Abbreviated Pundit Round-up: Filibusters, gun polls and first responders

Latest Q poll of CT voters only

Jonathan Bernstein:

[Sen. Dick] Durbin's reaction today suggests that Republicans really are going to have to be careful going forward. That frustration level just might overwhelm the long-term interests of Democratic Senators. And remember, there's nothing special about Opening Day; a majority of Senators who really want to act can change Senate rules whenever they want to.

But will they want to? Republicans will clearly puh Democrats beyond reasonableness and why wouldn't they if Dems don't ever act?

Greg Sargent:

Senators who are negotiating over a proposal to expand the universal background check system have decided for the time being to stop trying to reach a deal with GOP Senator Tom Coburn, in the belief that his opposition to a key provision has become insurmountable, according to a source familiar with ongoing talks.

Instead, Senator Chuck Schumer ' who had been a leader of talks on the issue ' will introduce a much stronger version of the proposal that contains none of the concessions Senators had made to win Coburn over, the source says. And Schumer will step up outreach to other Republican Senators ' among them John McCain and Susan Collins ' to win support for the bill.

The maneuvering is a reminder of the difficulties Democrats face in getting Republican support for universal background checks. But it also underscores that Dems firmly believe that this proposal can, ultimately, win enough Republican Senators to break any GOP filibuster. Because of that belief, Dems will not compromise away the heart of the background check proposal ' the need to keep records on private sales for enforcement purposes, which Coburn had objected to.

Sandy Hook fund for workers:

Legislative leaders Wednesday will announce creation of a special fund to aid workers and first-responders to the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre. The fund will assist individuals who suffered psychological trauma as a result of the Dec. 14 school attack, but who are not currently eligible for workers' compensation.

The legislature is expected to take up a bill Wednesday establishing the fund, which will be financed through private donations. The fund will be announced at a 10:30 a.m. press conference at the state capitol building.

Current law does not allow teachers, firefighters or police officers who witnessed ' and in some instances had to investigate or clean ' the horrific scene at Sandy Hook Elementary School to receive workers' compensation benefits as a result of emotional damages.

An additional measure before the legislature would revise current law to extend benefits in the future to those who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder as a result of witnessing intentional 'death or maiming' or the immediate aftermath thereof while performing employment duties.

Hooray for humane treatment of workers.

We're one day closer to the March 9 Team 26 ride from Newtown to DC. And even more politics below the fold...