By TCS Publisher and Editor in Chief Jared Wright _@JaredWright_

Friday, February 19, 2016

DENVER – Good morning from all of us here at The Colorado Statesman, and a very Happy Friday to you and yours. Here’s to a smooth glide into the weekend.

“The day cold and fair with a high easterly wind: we were visited by two Indians who gave us an account of the country and people near the Rocky mountains where they had been.” — Meriwether Lewis

Now your substrata feed straight from the politics pipeline:

Colorado Senate Democrats and House Republicans, how about this for an idea? … from your Oregon brothers and sisters — “It’s the procedural stuff that keeps us from beating each other up, literally.”  — Oregon Senate Minority LeaderTed Ferrioli. This in a report from the Oregon’s Statesman Journal on some of the procedural shenanigans that have been playing out in the Oregon State Legislaturethe past couple of weeks. Republican lawmakers in the minority have been trying to run out the clock on the short, 35-day annual session by requiring all bills to be read aloud, a constitutional requirement in the state that is usually waived by two thirds of the lawmakers. Republicans are blaming the Democrats for trying to ram through a high octane agenda in the short, just over month-long session, including bills on the minimum wage, affordable housing, climate change and firearms. Issues sound familiar?

The Democrat majority is now threatening to use their secret weapon, “The Chipmunk Voice,” a high-speed computer to read all bills at length.

Minimum wage? Republicans didn’t stop it from happening. After more than five hours of debate yesterday in the Oregon House and more than 6 hours of debate in the Senate last week, SB 1532 was passed by both chambers on mostly party line votes, raising the minimum wage gradually through the year 2022 in tiers based on geography. The bill now goes to Gov. Kate Brown for a signature.

Seriously folks, the past couple weeks have produced some major legislative drama in the Beaver State. Like 2013 in Colorado (except they’re blessed with 1/4 the length of time for the theatrics.) Back in Colorado, Rep. Cole Wist receives his initiation — Freshly appointed Rep. Cole Wist, who defeated former GOP state party chair Ryan Call to fill the vacant seat formerly held by now Sen. Jack Tate had his official initiation — read hazing — by the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee yesterday.

Wist’s brought his bill, HB 1189, on Bingo-raffle licensing, before the distinguished committee. What he experienced, so many of us who have gone before can attest, was not a regular hearing. After wrapping up his bill presentation and testimony, Rep. Jeni Arndt swiftly “changed” her prior support position on the legislation to oppose and moved to postpone the bill indefinitely, a move seconded by Rep. Dan Pabon. The committee then killed the bill 7-5, with Arndt giving the bill a last-second Lazarus moment, reviving it. The bill then passed unanimously, 12-0 (Kraft-Tharp excused for the festivities.)  Wist did not shed a tear through the incident. He took it with class and a stiff upper lip. His response: “I love this committee.” Now that’s the ultimate frat house spirit, isn’t it?

Perhaps we won’t have to re-live a perfect rendition of the 90s after all? —Several reports from the politisphere yesterday that Jeb Bush’s campaign is burning up on re-entry into South Carolina. Many sources close to Jeb — supporters and friends — are now saying they believe Saturday’s Republican primary in South Carolina could very well be his last day on the campaign trail. As Bush has said, “I should stop campaigning maybe.”

Bob Dole picks Marco Rubio as his second choice/backup plan to Jeb!, just FYI.

Meanwhile, Hillary Clinton  got booed at a town hall meeting for criticizing Bernie Sanders. Her supporters are also reportedly evaporating in Nevada, causing panic among her ranks. Doubts are growing that she may not win the nomination. But still, many pundits with a great deal of experience say she will rise like a Phoenix out of the Southern states when she racks up some delegates down there.

A recent tweet from the Clinton campaign peeps running the Twitter machine back to Sanders’ Twitter peeps during last night’s town hall — “You voted for it,” Lots of recorded votes between these two — makes for fun research projects for campaign staff …

Maybe this is why the 90’s will never return? Floyd Ciruli tells us what many of us may already sense — Both political parties establishment’s are substantially out of whack with their adherents. Read his blog here (if his website is back up again.)

Pope casts a stone — Trump’s lead narrows in South Carolina — Following a mid-flight blowout spat between Pope Francis and Donald Trump, his numbers have fallen in South Carolina to a narrowing 5 point lead with Ted Cruz according to a Wall Street Journal/NBC News/Marist poll. The poll found that now just 28 percent of likely GOP voters will support Trump while 23 percent will support Cruz. Pope Francis said in a news conference whilst 30,000 feet above the surface of the Earth from the papal airliner that Donald Trump is not a Christian because of his calls to build a wall on the southern U.S. border.

Trump responded with a longer-than-usual statement for the Donald, having to post it on his Facebook page as opposed to 140 characters on his heavily-used Twitter account. Full statement below:

If and when the Vatican is attacked by ISIS, which as everyone knows is ISIS’s ultimate trophy, I can promise you that the Pope would have only wished and prayed that Donald Trump would have been President because this would not have happened. ISIS would have been eradicated unlike what is happening now with our all talk, no action politicians.

The Mexican government and its leadership has made many disparaging remarks about me to the Pope, because they want to continue to rip off the United States, both on trade and at the border, and they understand I am totally wise to them. The Pope only heard one side of the story – he didn’t see the crime, the drug trafficking and the negative economic impact the current policies have on the United States. He doesn’t see how Mexican leadership is outsmarting President Obama and our leadership in every aspect of negotiation.

For a religious leader to question a person’s faith is disgraceful. I am proud to be a Christian and as President I will not allow Christianity to be consistently attacked and weakened, unlike what is happening now, with our current President. No leader, especially a religious leader, should have the right to question another man’s religion or faith. They are using the Pope as a pawn and they should be ashamed of themselves for doing so, especially when so many lives are involved and when illegal immigration is so rampant.

— Donald J. Trump

A papal spokesperson has since clarified that the remarks from the Pope were not in any way a personal attack against Tump.

Is this exchange and the narrowing polls in South Carolina cause and effect? Trump admits it’s possible. “You never know,” Trump told George Stephanopoulos.

Dr. Chaps invokes CHiPs — Wednesday state Rep. Gordon Klingenschmitt (Dr. Chaps) brought a giant photo of former CHiPs television show actor Erik Estrada as a sort of show and tell demonstration in support of his motorcycle lane-splitting bill, HB 1205. Showmanship.

See the photo and read the full story by The Colorado Statesman’s Ramsey Scott here.

Let the games begin, Keyser slams Blaha over Scalia and vice versa — ICYMI, yesterday in a report from The Statesman’s Ernest Luning, former state Rep. turned GOP U.S. Senate candidate Jon Keyser questioned Robert Blaha’s conservatism due to not responding to Scalia’s death fast enough or clearly enough over whether the next president should be the one to replace the justice on the Supreme Court.

Colorado AG Cynthia Coffman receives “Partner Award” from Federal Trade Commission —  “Protecting Coloradans from deceptive advertisers and illegal collection practices continues to be a high priority for me and the Department’s Consumer Protection Section. I am honored that the Colorado Department of Law is being singled out for our important work to educate and protect all Colorado consumers,” said Attorney General Coffman during her acceptance. “I thank the FTC for this recognition and for continuing to be a good partner.”

Coffman has been active in running the Stop Fraud Colorado campaign. IKEA sign comes apart blocks I-25 last night, something similar happened in my living room with a piece of their furniture once — I-25 was closed in both directions for about 2 1/2 hours.

Wellington Webb endorses Michael Carrigan — Former Denver Mayor Wellington Webb chose Michael Carrigan as his choice for Denver DA yesterday, as did Rep. Angela Williams.

“When it comes to criminal justice, Denver is at a critical juncture and needs a leader with the right experience and vision to bring about lasting change. Both Wilma and I believe Michael Carrigan is that leader and we are proud to support him for Denver District Attorney,” Webb said in a statement. Justice Scalia’s casket arrived in the great hall of the Supreme Court this morning — See video here via C-Span

“We’d all like to vote for the best man, but he’s never a candidate.” — Kin Hubbard

Diversions:

Check out these 18 beautiful photos from Colorado in the 1950s.

Birthdays:Former Scott Gessler for governor campaign staffer Rory McShane celebrates his birthday today. Happy Birthday, Rory!Events:

South Carolina Primaries — Democrats: Saturday, Feb. 20; Republicans, Tuesday, Feb. 23.

Nevada Caucuses — Saturday, February 20

Washington Republican Caucuses — Saturday, February 20

Rep. KC Becker Town Hall Meeting — Saturday, Feb. 20, 10:00 am, Boulder City Council Chambers, with Speaker Dickie Lee Hullinghorst and Sen. Rollie Heath

Annual Conservation Community Legislative Reception — University Club, Feb. 23, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, University Club, 1673 Sherman St.

Secretary Ken Salazar for Jeff Bridges Endorsement Event — Home of Rutt and Annie Bridges, 9694 E Progress Place, Greenwood Village, Wed. Feb. 24, 5:30 – 7:30 pm

State Treasurer Walker Stapleton to speak at Opportunity Coalition — Thursday, Feb. 25, 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, The Innovation Pavilion, 9200 E Mineral Ave, Centennial. Click here to RSVP

Super Tuesday, including Colorado caucuses — March 1

Denver County GOP Friday Breakfast with Senate Candidates — Ryan Frazier, Darryl Glen and Tim Neville are all confirmed to speak at the breakfast — March 4, 7:00 am, Pete’s Greektown Cafe, 2910 E Colfax Ave

Agriculture Day at the Capitol — Set for Tuesdays, March 16 — get ready for awesome food and great folks to descend upon the Capitol.

Want your event listed? Just let me know.

From the wires:

The Denver Post’s Jesse Paul reports on the subpoenaeing of U.S. Interior Secretary Sally Jewell by the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee on the Gold King Mine disaster. 

Colorado Public Radio reports that Gov. John Hickenlooper has officially endorsed Hillary Clinton for POTUS.

KDVR reports on 500 bridges in Colorado being classified as structurally deficient

The Denver Post’s Elizabeth Hernandez reports on Chelsea Clintons campaign stops for her mother in Denver and Boulder yesterday.

The Pueblo Chieftain reports on Sen. Cory Gardner’s regional director scheduling of mobile office hours

The Pueblo Chieftain also reports that Sen. Michael Bennet was in Pueblo West yesterday at Kinder Kirk Day Care

The Pueblo Chieftain also reports on farmer Bob Mattive seeking the House District 62 seat. He will face Republican Marcy Freeburg for the Republican nomination. This is the seat being vacated by term-limited Rep. Ed Vigil

The Denver Post’s Jon Murray reports on Denver residents pushing the city to fix the sidewalks

Roll Call’s Stuart Rothenberg of the Rothenberg Report surmises on who will win in South Carolina Saturday by looking at the voters

The Grand Junction Daily Sentinel’s Charles Ashby reports on HB 1080, sponsored by Reps. Mike Foote and Lois Landgraf that would create a specific criminal charge of strangulation in Colorado statute.

The Denver Channel reports that a bill sponsored by Rep. Rhonda Fields to extend the statute of limitations on rape has moved forward, with just a third reading vote to send it on to the Senate. This is HB 

Colorado Capitol Watch —From our bill tracking partners:

House Bill Wrap-Up: TodaySenate Bill Wrap-Up: Today2/18: 11 NEW Bills405 All Bills: As of 2/1182 Bipartisan Bills: As of 2/140 PI’ed Bills: As of 2/18Audio Update: TodayLink to Audio will show up after login2/19: Bills on calendar in orde2/19: Bills on calendar sortableAll: Upcoming Bills From Today 

House and Senate Calendars:

HOUSE – Your Feb. 19 Calendar here 

SENATE – Your Feb. 19 Calendar here 

You’re up to date. Have a great Friday and weekend! Until Monday …

Tell us what you know! — To submit a tip, event, happening, gossuping, chattering or other interesting tidbit to The Hot Sheet, click here to submit via our contact form … yes, even anonymously if you’re feeling all cloak and dagger.

JW