BLOG
Democrats have plan to improve education, but no way to pay for it
For any good fantasy to work, you have to suspend your disbelief for a time. So when I heard – again – Monday that legislative Democrats are discussing (they do know how to discuss!) a revenue plan for education, I wanted to believe. Truly. I do.
Poll: Margins tax has huge support, as does gay marriage and education reform
Despite opposition among business groups and in the Legislature, the public widely supports the margins tax, according to a new poll by the Retailers Association of Nevada. The survey, by well-known national pollster Glen Bolger, was conducted February 16-18, 2013, among 500 likely voters, with 125 cell phone interviews, and has a margin of error of +4.38%. Among the findings, which crossed a wide spectrum of issues (and you can see details in the attachment here):
Adelson: Hagel nomination is "shameful"
Sheldon Adelson, the Republican Party’s main money man, said today the nomination (and likely confiirmation) of former Nebraska Sen. Chuck Hagel to be defense secretary is “shameful” because of his "associations" and because he is “anti-Semitic.” When I asked Las Vegas Sands Chairman Adelson, whom I had an impromptu chat with at his office this afternoon before lunching with a friend of his, how upset he was that the Hagel nomination is moving forward, he replied with one word: “Very.”
Harry unplugged: On a Sandoval challenge, NV Energy, federal web poker failure and more
After his speech to the Legislature this week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid met briefly with reporters and made some interesting comments. Some of them have been reported, but the full extent of his remarks are below in a transcript I have obtained and lightly edited. My favorites: ----Classic Reid in exchange over the possibility Gov. Brian Sandoval may run against him:
Ralston Retorts segment: The rush to pass web poker legislation
Here's the video version of this.
Was the rush really needed on web poker?
Now that lawmakers have passed a web poker bill faster than pocket Aces can get cracked, they can move just as quickly to tax fast food and ban smokers from working in hospitals. Surely, I jest. But when lawmakers work as quickly as they did Thursday – both houses passed the measure within an hour – and the governor immediately signs the bill, should anyone stop to ponder: What’s the big rush?
Text of Harry Reid's speech to the Nevada Legislature
As prepared for delivery: It is a pleasure to return to Carson City and an honor to speak with you. It has been my good fortune to address the Nevada Legislature during 15 joint sessions. Each occasion has been an opportunity to reflect on the unique nature and responsibilities of our state and our state legislature.
Reid to call for same-day registration in speech to Legislature, will oppose photo ID measures
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid will tell Nevada legislators in about 90 minutes to pass same-day registration, and he will also oppose photo ID laws, a clear shot at Secretary of State Ross Miller's proposal before lawmakers for a so-called visual verification bill, a source familiar with his speech said.
Adam Laxalt's aunt: The family guessed who the father was, but Domenici "was not on the list"
When Neena Laxalt saw the NPR article forwarded this morning by a cousin, she was stunned. And so, she says, was the rest of the family to learn that her nephew, Adam Laxalt, was the son of Pete Domenici, the ex-New Mexico senator. “My mom went to her grave (in 2004) not knowing,” Laxalt, a lobbyist in Carson City, told me in the Legislative Building. “I was shocked.”
Longtime airport chief Randy Walker to retire
UPDATE: Five days after I posted this, the county has made it public. I have attached Walker's letter here. UPDATE NO. 2: County Manager Don Burnette today informed commissioners he will appoint Rosemary Vassiliadis, Walker's longtime assistant, to replace him. here's his email to commissioners, who must ratify the choice: