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Rothenberg: NV gov leans GOP, as does CD3, but Horsford's seat not in play
The Nevada governorship leans to Brian Sandoval next year, and Rep. Joe Heck is a favorite to retain his seat while Rep. Steven Horsford's district is not in play. That's according to The Rothenberg Political Report, an authoritative newsletter edited by renowned pundit Stu Rothenberg, with superb assistance from Nathan Gonzales and Jessica Taylor (now leaving for NBC News).
"House of Cards" is irresistible entertainment
Yes, I know I am late to the "House of Cards" party. But I insist on celebrating the series, no matter how tardy I may be, because it is the kind of heroin TV, without the side effects, that justifies my Netflix subscription and makes me eager with anticipation for the next chapters.
GOP legislative leaders attend confab in Utah
State Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson and Assembly Minority Leader Pat Hickey were in Utah this weekend attending a regional meeting of the Republican Legislative Campaign Committee. The meeting (flier attached here) at the St. Regis in Deer Valley ends today (Hickey is still there; Roberson left already).
Site poll: Roberson landslide
I hope there was no ballot-stuffing: Which leader has done the best job in the session's first half?
Two votes to note: Conservative state Senate Republicans vote for Internet tax collections, path to citizenship
Amid headlines about NV Energy's bombshell, sports betting kiosks and, of course, pot, largely unnoticed were two interesting Senate Joint Resolutions passed this week with the votes of the most conservative members of the GOP caucus.
Culinary backs veteran police union lobbyist for Brooks' seat
With racial politics thick in the air, the Culinary union has endorsed a longtime police union lobbyist to replace expelled Assemblyman Steven Brooks in the Legislature.
National transportation group: 86 percent of Reno/Carson roads, 56 percent of Vegas roads in disrepair
EMBARGOED Nevada TRIP By The Numbers Release Las Vegas 4-3-13.docx, EMBARGOED Nevada TRIP By The Numbers Release Reno-CC 4-2-13.docx, CONFIDENTIAL Nevada TRIP by The Numbers FINAL 4-2-13.docx No kidding! Those are the findings of TRIP, which will be releasing the data this morning in Carson City. I have advanced copies of the releases and the report, attached here.
AG to tax department: You can't pierce collective bargaining agreements if you take over NLV finances
That's the gist of an opinion I have obtained that the attorney general signed last week. It tells the state taxation department it does not have the authority to open collective bargaining agreements, and it also says if the tax department is forced to raise city property taxes in an emergency, the usual abatements do not apply. Welcome to North Las Vegas, Mayor John Lee. The opinion is attached here.
Separation of powers or separation of politics?
Not since 2003, when a governor sued the Legislature, has there been such a sizzling separation of powers debate percolating in Carson City, one that could determine myriad political and policy fates.
Roberson gets new LCB opinion: You can do what you want, executive branch can't interfere
That's the gist of a new legislative legal opinion that mining taxman Michael Roberson obtained shortly after news broke of executive branch analysis that could block an alternative to the margins tax from the ballot. It's all about the power of the Legislature to do what it wants. There is a real separation of powers battle brewing this session, unlike any we have seen before. The opinion is attached.