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Dems file complaint against ex-GOP Assemblywoman Gansert, say she illegally disposed of campaign funds
UPDATE: Lest you think the timing was an accident, the Democrats filed this on the eve of a hearing on Hickey and Brower's bill that was inspired by ex-Democratic Speaker Barbara Buckley. Tit for tat? Ya think?
Nevada lawmakers to Ryan, Sessions: Take your opposition and...
This is where lobbyists matter: XPressWest, under attack from Paul Ryan and Jeff Sessions, now has a letter of support (attached here), from Nevada legislative leaders, including two Republicans. The missive reads like a news release from XPressWest's consultants, R&R Partners, which has a strong capital presence and has been aggressively pushing back since the GOP attack on the train.
The Tuesday committees to watch: Mining taxes and evaluating Brooks
On Tuesday in Nevada's capital, two committees will meet, and the results are freighted with historic significance. At 1 PM, the Senate Revenue and Economic Development Committee will consider SJR 15, which would take mining taxation out of the Constitutio0n, assuming voters, as is likley, approve it next year. At 6 PM, at the Carson City Courthouse, Assemblyman Steven Brooks will face a tribunal of his peers -- one that could put him on the path to expulsion -- inartfully and unimaginatively named the Select Committee on the Assembly.
State of play on taxes at the one-third mark: No trust, no plans, nowhere
Here’s what we know: The margins tax is dead, but will live on the 2014 ballot. Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson has a plan, but it’s not drafted yet. The Democrats want more revenue, but their path to get there is unclear. Here’s what we don’t know: Most lawmakers don’t trust Roberson.
House budget resolution would eviscerate lands act that has brought billions to Nevada
UPDATED WITH DELEGATION COMMENTS BELOW The House budget plan up for a vote this week would effectively repeal a critical piece of legislation passed 15 years ago that has brought billions to Nevada conservation and infrastructure projects.
ICYMI: A plague of weasels in Clark County, led by Boss Weasel Ross
A glimpse into why mining is so afraid of a tax getting before voters
One of the reasons mining's Carson City clout is so formidable is because the industry knows it must extinguish taxing efforts in that compliant universe lest the effort get before less-friendly voters. This is not some hypothetical; there is plenty of empirical evidence. Here's some:
Legislative lawyers: Not voting on initiative is the same as rejecting it
When the Legislature missed the 40-day deadline to act on the margins tax, they rejected it by inaction, according to the Legislative Counsel Bureau. Even though the Constitution uses the word "reject," and some lawyers believe a vote must be taken, the LCB disagrees, as state Sen. Michael Roberson has been saying. The opinion, attached here, essentially says: There is more than one way to reject an initiative.
County to constable: You owe us nearly 40 grand, so pay up or we'll sic the DA on you
Clark County officials have demanded that Constable John Bonaventura outline why he hired lawyers for more than $30,000 or be held personally liable for the expense. The letter, which I have obtained and attached here, essentially says Bonaventura may have broken the law, needs to pay up or the district attorney will be involved. I don't think the county has much respect for him. Just guessing.