign finance scofflaw Tyler Harber and his connection to the Colorado Republican Party.

► Republican Congressman Ken Buck thinks Colorado Attorney General Cynthia Coffman should add Colorado to a lawsuit challenging President Obama's immigration reform plan.