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State budget deficit at $161 million by end of next June, will grow larger
UPDATED, 1 PM: Gov. Brian Sandoval sent out a statement after his team presented the grim picture to lawmakers. It used some of the same verbiage he has previously brandished about revenue not keeping pace with growth and having to look to new sources. This ain't subtle, nor is it rocket science, folks: Ask for savings (remember Kenny Guinn's "fundamental review" of state government, then lament that it's not enough, propose taxes. This time, like last time (2003), the need is real; it's just the choreography that needs to be better. The statement:
MY COLUMN: How Session '15 will be just like Session '03, and how it could be different
A popular Republican governor de facto unopposed for re-election and planning a tax increase. A willing state Senate majority leader who wants to bolster education funding. An unpredictable Assembly with some strong-willed no-tax absolutists.
Fiore crashes Adelson's office, then tells caucus she speaks for him, which he denies
On Monday, the day before the Assembly Republican Caucus was scheduled to vote on new leaders, Michele Fiore arrived unannounced at the Las Vegas Strip office of Sheldon Adelson.
Goodman secures second term
If your name isn't on this bipartisan list -- how many fundraisers have Shelley Berkley and Joe Heck on them? -- I'd suggest you are in trouble with The Family. And amid the Establishment stalwarts and lobbyists, there are some gadflies on there, too -- Steve Sanson and Wayne Allyn Root are well-known political fringe types -- so this is quite the ecletic list. (UPDATED: Hadn't noticed at first that this event for the mayor of Las Vegas is not in....Las Vegas. It's in the unincorporated county. No good places downtown, mayor?)
How the Assembly Republicans "elected" a speaker
Assembly Republicans named a speaker Tuesday evening, but there was no election. Here’s what happened, according to several sources:
Hambrick seeking speakership
In an effort to head off Paul Anderson for speaker, forces inside and outside the Assembly Republican Caucus have recruited John Hambrick to seek the job tonight. Hambrick confirmed he will seek the job, which was vacated by Ira Hansen after his slew of racist, misogynistic and homophobic columns surfaced. Wes Duncan then seemed to have the votes before opting out for a job with Attorney General-elect Adam Laxalt.
MY COLUMN: What Nevada pols (and others) gave thanks for on Thursday
So what did prominent elected officials and others give thanks for on Thursday? I happen to know: Gov. Brian Sandoval: For the Nevada Democrats. For a Goodman being hard to find. For the red wave (but did it have to be SO big?). Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: For Brian Sandoval and Joe Heck loving where they are. For the Assembly Republican Caucus. For making it to 75 on Tuesday – a k a for his eighth life (or is it his ninth?).
Hansen: I'm still the boss!
In a series of emails sent last night to his caucus, Non-Speaker-Designate Ira Hansen instructed his colleagues that he is still in charge, that committee assignments will remain in effect and that his replacement as speaker will have to hire the chief of staff he hired and the policy person he wanted. Oh, this is going to be some session, folks.