Nevada News Digest & Breaking News Archive

December 2004-June 2005

July-September 2005; October-December 2005; January-March 2006; Apr-May 2006; June 2006; July 2006; August 2006; September 2006; October 2006; November 2006; December 2006; January 2007; February 2007; March 2007; April 2007; May 2007; June 2007; July 2007; August 2007; September 2007; October 2007; November 2007; December 2007

June 15, 2005

Breaking News

June 15, 2005

_____

From The US Congress

Senate Appropriations Committee Report Recommends $64 Million Less Than President Requested For Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Disposal Project; No Money For Interim Nuclear Storage

Press Release

Rep. Porter's Subcommittee To Subpoena USGS Employee Named In Fraudulent Document Scandal

House Panel to Subpoena Yucca Mtn. Worker (Article from The Guardian [UK])

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

"I gave him an envelope with $10,000 cash," Galardi said. "I told him to hand it out to the councilmen."

Strip club owner told lobbyist to give cash to three S.D. councilmen

____________

From The Office Of The Governor

Gov. Guinn Vetoes Legislative Bill Prohibiting "Customer Steering" Payoffs To Taxicab Drivers By Strip Clubs, Others

"Taxicab drivers contribute greatly to the economy of this state. I cannot support Section 133 of AB 505 because it singles out and hurts the financial well-being of taxicab drivers."

Press Release

_____

Governor Appoints Michael Wixom To University System Board Of Regents

Press Release

__________

From The US Securities & Exchange Commission

Details Of The Harrah's-Caesar's Merger Released

SEC Documents On Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.

SEC Documents On Caesar's Entertainment, Inc.

__________

From The US Department Of Agriculture

Secretary Of Agriculture Addresses Western Governors' Conference

Transcript of Address

_____

DOA Announces $16.3 Million In Business Development Fund For Rural America Grants

Press Release

____________________

June 16, 2005

_____

Latest On Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Officials, Corporate Interests Meet To Plan Caliente & Yucca Mountain High Volume Radioactive Waste Railroad Line

Yucca officials meet in Pahrump for railroad talk (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

From The US Congress

Sen. Reid Announces $45 Million In Department Of Energy Funds Allocated For Renewable Energy Projects In Nevada

Press Release

The Benefited Projects:

• National Center on Energy Management and Building Technologies $5,000,000

• Solar production of hydrogen (UNLV) $4,000,000

• Hydrogen fuel cell R & D (UNLV) $4,000,000

• Geothermal and Renewable Energy Laboratory of Nevada (UNR) $1,300,000

• Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Energy Project $500,000

• Southwest photovoltaic experiment stations $1,000,000

• NREL-West (Nevada renewable competition funding) $4,000,000

• Biofuels development (UNLV) $4,000,000

• Hydrogen fuel cell bus project (Washoe RTC) $3,000,000

• Southern Nevada Alternative Fuels Demonstration Project (Las Vegas) $500,000

• Renewable hydrogen refueling station system (UNLV) $4,000,000

• Photoelectric chemical production of hydrogen (UNLV) $3,000,000

• Photoelectrochemical production of hydrogen (UNR) $5,000,000

• Photonics research for hybrid solar lighting (UNLV) $3,000,000

• PowerJet Wind Turbine project (PowerJet) $250,000

• Gerlach Green Energy Project $500,000

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

Defense questions strip club owner in City corruption trial

Defense tries to discredit Galardi: Questioning targets club owner's wealth

Strip club owner says cash given directly to councilmen

__________

From Clark County

Don't Hold Your Breath

In Wake Of Gov. Guinn's AB 505 Veto, County Postpones Enforcement Of Ordinances Prohibiting Strip Club Payoffs To Taxicab Drivers

Commission To Wait Until Taxicab Authority Coordinates Comprehensive Policy For Local Governments

Press Release

_____

County Officials To Re-Prioritize Spending On Homeless -- Regional Plan Expected In Autumn

Press Release

__________

From Nye County

County Commissioners, Town Board Declare State Of Emergency In Pahrump Valley Due To Fire Danger

State of Emergency (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Town Board Also Declares Emergency (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

From Washoe County

Incline Village Water Quality Improvement Gets American Public Works Association "Project Of The Year" Award

Press Release

_____

Commission Approves $607,000 In Homeless Relief Spending

 Press Release

__________

From Las Vegas

Las Vegas Sun Eclipsed In 35 Year Operating Agreement With Las Vegas Review-Journal

Las Vegas Sun to rise with morning R-J: Sinking circulation for afternoon paper drives publications to change operating agreement (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

From The Attorney General's Office

Nevada’s State Extradition Coordinator Receives Award From National Association of Extradition Officials

Press Release

___________________

June 17, 2005

_____

From California

San Francisco Board Of Supervisors Pass Resolution Opposing Proposed Gerlach Coal-Burning Power Plant

 California PUC Ruling, Gov. Schwarzenegger's Call For Reduction In Carbon Dioxide Pollution Levels Leaves Future Of Project In Doubt

Plan for more coal energy in Nevada runs into Calif. opposition (San Francisco Chronicle article)

"Thousands of San Franciscans understand the beauty of Black Rock desert, and it's our responsibility to voice our opposition to the plant."

SF supervisors oppose Nevada coal plant (San Francisco Chronicle article)

__________

From The Black Rock Desert

Wake Up And Smell The Alkali -- Burning Man To Turn 20; Volunteers Already At Work Preparing The Playascape

BURNING MAN AT 20:  WORKING FOR THE MAN -- 'Desert rats' transform desolate playa into festival city -- then back from wild land to badlands without a trace (San Francisco Chronicle article)

__________

From The National Highway Traffic Safety Association

Speed Kills

Nevada No. 10 In Speed-Related Highway Fatalities, According To New Study

Analysis of Speeding-Related Fatal Motor Vehicle Traffic Crashes (See pages 29-33)

National Highway Traffic Safety Association National Center For Statistics And Analysis

__________

From The US Congress

Sen. Reid Announces Hearing to Defend Nevada Military Installations -- Attempt To Save Hawthorne Army Depot And Reduce Cutbacks In Nevada Air National Guard

Press Release

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

"'I'm going to get these (councilmen) to do what I want and I'm going to get something done.'"

Strip club owner recalls sending cash to San Diego councilmen

__________

From Douglas County

Land Developers Who Sought To Triple Housing Density On Proposed Clear Creek Project Praise State Agencies For Their Assistance; Ask For More Time

Clear Creek developer seeks delay (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

__________

From Lyon County

Polluted, Abandoned Anaconda Copper Mine Worries Yerington Residents

Mine security among local residents’ top concerns (Mason Valley News article)

__________

From The Attorney General's Office

Attorney General Gives Recognition To Fathers Who Meet Their Parental Obligations And Duties

Press Release

_________________

June 18, 2005

_____

Nevada And The War In  Iraq

State Grieves Over Deaths Of Nevadans In Iraq Insurgency -- 3 Killed In Less Than A Week

• Nevada Army National Guard Specialist Anthony S. Cometa, 21, of Las Vegas

Statement of Sen. Ensign

Statement of Rep. Gibbons

Statement of Gov. Guinn

• Marine Cpl. Jesse Jaime, 22, of Las Vegas

Statement of Gov. Guinn

• Army Spec. Stanley Lapinski, 35, of Las Vegas

Statement of Gov. Guinn

_____

Sen. Ensign Attacks Fellow US Senator For Remarks About Treatment Of Detained Prisoners At Guantanamo Bay

Press Release

__________

From The US Congress

_____

Senate Appropriations Committee Recommends FY 2006 Water & Power Legislation With $338 Million To Be Spent In Nevada -- Up From $220 Million This Year

Press Release

Overview Of Appropriations For Nevada

• US Army Corps of Engineers Projects $67.2 Million

• US Bureau of Reclamation Projects $48.3 Million

• Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Projects $47.5 Million

• Office of Science Projects $8.5 Million

• Nuclear Energy Research & Development Projects $14.7 Million

• Nuclear Waste Disposal Projects $12.5 Million

• Weapons Activities and Improvements at Nevada Test Site $106.7 Million

• Defense Nuclear Non-Proliferation Projects $2.5 Million

• Other Defense Activity Projects $5 Million

• Environmental Management Projects $21 Million

_____

Reps. Gibbons, Berkley, And Porter Call On Military Base Closings Commission to Visit Hawthorne: Visit To Show Reasons To Keep Depot Open

Press Release

_____

Lawmakers Draw Attention to Real World Costs Associated with Federal Lands -- Loss Of Local Tax Revenues A Big Problem

Press Release

_____

Rep. Gibbons Boosts Funding to Help Keep Nevadans Safe: Law Enforcement funding will support COPS Program; Fight methamphetamine abuse

Press Release

__________

From The Office Of The Governor

Silver State Leads The Nation In Job Growth - Gov. Guinn Hails Nevada's Employment and Unemployment Rates

Press Release

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

Galardi answers questions about memory lapses

Galardi questioned on memory lapses; club owner admits he didn't see money handed off

____________________

June 19, 2005

_____

The State Press Looks At The Late Legislature

Nevadans Still Assessing The Damage

Plans For White Pine's New Courthouse Fall Through In State Legislature -- Assembly Ways & Means Committee Wouldn't Even Schedule Hearing

Legislative effort to fund White Pine Courthouse fails (Ely Times article)

_____

Legislature Did Spend Money For New Ely Youth Jail, Though -- Other Legislative Hits, Misses For White Pine Communities Reviewed

Juvenile center funding passes (Ely Times article)

_____

Nye County Columnist Takes Plain View Of Problem

Surplus is a fancy word for gouging the taxpayers (Pahrump Valley Times article)

_____

Carson Columnist Reviews Lawmakers' Wildlife Bills (No, Not That Kind)

Here's the status of some selected wildlife bills from the 2005 Legislature (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

From Douglas County

Pitiful

Nevada's Oldest Settlement Won't Power Its Own Heritage: Enforcing Bureaucratic Deadline Paramount Priority For Benighted Genoa Town Board

 Town denies museum funding (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

_____

Successful Teaching Helps Students Shine

Douglas students outscore nation (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

_____

From Elko County

Wrecked Bridges Isolate Rural Community; Commissioners Argue About Whether To Work With US Forest Service To Rebuild Access

Bridging the Gap: Forest Service speeds up Jarbidge plan (Elko News article)

_____

From White Pine County

Steptoe Valley Flyer Steams Out Amidst Music, Art, Poetry And Song -- Ride On Ghost Train To Haunt Memories Of Tourists, Locals

Long Steel Rails Festival at NNRy (Ely Times article)

____________________

June 20, 2005

_____

From Clark County

"It's Not That We Don't Trust You"

Clark County, Cities Of Henderson, Las Vegas, And North Las Vegas Installing GPS Devices On Government Vehicles

High-Tech Tracking of Vehicles Grows (Las Vegas Business Press article)

__________

From South And Central Nevada

Six Counties Consider Forming Central Nevada Regional Water Authority -- SNWA's Massive Applications For Pumping Permits In Lincoln, Nye and White Pine Seen As "600-Lb. Gorilla In Living Room"

White Pine to join five rural counties in new water authority (Ely Times article)

__________

From Douglas County

Dragonflies And Flowers Abound In Natural Denitrification System

Manufactured wetlands use plants to remove nitrates (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

_____

Returns On Property Tax Verification Cards In Douglas County About 75%

Response to property tax verification cards good (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

__________

From Elko County

Access To Old Mining Camp May Be Restored By October

Jarbidge to get two-lane bridge (Elko Free Press article)

__________

From Nye County

Local Officials Don't Get A Cut Of Skin Revenue

Brothel ban repeal goes down in flames (Pahrump Valley Times article)

_____

Many Nye County Residents Still Haven't Gotten Property Tax Verification Cards

Assessor: Don't panic over cards (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

From White Pine County

McGill Power Plant Plans To Sell Electricity Primarily To Nevadans

California crackdown on coal-fired energy won't effect proposed White Pine power plant (Ely Times article)

__________

Looking Back On The Late Legislature

Sagging, Cracking State Building Ignored In Legislative Spending Spree

Kinkead Building worst building state ever built: Last-minute legislation canceled replacement (Nevada Appeal article)

_____

Heavy Growth Of Taxes And Spending

Nevada must learn to control its purse (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza column; Part 2)

Feeding at the taxpayer trough (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza column; Part 1)

_____

Refusal To Reform Systemic Abuse

"You know, my evaluation is that there was a lot of rhetoric and not a lot of substance," he said. "I think we have a good ethics law that's pretty clear. I think there were a lot of things proposed that were not necessary."

Ethics reform effort falls flat (Pahrump Valley Times column)

_____

Credit Where Credit Is Due

Legislature reveals Raggio remains in charge: After contentious 2003 session, senator recovers to guide GOP agenda (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

_____

Survey Of The Best And Worst Performances

GRADING THE LEGISLATORS: Buckley, Raggio top rankings; Angle, Tiffany voted worst members of Assembly, Senate (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

____________________

June 21, 2005

_____

From The State Legislature

Nevada's Brand New Laws

Bills Signed By The Governor

__________

From Clark County

County Holds Southern Nevada Gang Seminar For Public Awareness, Action

Southern Nevada Gangs Under Spotlight Monday, Tuesday at Symposium

__________

From Las Vegas

Interesting Concept

The Las Vegas Citizens' Leadership Academy -- Where Government Chooses The Citizens' Leadership

City Of Las Vegas Announces The 2005 Citizen’s Academy: A Behind The Scenes Look At Government Services

__________

From North Las Vegas

2005-2006 City Budget Now Available Online

City Government Adopted Budget

_____

Capital Improvement Plan For FY 2005-2010 Also Available

City Government Capital Improvement Plan FY 2005-2010

_____

City Government Advice To Citizens On Police Stops

"What to Do If Stopped by the Police: Your Informational Guide Rights and Responsibilities" Brochure

¿Qué Haogo Si Me Para La Policía?

__________

From The Truckee Meadows Water Authority

After Legislature Orders Audit And Investigation Of Rates, TMWA Opens Web Page To Present Its Case To The Public

"Setting The Record Straight"

• Assembly Bill 323 Comments and Corrections

• Truckee River Fund Comments and Corrections

• New Operations Center for TMWA Comments and Corrections

• TMWA Staff Salaries Corrections and Clarifications

• PUCN Jurisdiction Corrections and Clarifications

• Why was TMWA forced into unusually high rate increases?

____________________

From The US Congress

Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $4 Million In Funding For Hazmat Emergency Response Operations and Information Center (HEROIC) In Southern Nevada

Press Release

____________________

June 22, 2005

_____

From The US Department Of Defense

Nevada Home To Nation's Newest Air Force Base

Gibbons Celebrates Creech Air Force Base, Hails $85 Million Funding for Predator Program and Troops

Creech Air Force Base

General Wilbur L. "Bill" Creech

__________

Latest On Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Nevada's Latest Move In Ongoing Federal Appeals Court Battle -- Challenges DOE's Yucca Mountain Transportation And Rail Corridor Decision

State of Nevada Reply Brief

__________

From The US Congress

Witness Testifies To Difficulties Tracking Smuggled Nuclear Materials

Testimony of Gene Aloise -- Combating Nuclear Smuggling: Efforts to Deploy Radiation Detection Equipment in the United States and in Other Countries

_____

Senate Appropriations Committee Approves More Money For Nevada Law Enforcement

Sens. Reid, Ensign Announce More Than $1 Million For Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant Program

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

Councilmen's trial: Inzunza pressed to bring up 'no-touch' changes

Witnesses' credibility, tapes may make case: Strip club owner's testimony was crucial, legal experts say

__________

From North Las Vegas

Yeah, It Looks Wrong To Have Created That Government Job For Her -- But It's Not Improper

Chief defends hiring NLV councilwoman's daughter: Intern's mom has control over police budget (Las Vegas Sun article)

NLV hires Buck's daughter as intern: Officials say hiring of councilwoman's relative not improper (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

All in the family (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

__________

From The Sierra Nevada Alliance

New Report Says Development Boom In Mountain Communities Will Bring Problems

Planning for the Future: A Sierra Nevada Land Use Index

Sierra Nevada Alliance

__________

From The US Department Of Agriculture

USDA Program For $14.3 Million National Identification System For Animals

Press Release

__________

From The US Department Of The Interior

Environmental Study Supports Wind Energy Development on Public Lands -- Including Nevada

Press Release

Wind Energy Development Programmatic EIS Information Center

__________

From The US Bureau Of Land Management

BLM Publishes Final Environmental Impact Study on Changes to Grazing Regulations

Notice And Study

__________

From The US Bureau Of Reclamation

Reclamation Seeks Public Comment on Development of Management Strategies for Lake Powell and Lake Mead

Announcement And Details

__________

From The Federal Elections Commission

Feds Seek To Regulate Campaign Practices On The Net

Public Hearing on Internet Communications/Notice of Proposed Rulemaking

____________________

June 23, 2005

_____

On Nevada's Nuclear Future

From The President Of The United States

 President Discusses Energy Policy, Economic Security

 "Nuclear power is one of America's safest sources of energy. People out here practice a lot of safety, they're good at it. You've got nuclear engineers and experts that spend a lot of time maintaining a safe environment. Just ask the people that work here. You wouldn't be coming here if it wasn't safe, I suspect. (Laughter.)"

 Transcript of the President's Remarks

_____

Question For TNO Readers:  Why Don't Clean Alternative Energy Sources Get The Same Kind Of Government Subsidies As The Nuclear Power Industry?

_____

From The Union Of Concerned Scientists

Group Expresses Concern Over Proposed Energy Bill

Provision in Energy Bill Would Weaken Controls on Nuclear Bomb Material

________

From The State Of Utah

Utah Fears Skull Valley Nuclear Waste Temporary Storage Will Become Permanent; NRC Rejects State's Argument

NRC rejects another state argument against nukes (Provo Herald article)

__________

From The Office Of The Governor

 New Figures On The Monthly Tax Haul

Nevada Sales Up 10.6 Percent; Sales Tax Revenues Up 14.68 Percent For April 2005 Over Last Year

Press Release

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

Vice detective who posed as corrupt cop testifies at councilmen's trial

Prosecutors may rest scandal case today: Strip club manager won't testify at this time

__________

From The Office Of The Attorney General

Man Sentenced To 8 Years In Prison For Insurance Fraud

Press Release

__________

From The State Press

Why Coddle Business Thieves? -- An Excellent Column

White collar; blue future (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

__________

From The US Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals

Court Allows Defendants To Challenge Government Claims Of Necessity For Wiretaps

United States v. Gonzales

__________

From Washoe County

New Public Defender Selected To Represent The Indigent Accused

 Press Release

_____

County Adopts New Equal Employment Opportunity Plan To Diversify Work Force

Press Release

_____

Washoe County Manager Elected Head Of National Government Managers Group

Press Release (Washoe County)

Press Release (The Innovation Groups)

"a continuing vision and quest to provide governmental excellence to citizens"

The Innovation Groups

How About This "Innovation": Join The Ranks Of Responsible Nevada Local Governments And Publish The Washoe County Budget

____________________

June 24, 2005

_____

From The US Supreme Court

Court: Government Can Take Private Property For "Public Use" And "Public Use" Includes Private Interests

Connecticut Residents' Homes Seized; To Be Bulldozed For Corporate Office Development Project Which Would Pay More Taxes

Home Not Your "Castle" Anymore

". . . nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation." -- US Constitution, Fifth Amendment

"This 'Court long ago rejected any literal requirement that condemned property be put into use for the general public.'" -- (See p. 10 of decision)

Kelso v. City of New London

Rep. Gibbons Joins with Western Leaders in Denouncing Supreme Court Decision Undercutting Property Rights

__________

From The Education Trust

Public Interest Report Scores Nevada, Other States For Playing Games With Education Statistics

From The Report::

Nevada's Graduation Rate Goals Appear To Be Set Artificially Low, For Easy Achievement

• Nevada's Graduation Rate Goals Are Set Lower Than The Reported Graduation Rate For 2002-2003

Double-Digit Discrepancies Between Nevada Figures And Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Rankings

No Nevada Statistics For Graduation Rates Of:

•      Low-Income Students

•      Disabled Students

•      Students With Limited-English Language Skills

Report Says Nevada Education Officials Failed To Respond To Inquiries About Their Statistics

The Education Trust Press Release

Getting Honest About Grad Rates: How States Play the Numbers and Students Lose (See charts on pages 3, 5, 7, 11, 13-15)

The Education Trust

__________

From The Federal Bureau Of Investigation

A Statement To The Public

 CRACKING DOWN ON PUBLIC CORRUPTION: Why We Take It So Seriously...and Why It Matters To You

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

Prosecution rests in corruption trial of two San Diego councilmen

Prosecution is expected to conclude its case today: Defense attorneys say their turn will take about 2 weeks

__________

From The US Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals

Appeals Court Reinstates Whistleblower's Federal Lawsuit Alleging Abusive Practices In Washoe County District Attorney's Office

Botello v. Gammick, et al.

__________

From The US Congress

Sen. Ensign Introduces Bill To Break Up US Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals

Press Release

_____

From The Neon Empire

Be Afraid.  Be Very Afraid.

Treasure Island Management's "Carnie" Mentality Costs Casino Worker His Job

The Hotel-Casino has "a long-standing policy in our company and our industry to fiercely protect the privacy of our guests and customers and to not release any information whether that information is real or imagined." -- Except, Of Course, For Federal Authorities

Pit boss who reported he saw runaway bride fired (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

You Win Some And You Lose Some

From The US Department Of The Interior

State And Local Governments To Get More Under Federal Payments In Lieu Of Taxes (PILT) Program -- $13.7 Million For Nevada

Press Release

_____

From The US Fish & Wildlife Service

$18 Million In Wetlands Funding; Nothing For Nevada

Norton Announces Funding for Wetlands Projects, Additions to National Wildlife Refuges

__________

Our Water -- You Can Taste the Refinement

From The US Geological Survey

 Parking-Lot Sealcoat: A Major Source of PAHs in Urban and Suburban Environments

_____

From The US General Accountability Office

Can't Afford Bottled Water? -- In Southern Nevada, Get A Boost From Tincture Of Rocket Fuel

USGAO Report -- Perchlorate: A System To Track Sampling And Cleanup Results Is Needed

Highlights

Full Report

__________

From The US Census Bureau

New Reports: The Hidden Economy -- Non-Cash Benefits And The Invisible Poor

Alternative Income Estimates In The United States: 2003

Alternative Poverty Estimates In The United States: 2003

____________________

June 25, 2005

_____

From The National Education Association

Teachers' Salaries Stagnant; Nevada Salaries Rank 26th In Nation, Says New Report

NEA Study Reveals Teacher Salaries Stagnant for Last Decade: Schools Struggle To Find and Keep Well-Qualified Teachers

Rankings & Estimates: Rankings of the States 2004 and Estimates of School Statistics 2005

National Education Association

__________

Nevada Leaders Ask BRAC Commission To Reconsider Hawthorne Ammunition Depot Closing, Reno Air Guard Realignment

Statement of Sen. John Ensign

Statement of Rep. Jim Gibbons

Statement of Gov. Kenny Guinn

_____

From The US Congress

_____

Sen. Reid Works To Get New Buses For Rural Nevada Schools

Press Release

_____

Sen. Ensign Request For Improved Handicapped Access Granted

Press Release

_____

Nevada To Get $13.7 Million In PILT Funds (Payments In Lieu Of Taxes); Rep. Gibbons Reiterates Need For Feds To Fully Fund  Program  

Press Release

Rep. Gibbons Votes Against Cutting Education Funding

Press Release

__________

From The Nevada Supreme Court

Statements Made To Police Are Protected By Qualified Privilege -- Must Be Made In Good Faith

Pope v. Motel 6

Citizens Can Challenge Commission Findings;  Nevada Ethics Statutes Don't Apply To Advisory Committees

Hantges v. City of Henderson

False Imprisonment Charge Requires Factual Basis Independent Of Other Charged Crimes

Garcia v. State

Child Pornography Statute Did Not Authorize Multiple Convictions For A Single Act

Wilson v. State

Two Different Methods Exist For Enforcing Individuals With Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Problems: Due Process Hearing And Complaint Review Procedure

Gumm v. State Department Of Education

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

Defense to start calling its witnesses: Judge expected to rule on motion for acquittal

_____________________

June 26, 2005

_____

From Churchill County

Churchill County Gets A New School Superintendent

School board selects Ross as superintendent  (Lahontan Valley News article)

School board makes changes in contract (Lahontan Valley News article)

_____

Paiute-Shoshone Community Alarmed At Increasing Drug Use

Fallon tribe plans meth task force following educational forum (Lahontan Valley News article)

__________

From Elko County

Utility Rates Increase

Carlin: City Raises Utility Rates (Elko Free Press article)

__________

From Lyon County

County Commission's Last Written Evaluation Of County Managers Was In 1990

“We need to develop a process.”

Lyon Board says no manager evaluation process exists (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

_____

 Commissioners Decide To Skip Business Impact Statement On New Residential Construction Tax

Lyon says construction tax doesn’t require (Mason Valley News article)

_____

Planning Commission Requires Owner To Add Improvements Costing More Than The Property Was Worth

"requirements appear to create a fully improved roadway in the middle of a dirt road system."

Lyon PlanCom urged to follow established codes (Mason Valley News article)

_____

Brain Fever Potential On Walker River

St. Louis encephalitis found in Wilson Canyon mosquito (Mason Valley News article)

__________

From Mineral County

State Senator Thinks Presentation Against Closing Ammunition Depot Went Well

BRAC officials may hold hearing in Hawthorne (Lahontan Valley News article)

__________

From White Pine County

County Financial Crisis Continues

State may take over county finances (Ely Times article)

_____

No Helping Hand From Las Vegas

Las Vegas reneges on free trucks for EVFD (Ely Times article)

_____

Memories Of Better Times

At the Throttle - More Good Old Days on the NNRy line (Ely Times article)

__________

More On The Acts Of The Late Legislature

The Millennium Scholarship Program

Investment in the future or birth of an entitlement? (Fallon Star Press column)

_________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

Lewis' widow says she didn't see him take cash: She disputes strip club owner's claims as defense opens its case

____________________

June 27, 2005

_____

Recent News From Nevada's $kindustry

_____

Flesh And Fantasy

The Life: Inside the brothel, days and nights are an unusual mix of strict rules, camaraderie, and sex for money (Las Vegas Weekly article)

_____

What's In A Name?

Brothel won’t open under Mustang name (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada Brothel Girls News Articles

More Mustang Ranch Name News From The Nevada Brothel Girls Forum

Gilman Duped By Government (Nevada Brothel Girls Forum Thread)

_____

 Proposed Investigation Of Bill To Prohibit Strip Club Payoffs To Taxi Drivers Passed Off To Attorney General's Office By Gov. Guinn

The Only "Backroom Deal" For Which An Investigation Was Requested; Other Allegations Apparently Regarded As Legislative Prerogative

Anyone For Golf?

Guinn says AG will handle cabbies' request for an investigation (Las Vegas Sun article)

_____

City Of Henderson's Revocation Of Business License Of Massage Parlor, Cited For Prostitution, Ruled Unconstitutional By Clark County District Judge

City Folds; Withdraws Proposed Ordinance

HENDERSON: Two massage parlors get OK to reopen: City Council revoked business licenses after both were cited for illegal sexual activity (Las Vegas Review-Journal Article)

Massage studio closed for alleged prostitution allowed to reopen (Las Vegas Sun article)

For addition details, check the 8th Judicial District Court search engine for Cases 05-A-504379-W (Hong-Chen A. Yan v. City of Henderson), 05-A-504256-J (Henderson Oriental Massage v. City of Henderson), and 04-A-478794-W (Sunset Massage LLC v. Henderson City Council): click on "Calendar" in left-hand column; then click on "Yes" to see court minutes (Sorry; no functioning hyperlink available for TNO readers)

_____

Suspects In Plot To Murder Man Who "Badmouthed" Strip Club To Face A Jury Of Twelve

Murder-plot suspects with ties to club will stand trial (Las Vegas Sun article)

___________

More On The Late Legislature

Openness suffers: Legislators wanting to crack down on terrorism ended up cracking down on Nevadans (Reno News & Review article)

Nevada gamblers could face cover charges (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Wind power plan saved by legislation (Las Vegas City Life article)

__________

From The Office Of The Governor

From Anointment To Apologia

CAPITOL INTERVIEW: Guinn defends 2003 tax increase (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

See articles under heading "The 2003 Tax Override" in right-hand column for background on this unfortunate scheme

__________

Does Our Jury System Need Reform?

Local legal experts debate jury selection system (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Do Our Jurists Need Reform?

Activist judges? Look around your own state (Pahrump Valley Times editorial)

__________

From Nye County

Entitlement Fantasy: Pahrump Developers Want To Sell Subdivision Built In A Wash And Have Government Pay For Flood Protection

"It seems like the developers are in the driver's seat," said Town Board member Paul Willis. "They're not doing us a big favor coming here. The citizens of the town are going to bear this [$6.8 Million] expense."

Developers, officials battle over impacts (Pahrump Valley Times article)

_____

More "Developing" News

Town focuses on development agreements (Pahrump Valley Times article)

_____

E Pluribus Unum

"Water goes where the water is needed," [SNWA] authority spokesman Vince Alberta said. "The water is a resource for all the citizens of Nevada and it is not dictated by county lines."

Nye one of six rurals to join new water authority (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

From The City Of Favors

Let Me Call You Sweetheart -- Popular Las Vegas Slogan Sold By LVCVA To R&R Advertising For One Dollar

"This became a phenomenon beyond our expectations and dreams, and we have had to step up the formality of our game."

Jeff German: R & R is sure to get bang for its buck (Las Vegas Sun column)

__________

 From The Second Or Third Biggest Little City In Nevada

 Reno's First One Was A Multi-Million Dollar Loser, So Why Not Have Two?

New Opportunity For More Bowling Stadiums, Imported Chinese Paving Stones, Inflated Government Salaries And Consulting Contracts

Redevelopment district plans concern many (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

An Interesting Question

Why is life in Nevada so lousy? (Reno News & Review article)

____________________

June 28, 2005

_____

From The US Supreme Court

The Talking Wires

FCC Internet Ruling Upheld: Broadband Cable Modem Companies Exempt From Mandatory Common-Carrier Regulation

National Cable & Telecommunications Ass'n v. Brand X Internet Services

_____

Internet File Swapping Services Liable For Third-Party Copyright Infringements

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, Inc. v. Grokster, Ltd.

_____

Man And God And Law

Constitutionality Of Government Display Of Ten Commandments  Depends On The Underlying Purpose

McCreary County v. ACLU of Kentucky

_____

Display Of Ten Commandments On Fraternal Monolith Within State Property Is Constitutional

Van Orden v. Perry

__________

From The State Capitol

Our Brand New Laws

First Legislative Tsunami To Sweep Nevada July 1 --Three More Waves Of Latest Legislative Changes To Follow

The New Laws, Arranged By Effective Dates

Laws Of The 73rd Session

July 1, 2005

October 1, 2005

January 1, 2006

July 1, 2006

Laws Of The 22nd Special Session

July 1, 2005

October 1, 2005

July 1, 2006

__________

From Southern Nevada

Sierra Club, Transportation Officials Settle US Hwy 95 Federal Lawsuit

Press Release (USDOT)

Press Release (Sen. Ensign)

Press Release (Gov. Guinn)

__________

From The Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA)

FEMA Funds Authorized To Fight Goodprings Fire West Of Las Vegas

Press Release (FEMA)

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

"You have considerable evidence in this case, from wiretaps, from the government's informants, and you need to rebut that in some way," said David Steinberg, a professor at Thomas Jefferson School of Law. "And the only people who can say 'We weren't asking for money' are the councilmen."

Deciding if defendants will testify is a gamble: Choice can pay off, be risky, some area attorneys believe

____________________

June 29, 2005

_____

Latest State Opinion Poll Shows Rep. Gibbons With Strong Lead Over Rivals For 2006 Gubernatorial Election

John L. Smith: Poll affirms Gibbons' inside track to governorship; Perkins stuck at gate (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

__________

From Las Vegas

"What happens here, stays here"

 Convention Authority Paid Advertising Firm To Develop Slogan In Multi-Million Dollar Ad Campaign, Then Sold It Back For One Dollar

More Details Emerge In Questionable Transaction Between Las Vegas Convention Authority And R&R Advertising

"[LVCVA President Rossi] Ralenkotter says he believes he had authority to make the agreement himself without bringing it to the attention of the LVCVA's 13-member board of elected and civic leaders."

Jeff German: Slogan deal boggles the mind (Las Vegas Sun column)

_____

"The ink was barely dry on the secret eight-page agreement Nov. 9 when R & R lawyers express-mailed a package to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office with an application for a trademark to market "souvenirs and clothing" under the "what happens here, stays here" name."

Jeff German: Slogan sale may have skirted law (Las Vegas Sun column)

_____

"There's no question they're giving up ownership of a trademark and getting very little in return," she said. "They're giving away valuable rights."

Questions surround LVCVA's slogan deal (Las Vegas Sun article)

_____

Statutes Governing The Operations Of The LVCVA

NRS 244A.603 to NRS 244A.633

LVCVA Website

_____

R&R Partners

Website

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

Judge denies motion to toss counts against councilmen

_____

Prosecutors preview closing arguments against councilmen: Government says extortion is proved

__________

From The US Congress

BRAC Commissioner To Visit Nevada Military Bases Slated For Closure Or Realignment

Press Release (Sen. Reid)

_____

Sen. Reid's Statement On Sierra Club-US 95 Settlement

"The compromise was reached after Reid and Sen. John Ensign (R-NV) insisted all parties work out their differences."

Press Release

_____

Sens. Reid, Ensign Insert Protective Clause For Sierra Pacific In Energy Bill Passed By Senate

"Sierra Pacific and Nevada Power entered into contracts in good faith and now face the prospect of being on the hook for $300 million in power our state never received."

Press Release (Sen. Ensign)

_____

Sen. Ensign Moves To Block US Forest Service Destruction Of Lake Tahoe's Dreyfus Estate

"This decision was made by the Forest Supervisor when she was literally walking out the door to take another job in Colorado."

Press Release (Sen. Ensign)

_____

Senator Works To Save Planned Las Vegas Veterans' Hospital

Press Release (Sen. Ensign)

____________________

June 30, 2005

_____

From Las Vegas

"What happens here, stays here"

More Questions About Sale Of Las Vegas City Slogan To Politically Influential Advertising Firm For $1

"Gibson, who was [LVCVA] board chairman during the November meeting, said Tuesday that he did not believe the board understood that it was paving the way for the transfer of the "What happens here" slogan when it approved a list of 24 responsibilities for Ralenkotter to handle. The responsibility for assigning intellectual property was 23rd on the list."

Gibson: Slogan deal caught board off guard: 'What happens here, stays here' transfer happened on same day Ralenkotter given OK to handle trademarks (Las Vegas Sun article)

_____

"Billy Vassiliadis, CEO of R & R, said the company doesn't have any intention to profit from the trademark. But if that is the case, why did R & R, on the day after the LVCVA assigned it the rights to the slogan, file an application with the Commissioner of Trademarks in Arlington, Va., saying that it 'has a bona fide intention to use the mark in commerce on or in connection to goods and services'? The application specifically mentions that the slogan would be used for 'souvenirs and clothing.'"

Exposing a secret deal (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

_____

"[W]hat Ralenkotter and Vassiliadis don't like to talk about are the flaws in the agreement -- the biggest of which is that it appears to legally turn over all rights to profit from the trademark, which some experts say could be worth millions of dollars to R & R."

Jeff German: Slogan deal approved quickly and under radar (Las Vegas Sun column)

_____

LVCVA Minutes Mention Success Of "What Happens Here" Advertising Campaign, But Nothing About The Sale Of The Slogan Later That Day

Minutes of LVCVA Meeting November 9, 2004 (See pages 6-7)

_____

One Month Earlier -- October 2004:  Ralenkotter and Vassiliadis Received Brandweek Magazine's 2004 Grand Marketer of the Year Award "for the unparalleled success of the 'What Happens Here, Stays Here' campaign for Las Vegas."

LVCVA Press Release

_____

More Unanswered Questions

• When was the sale of the slogan first discussed?

• Who participated in this discussion?

• Who drafted the agreement selling the slogan 'What Happens Here, Stays Here' To R&R Partners for $1?

• On whose instructions was the agreement drawn up?

• What were those instructions?

• When was the agreement drafted?

• Who at the LVCVA reviewed the agreement to see that the Convention Authority's (and the public's) interests were protected?

• Who, if anyone, asked for the review?

• When did this happen?

• What do the LVCVA memoranda, e-mails and phone records show?

• How does the LVCVA usually handle contracts transferring public property? 

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

San Diego councilmen in meeting during strip club lobbyist visit

_____

Las Vegas prosecutor challenged by defense: Judge rejects motion to acquit Inzunza, Zucchet

__________

Latest On Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump

Sens. Ensign, Reid Call For Suspension of Yucca License

Press Release (Sen. Ensign)

_____

Key USGS Scientist Testifies At Yucca Mountain Hearing; Chairman Porter vows to continue probe

Press Release (Rep. Porter)

_____

Peculiar Anomalies In Costs, Results Of Yucca Mountain Opinion Polls

Survey of 70 Residents of Rural Nevada Cost $212,000 ($505 Per Question); Survey of 600 Residents of Clark County Cost $18,000 ($.20 Per Question)

Consultants For Rural Nevada Poll Also Worked For Nuclear Power Industry Advocates

"We were out with the subs (subcontractors) a good deal of the time. We spent a good deal of time overseeing and focusing them. We wanted to use people who were local to the county. We did not want to use a professional organization. If we had used a professional organization, we would not have gotten the result that we needed to get."

Opposing views show in Yucca surveys: Citizens in rural areas, Clark County reach different conclusions (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

From The US Congress

Sen. Ensign: Record Payment-In-Lieu-Of Taxes (PILT) Payments Good News For Nevada

Press Release (Sen. Ensign)

_____

Sen. Ensign Announces $1.1 Million For Southern Nevada Workforce Investment Board

Press Release (Sen. Ensign)

___________________________________________________________________________________________________

May 15, 2005

==================================================================================================

Breaking News

=================================

May 14, 2005

_____

From The Legislature

Another Short Friday; Legislators Out The Door By Noon

Assembly

Assembly Unanimously Passes 4 Bills And A Resolution; Transmits Them To State Senate

• SB 43* (Bill Adopting Revised Interstate Compact For Juveniles)

• SB 199* (Bill To Adopt The Revised Uniform Partnership Act)

• SB 417# (Allows Counties To Regulate Personal Assistive Mobility Devices)

• SB 449#* (Bill Expanding Burglary Statute To Include Crime Of Obtaining Money Under False Pretenses)

• SJR 11* (From 72nd Legislative Session -- Resolution Eliminating 60 Day Restriction On Legislative Salaries, And Providing For "Reasonable Allowances" Instead Of "Actual Expenses")

(# No Counsel Digest of Bill to guide the Legislators or public.)

(* Previously passed by State Senate; if Gov. Guinn signs it, it becomes law)

_____

Senate

Senate Unanimously Passes One Bill; Transmits It To State Assembly

• SB 78 (Bill Granting Permanent Authority To University Of Nevada Regents To Grant Waivers For Registration And Laboratory Fees To Active Nevada Guard Members)

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

"They basically were going to give the councilmen something good in the front so we could get something in the back."

Jurors hear tape of lobbyist saying Inzunza ready to repeal 'no touch' law

FBI informant tells of secret recordings: Montagna testifies about using hidden body wire over 3 years

In San Diego City Hall case, informant testifies about hidden body wire

__________

From The US Congress

Sen. Ensign Co-Sponsor Of Enhanced Consumer Protection Against Spyware Act

Press Release

__________

From The Office Of The US Attorney For Nevada

Las Vegas Detention Center Nurse Sentenced For Assisting Gang Member's Escape

Press Release

Las Vegas Man Gets Ten Year Prison Term For Internet Sales Of Smuggled Date Rape Drug

Press Release 

____________________

May 15, 2005

_____

A Look At The Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) Pipeline Project

• The Impact of a Growth Interruption in Southern Nevada     

• Clark, Lincoln and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project Website          

• Clark, Lincoln and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project Overview          

• Clark, Lincoln and White Pine Counties Groundwater Development Project Fact Sheet

• Interbasin Transfers

• Water Permit Process

• Planned Facilities

• Map of basins and proposed alignment of pipelines and powerlines

• Application for Rights-of-Way

• Lincoln County Agreement

•      Exhibit A To Lincoln County Agreement

•      Exhibit B To Lincoln County Agreement

• Notice of Intent to Prepare Environmental Impact Statement

• The EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) Process

•      Biological Studies

•     Hydrological Studies

• Public Participation

_____

And A Look At SNWA

• SNWA Website

• Annual Report (2003)

• Conservation Plan

• Water Resource Plan

• SNWA In-state Resources Information

• SNWA Water Resources Booklet

• SNWA Concepts for Development of Additional In-State Water Resources

_____

For Additional Information

The Nevada State Engineer's Office

• Website

• Monthly Report Search Engine

• Orders and Rulings

• Well Driller Licensing And Compliance

•      Well Driller Database

• Water Planning

_____

The Nevada Secretary Of State's Office

Corporate Search Page

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

Lobbyist said to be involved in bribery: Informant testifies Malone knew plan

____________________

May 16, 2005

_____

From Washoe County

County Government And Public Accountability In The News Again

Does Washoe County have a vendetta against this man? (Reno News & Review article)

_____

County Still Hasn't Gotten Around To Posting This Year's Budget, Or Any Other 

Washoe County Website (Try their search engine for no results)

Washoe County Commissioners

Washoe County's "Vision And Values" Page

_____

County Would Like Your Opinion On The Budget They Won't Publish

Washoe County FY05-06 Online Budget Survey

_____

Questions for TNO Readers:  Why elect or employ officials who aren't willing (or are "too busy") to show the public how they're handling public funds?  Is there some reason not be be open about it? 

____________________

May 17, 2005

_____

From Washoe County

County Adopts $684 Million Budget For FY 2005-2006 With "Restrained" 6 Percent Growth In Spending -- Public Comments Limited On A Budget They Can't See

Press Release

Public Notice (Doesn't even tell the public where a copy of the budget is available for viewing)

Washoe County Website

__________

From The Neon Empire

Terrorism, Money Laundering, And Nevada's Gaming Industry

  Nevada's Casino Currency Transaction Reporting Rules About To Change -- State Regulations Not In Compliance With New Federal Standards

Gaming Commission To Consider Options At May 19th Meeting

Nevada Gaming Commission Agenda, May 19, 2005 (see page 5, item 8)

The Federal Standards

31 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) 103

FinCEN Form 102a (Suspicious Activity Reporting and Casinos)

To Be Changed Or Repealed: Nevada's Existing Regulations

• GCB Currency Transaction Reporting Information

• NGC Regulation 6A

• Regulation 6A Currency Transaction Reporting 

• Branch Office Visits 

• Regulation 6A Newsletter #5

Related NGC Currency Transaction Rules

• NGC Regulation 6.090 

• CPA Minimum Internal Controls Reporting Standards Requirements 

• GCB Internal Audit Compliance Checklists for Currency Transaction Reporting Guidelines

_____

How Money Laundering Works

Al owns a strip club with two partners, Bob and Charlie.  Bob sells the cocaine and methamphetamine, and Charlie runs the hookers.  Bob and Charlie give their illegal cash profits to Al, who declares that it's all lawful revenue from selling drinks at the bar.  Al pays taxes on the cash, pays himself a nice salary, and then distributes the rest as "partnership shares," salaries for "no-show" jobs, or inflated prices for goods and services to Bob and Charlie.  Now the money's clean, and they can fearlessly use it for legitimate purposes.   

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

Prosecution, defense agree on use of surveillance photos

__________

From The Legislature

_____

Assembly

Assembly Passes 6 Bills, 5 Of Them By Unanimous Vote; Transmits Them To State Senate

• SB 31* (Bill Making Minor Changes To Nevada Silver Haired Legislative Forum)

• SB 91* (Bill To Give Department of Corrections A Supplemental Appropriation Of $3,719,069)

• SB 205#* (Bill Criminalizing The Sale Or Vandalizing Of Tombstones, Or The Breaking Of Shrubs Or Plants Within A Cemetery, On Pain Of A Felony)

• SB 261#* (Bill To Put Snowboarders Under Skiing Safety Provisions)

• SB 297#* (Bill To Abolish Committee For Protection Of Children And Provide Grant Money To Subsidize Additional Bureaucratic Layer For Family Resource Centers And Public Welfare Services)

• SB 382#* (Bill To Allow Trustee Of Tweedledee Trust To Transfer Property To Tweedledum, Inc., And Allowing The Flim-Flam To Continue For 150 Years)

(# No Counsel Digest of Bill to guide the Legislators or public.)

(* Previously passed by State Senate; if Gov. Guinn signs it, it becomes law)

_____

Senate

Senate Passes 22 Bills And Resolutions, All But One By Unanimous Vote; Transmits Them To State Assembly

• SB 214 (Bill To Create Commission To Track Quality Of Education In Public Schools)

• AB 80* (Bill Regulating Well-Diggers And Abandonment of Wells)

• AB 108* (Bill Eliminating Pay For School Hearing Officers And Diluting Their Qualifications)

• AB 112* (Bill Requiring Owners Of Vessels To Carry Personal Flotation Devices And Lifebuoys)

• AB 118* (Bill To Criminalize Tobacco Smoking In Video Arcades)

• AB 159* (Bill To Allow Clark County, And No Other Counties, To Expand Number Of Members Of County Wildlife Management Advisory Board To 7)

• AB 181* (Bill Eliminating State License For Buyers Of Farm Products Or Livestock)

• AB 220* (Bill To Clarify State Regulation Of Alternative Fuels)

• AB 231#* (Bill To Study And Make Recommendations On Safe Walking Routes For Schoolchildren in Clark And Washoe Counties)

• AB 271* (Bill To Provide Palliative Care For Terminally Ill Hospital Patients If The Federal Government Provides Matching Funds)

• AB 341#* (Bill To Exempt Persons In Eminent Domain Proceedings From Provisions Governing Real Estate Appraisers)

• AB 392#* (Bill Requiring Nevada Tax Commission To Adopt Uniform Regulations For The Assessment Of Property, But Doesn't Allow Property Owners To Sue To Enforce Them)

• AB 393#* (Bill To Allow Counties To Sell Tax Liens Against Real Property)

• AB 486#* (Bill Requiring Tobacco Companies To Post Up To $50 Million Bond In Civil Litigation)

• AB 501#* (Bill Extending Jurisdiction Of State Contractors Board Over Shifty Contractors And Their Agents)

• AB 518#* (Bill Authorizing School Districts To Provide Minimum Attendance Requirements For Kindergarten, The First Grade, And Remedial Education Classes)

• AB 537#* (Bill Permitting Resolution Of Construction Defect Disputes By State Board Of Contractors)

• AB 547#* (Bill Making Method Of Distribution Of Tax Revenues From Certain Fuels More Complex)

• AJR 4* (Resolution Telling The Federal Government That Yucca Mountain Is Unsuitable As A Nuclear Waste Dump)

• AJR 10* (Resolution To Shorten Residency Requirement For Voting From 6 Months To 30 Days)

• AJR 12* (Resolution Urging United States Department Of Transportation To Act Regarding Federal Cargo Securement Regulations)

• AJR 14* (Resolution To Nevada Congressional Delegation To Support Bill Requiring Federal Government Share Results Of Clinical Tests With States)

(# No Counsel Digest of Bill to guide the Legislators or public.)

(* Previously passed by State Assembly; if Gov. Guinn signs it, it becomes law)

__________

From The US Congress

House Of Representatives Again Passes Gibbons Land Transfer Bill For Relief Of Truckee-Carson Irrigation District

Press Release (Rep. Gibbons)

__________

From The Office Of The Governor

Gov. Guinn Proclaims "Rate Your Future" Week For Nevada Students

Press Release

The "Rate Your Future" Survey

__________

From The US Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals

Full Appeals Court To Rehear Case Of Casino Employee Fired For Refusing To Wear Makeup; Previous 2004 Decision Withdrawn

Jesperson v. Harrah's Operating Company, Inc. (Rehearing Granted)

Jesperson v. Harrah's Operating Company, Inc. (Decision Withdrawn)

__________

From The US Department Of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service

Nevada's Carson Desert, Pine, Walker And Warner Watersheds Selected For 2005 Conservation Security Program

Conservation Security Program (CSP) Nevada FY 2005

Nevada CSP Watersheds Map

_____________________

May 18, 2005

_____

From The Legislature

More Than 300 Bills Still Under Consideration As Legislature Goes Into Final 3 Weeks

Will This Session Repeat The Antics Of Past Sessions By Suspending Rules And Casting Hasty, Disordered Votes For Last-Minute Amendments And Special Interest Proposals?  Let's Wait And See.

Public Urged To Start Watching For The Old, Notorious Legislative "Final Days" Routine Of Manufactured Confusion And Blundering Performances

 Bills And Resolutions "Exempt" From Deadlines

_____

Assembly

Assembly Unanimously Passes 2 Bills; Transmits Them To State Senate

• AB 249# (Bill To Tighten Up Laws On Unfair Trade Practices By Motor Vehicle Dealers, And Authorizing $10,000 Fines For Violations)

• AB 386# (Bill To Permit Custodial Parents To Sue To Enforce Child Support Payments, And Requiring An Audit Of The Child Support Collection And Enforcement Practices Of The State Welfare Division)

(# No Counsel Digest of Bill to guide the Legislators or public.)

_____

Senate

Senate Passes 2 Bills By Unanimous Vote; Transmits Them To State Assembly

• SB 107* (Bill Requiring State And Local Governments To Report Capital Improvement Projects To The Legislative Counsel Bureau Director)

• SB 509# (Bill To Revise Provisions Of Property Tax Increase Cap; Owner Must File Abatement Claim Or Pay In Full, Triple Penalty For Claims Deemed "False;" Local Governments In Debt Can Override Law Without A Public Vote, And Drops AB 489 Prohibition Against Using Rules To Chisel Taxpayers)

(# No Counsel Digest of Bill to guide the Legislators or public.)

(* Previously passed by State Senate, amended and passed by Assembly; amendment approved in this Senate vote; if Gov. Guinn signs it, it becomes law)

Battle Erupts In Senate Over Cut In Health Care Benefits To Public Employees -- 2 Proposals To Modify SB 484 Fail By 11-10 Vote; Compromise Amendment Passes 17-4

Debate in Senate Daily Journal - Day 100 (Pages 4-19)

__________

From Clark County

Clark County Budget: Spending $3.32 Billion With Revenues Of $2.36 Billion -- Expenses For General Government, Public Works, Culture And Recreation More Than Double Last Year's Figures

Clark County Budget 2005

Other Clark County Financial Information

General Fund

Capital Improvement Program

Debt Management Policy

__________

From Southern Nevada

  Urban Effluent Flows, Lake Mead, And Clean Drinking Water

Clean Water Coalition Media Update

Algae Task Force: Algae In Lake Mead FAQ

US National Park Service: Fact Sheet About The Green Algae Growth

EPA Inspector General's Evaluation Report: Source Water Assessment And Protection Programs (March 2005 -- For Nevada, see pp. 28-29, 55)

__________

From Washoe County

Some Partial Information On Current Finances

• FY 2005-2010 Washoe County Capital Improvements Program

• Washoe County Government Funds Financial Report 1 Jul 2004-31 Mar 2005

• Status Report On Truckee River Flood Management Project May 4, 2005

• Documents on the South Truckee Meadows General Improvement District 2004-2005

_____

Other Washoe County Documents

Proposed $11,200,000 Bond Issue For Sierra Nevada College

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

"They want money – we want them to do things. It's called lobbying."

Secretly recorded conversations played in councilmen's trial

____________________

May 19, 2005

_____

From The Legislature

_____

Assembly

Assembly Passes 3 Bills, 2 Of Them Unanimously; Transmits Them To State Senate

AB 279 (Bill Allowing Teachers To Informally Critique Their Supervisors, And Making Minor Adjustments In School Administration)

AB 299# (Bill Authorizing Land Swap Between The State And The Reno-Sparks Indian Colony)

AB 530# (Bill Requiring Newly Elected Or Appointed Public Officers To Take An Ethics Class, And Clarifying The Meaning Of "Willful" Ethics Violations)

(# No Counsel Digest of Bill to guide the Legislators or public.)

_____

Senate

Senate Adjourned For The Day

__________

From The City Of Reno

A Positive Step In Local Government -- Reno Unveils New Budget And Special Budget Page On Municipal Website

City Council Approves $453.8 Million Budget

Reno FY 2005-2006 Budget

_____

Other Nevada Local Governments Which Publish Their Budgets

Counties

Carson City

Churchill County

Clark County

Douglas County

Municipalities

Boulder City

City of Henderson

City of Las Vegas

City of Mesquite

City of North Las Vegas

Town of Pahrump

__________

From Washoe County

County Commission, On 3-2 Vote, Censures Board Of Equalization Member Who Had Requested Sworn Testimony At Meeting 

No Press Release; Minutes Of Meeting, Resolution And Letter Of Censure Not Available On County Website

Board of Washoe County Commissioners: Agenda for Meeting of May 17, 2005 (See Item 15, page 5)

 Washoe County Commission's Dossier On Gary Schmidt

_____

More Fragmentary Information On Washoe County Finances

• Washoe County Monthly Financial Reports 2000-2005 (Note 15 monthly reports not compiled or missing)

• Washoe County Comprehensive Annual Finance Report 2003-2004 

• Washoe County Comprehensive Annual Finance Report 2002-2003

• Washoe County Comprehensive Annual Finance Report 2001-2002

• Washoe County Comprehensive Annual Finance Report 2000-2001

• Washoe County Comprehensive Annual Finance Report 1999-2000

__________

From Washington D.C.

Nuclear Industry Spokesman Calls For More Federal Funds To Expedite Yucca Mountain Nuclear Dump Project

Press Release (Nuclear Energy Institute)

__________

From The US Congress

Nevada Congressional Delegation Works To Transfer 547 Acres Of BLM Land To City Of Henderson

Press Release (Sen. Ensign)

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

"Like Mike said to me today, 'Hey, you took our money. You made promises. Keep 'em."'

Plan to bring up 'no-touch' law told in councilmen's trial

"He's a little nervous, ah, he needs, he needs something to back him up. Ah, like he, he needs like some e-mails sent to him from different people."

Inzunza is heard on secret recording: Councilman sought e-mails on adult clubs, jurors told

____________________

May 20, 2005

_____

From The Legislature

_____

Assembly

Assembly Adjourned Until Monday

_____

Senate

Senate Passes 6 Bills, 5 Unanimously; Transmits Them To State Assembly -- Bill To Cut State Employee Health Benefits Passes By 12-8 Vote

• SB 22 (Bill Creating the Interagency Advisory Board On Transitional Services, And Appropriating $56,000 For It)

• SB 96 (Bill Appropriating $31,250 For A Contractor To Update The State Energy Assurance Plan)

• SB 195 (Bill Adding 7 District Judgeships In Clark County, And Appropriating $335,000 To Pay The Salaries)

• SB 304# (Bill To Create State Identity Theft Passports)

• SB 484# (Bill To Cut Health Care Benefits To Public Employees)

• AB 40 (Bill To Create, Regulate And License Community Triage Centers, And Appropriating $370,000 To Put One In The Clark County Jail)

(# No Counsel Digest of Bill to guide the Legislators or public.)

__________

Latest On Yucca Mountain

US Secretary Of Energy Bodman Calls For Resumption Of Nuclear Plant Construction By 2010

"The prospects for nuclear energy are more promising today than at any time since its development. The world’s growing need for energy… and the need to expand our energy sources beyond traditional fossil fuels… set the stage for a revival of safe, clean, efficient and affordable nuclear power – as an important contributor to energy security and independence – here in the United States and around the world."

Speech To Nuclear Energy Assembly

__________

From The Office Of The Governor

Nevada Victims Of Crime To Get $1.6 Million In Federal Funds

“This grant money is a critical component in helping to ease the suffering for those who have been traumatized by criminal acts.”

Press Release (Gov. Guinn)

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

On Closing Rival Clubs

"If I could close this operation, I can, then I'd have total freedom to do what you're asking and beyond. And that's not a necessary requirement for me to support anything you're talking about but I'm just telling you how you make it happen overnight."

 Recordings of lobbyist, councilmen are played: Four heard brainstorming on changing no-touch rule

____________________

May 22, 2005

_____

Looking At The New Local Government Budgets

From The State Department Of Administration

How To Look At A Budget

Budget 101 Manual

Strike A Blow For Honest, Open Government -- If Your Local Government Budget Isn't Posted On The Internet, Ask Why:  "If Pahrump Can Do It, Why Can't You?"

Nevada Statewide Strategic Plan, Goal No. 7: "Maximize the use of the Internet and other technology to make government more accessible and economical."

Nevada Statewide Strategic Plan (From the FY 2005-2007 State Budget)

Some (But Not All) Of The Entities Which Prepare Budgets -- Smaller Quasi-Governments Missing

Nevada Local Government Entities

_____

From The State Department Of Taxation

How The Budgets Look At You

• Nevada Redbook 2004-2005 (Property Tax Rates For Nevada Local Governments)

• 2005-2006 Personal Property Manual

• 2005-2006 Assessor's Recommended Land Factors

• 2005-2006 Improvement Factor Report

• Nevada Sales Taxes

• 2005-2006 Local Government Revenue Projections

Something To Think About -- Local Government Tax Revenues Approximate Those Of The State, But They Have Nearly Four Times The Debt

Nevada Local Government Indebtedness 2003-2004 (Latest Figures Available)

__________

From The Legislature

Legislative Deadlines

• May 20th - Second House Committee Passage, Or The Bill Dies

• May 26th - Finish The Budget

• May 27th - Second House Passage, Or The Bill Dies

• June 1st - Exempt Bills From Committee And Budget Bills Introduced

• June 6th - The Legislature Adjourns Sine Die (Until The Governor Reconvenes It)

Joint Standing Rules Of The Nevada State Legislature

_________

From The Las Vegas Review-Journal

New Series Of Polls Show Differences Between What Voters And Legislators Want

LVR-J 2000-2005 Polls Page

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

On Campaign Contributions To San Diego City Councilmen:

"We raised $25,000 and all they're reporting is $4,500."

FBI spy fed plot, defense contends: Cross examination stretches five hours

Informant tells of lengthy tries to connect Inzunza, supposedly corrupt officer

____________________

May 21, 2005

_____

From The Office Of The Governor

Nevada Hotel-Casino Employment Figures "Within Reach" Of Pre-911 Totals

Press Release With Nevada Employment And Unemployment Estimates For April 2005

_____

State To Spend $4.7 Billion On "Human Services," Up $814 Million From Last Year

• 39 Percent Increase In Division of Mental Health and Developmental Services

• 46 Percent Increase In General Fund Spending

"This is a fiscally responsible investment, one that improves our human services offerings, keeps our families healthy, and our state strong."

 Governor's Message

__________

Latest On Yucca Mountain Nuclear Dump Project

New State Studies

• Urban Impact Of Shipping High-Level Nuclear Waste

Hot Time in the Cities

•  Assessment Of The Proposed Caliente Rail Corridor To Yucca Mountain

     Integrating Hazards Assessment and Impact Assessment

• Nevada's Indian Tribes And High-Level Nuclear Waste

     Measures of Community Impact for the Transportation of Hazardous Materials

• Vulnerability And Consequences Of Terrorist Attacks On Nuclear Waste Transportation Lines

 Planning for an Unpredictable Event 

__________

From The Congress

Sens. Ensign And Reid Amend Congressional Energy Bill; May Provide Relief To Nevada Utility Customers

Press Release (Sen. Ensign)

_____

 Sen. Ensign Co-Sponsoring Federal Bill To Monitor And Track US Sex Offenders

Press Release (Sen. Ensign) 

_____

$46,000 Federal Grant Destined For Elko Fire Prevention

Press Release (Sen. Ensign)

_____ 

House Of Representatives Starts To Get Serious About Payment In Lieu Of Taxes (PILT) Program -- Appropriates $242 Million To Offset Lost Revenue Due To Federal Land Ownership

Press Release (Rep. Gibbons)

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

Generating Fake E-Mails And Civic Concern

"We will get a little hit in the media, yes, they will say what the hell is Inzunza thinking. There'll be one article. But that's just one article. It's limited."

Strategies to amend strip-club rules aired

__________

From The Legislature

Both Houses Took This Friday Off; Will Reconvene Monday

____________________

May 23, 2005

_____

A Beautiful Sunny Day -- No Nevada News, Though

____________________

May 24, 2005

_____

From The Legislature

_____

More Dead Bills

Bills That Failed To Be Passed Out Of Committee By Second House For May 20th Deadline

Joint Standing Rules Of The Nevada State Legislature (For Joint Standing Rule No. 14.3.3, see page 7)

_____

Assembly

Assembly Passes 21 Bills And A Resolution, All But 3 By Unanimous Vote; Transmits Them To State Senate

• AB 101 (Bill Appropriating $365,000 For Nevada Commission For National And Community Service To Match Federal Funds)

• AB 313# (Bill To Provide Revolving Fund To Make Loans To Persons Whose Homes Were Damaged By Natural Disasters)

• AB 526# (Bill To Increase Student-Teacher Ratios In Kindergarten And Elementary School Classes)

• SB 15* (Bill Authorizing State Department Of Taxation To Compromise Tax Bills Under Certain Conditions)

• SB 19* (Bill Changing The Name Of Northern Nevada Senatorial District To Rural Nevada Senatorial District)

• SB 36* (Bill Criminalizing Interference With Or Misrepresentations About Service Animals, And Permitting Civil Lawsuits In Cases Involving Service Animals)

• SB 70* (Bill Permitting Legislative Committee On Public Lands To Make Comments on Public Land Matters)

• SB 81* (Bill Prohibiting Looting Or Destruction Of State Prehistoric And Historic Sites -- Or Face A Misdemeanor)

• SB 93* (Bill Making $1.3 Million Supplemental Appropriation To DMV For Unanticipated Costs Related To Electronic Payments)

• SB 131* (Bill To Add Another Member To The Commission on Mental Health and Developmental Services)

• SB 135* (Bill Eliminating Existing Educational Requirements For Interior Designers)

• SB 138* (Bill To Chisel Taxpayers Who Have Overpaid In One Tax Period, But Owe Money In Another -- See "The Ugly" section of TNO's "The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly" Feature Story)

• SB 169* (Bill Authorizing All Counties Except Clark And Washoe Counties To Use Sales And Use Tax Revenues For Flood Prevention And Solid Waste Disposal Projects

• SB 180* (Bill To Increase Salaries Of Unelected Members of County Boards Of Tax Equalization)

• SB 184* (Bill To Introduce Very Modest Reforms In Local Government "Enterprise Fund"  Bookkeeping)

• SB 193* (Bill To Supervise Donations Of Dead Bodies For Scientific Purposes)

• SB 331#* (Bill To Make State Attorney General Chairman Of State Advisory Commission On Sentencing, And Making Director Of The Department Of Corrections A Mandatory Member)

• SB 395#* (Bill Transferring Some Responsibilities For Drinking Water And Sewer Disposal From The State Health Division To The Environmental Commission)

• SB 424#* (Bill Allowing Cities In Clark And Washoe County Governments To Abate, Fix, Guard, Wreck Or Blow Up Abandoned Nuisances)

• SB 443#* (Bill Abolishing Committee For Public Safety Telecommunications Operators And Ending Requirement That The Main Office Of The Chief Parole And Probation Officer Be In Carson City)

• SB 483#* (Bill Dropping "Willfulness" Requirement To Impose Joint And Several Liability On Officers, Directors And Employees For Unpaid Taxes And Penalties)

• SJR 12* (Resolution Urging US President To Fund Clark County Sport Shooting Park)

(# No Counsel Digest of Bill to guide the Legislators or public.)

(* Previously passed by State Senate; if Gov. Guinn signs it, it becomes law)

_____

Senate

Senate Passes 19 Bills And A Resolution, 17 Of Them By Unanimous Vote; Transmits Them To State Assembly

• SB 183 (Bill To Give White Pine County A New $10.8 Million Courthouse - Up $2.8 Million From Original Proposal)

• SB 242 (Bill Appropriating $55,000 For DMV To Do Stolen Motor Vehicle Checks On Registration And Renewals)

• SB 265# (Bill To Provide Travel Allowance For Legislators When The Legislature Isn't In Session)

• SB 369# (Bill Revising Provisions Of State Judicial Retirement System)

• SB 404# (Bill To Create Committee On Educational Excellence)

• SB 485# (Bill To Extend "Double-Dipping" Practice Of Paying Wages To Special Employees, Who Are Also Collecting State Retirement, For 4 More Years)

• AJR 8#* (Resolution Requiring Determination Of Basis For Qualifying Ballot Initiatives And Referendums At Time Of Filing Petition)

• AB 26* (Bill Providing For Veterans' Homes)

• AB 32* (Bill Making Secret Public Records Of "Proprietary" Information Collected By State Agriculture Department)

• AB 70* (Bill Encouraging School Districts To Allow Outside Groups To Use School Facilities)

• AB 84* (Bill Waiving Fees For Homeless Persons Wishing To Obtain Certain Government Documents)

• AB 104* (Bill Appropriating $67,000 For Western Interstate Commission For Higher Education [WICHE])

• AB 105* (Bill Appropriating $290,000 To Buy Equipment For State Sealer Of Weights And Measures)

• AB 124* (Bill To Have Nevada Taxpayers Pay To Help Hollywood Motion Picture Studios Keep Their Profits Up) (see TNO Article "The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly")

• AB 141* (Increases Balance Of District Fire Emergency Fund From $250,000 To $1 Million)

• AB 165* (Bill To Allow For More Planning Commission Continuances In Clark County)

• AB 337#* (Bill Requiring Licenses For Services Which Provide Home Care For The Elderly Or Infirm And Criminal Background Checks For Their Employees)

•  AB 346#* (Bill To Allow State Fire Marshal To Train Local Firemen And Participate In Law Enforcement Conferences On Commercial Trucking, Environmental Crimes, Explosives And Drugs)

• AB 351#* (Bill To Regulate Displays Of Art In State And Local Parks)

• AB 395#* (Bill To Prohibit Use Of Fake Diplomas -- Or Face A Misdemeanor [Penalty Lowered From Gross Misdemeanor Since Bill Was Introduced])

(# No Counsel Digest of Bill to guide the Legislators or public.)

(* Previously passed by State Assembly; if Gov. Guinn signs it, it becomes law)

__________

From The US Congress

House Votes To Transfer Federal Land For Clark County Heliport

Press Release (Rep. Gibbons)

__________

From The Office Of The Governor

More Than 10,000 Students Take National Governors' "Rate Your Future" Survey -- Results To Be Released This Summer

Press Release (Gov. Guinn)

____________________

From The United States Supreme Court

Supreme Court Rules Exhibiting Defendant In Chains At Sentencing Is Unconstitutional

Deck v. Missouri

_____

Semi-closed Partisan Primary Elections Held Constitutional: Must Be Registered Party Member Or Independent To Vote For Party Primary Candidates

Clingman v. Beaver

_____

Court Upholds Forced Consumer Contributions To Beef Industry Ads -- "Citizens Have No First Amendment Right Not To Fund Government Speech"

Johanns v. Livestock Marketing Assn.

_____

Government Price-Fixing Of Rents Not A Fifth Amendment Taking Which Requires "Just Compensation"

Lingle v. Chevron USA, Inc.

__________

From The Ninth US Circuit Court Of Appeals

Federal Appeals Court Takes A Look At The Purpose And Function Of The Grand Jury System

United States v. Navarro-Vargas

_____

Ninth Circuit Scorches Slovenly Federal Wiretap Applications

United States v. Callum

____________________

May 25, 2005

_____

From The Legislature

Assembly

Assembly Unanimously Passes 2 Bills; Transmits Them To State Senate -- Day Taken Up With Many Amendments And Readings

• AB 35 (Bill To Allow Minors In County Custody To Get A Driver's License)

• AB 93 (Bill Retroactively Changing 2003-2005 State Distributive School Account Appropriation To $1.4 Billion, And Appropriating An Additional $7.9 Million For Unanticipated Expenses In Providing Health Care Subsidies For Retired School District Employees)

Assembly Daily Journal - Day 107

_____

Senate

Senate Session Adjourned Until Wednesday

__________

From The Office Of The Governor

Gov. Guinn Signs Remedial Education Bill

Press Release

AB 518

__________

From The US Congress

House Desalination Bill: A Partial Solution To Western States' Water Woes?

Press Release (Rep. Gibbons)

__________

From The Department Of Agriculture

Nevada To Get $382,950 In USDA Limited Resource Farmers' Funds

Press Release (USDA)

_____

USDA Has $15.4 Million In Business Development Funds For Rural America Available -- No Grants To Nevada, Though

Press Release (USDA)

List Of Recipients

_____

USDA Has $5.9 Million Available For Rural Cooperative Development Grants; Cutoff For Applications Is July 1st

Press Release

__________

From The Ninth Circuit Court Of Appeals

An Interesting Question:  When Are Threats Protected By The First Amendment?

United States v. Cassel

__________

From Las Vegas

Las Vegas Golf Operator Sues Internet Publisher Over Bad Reviews

Walters lawsuit: Stop the extortion, bloggers! (Las Vegas City Life "Shrapnel" article)

Walters: Stop saying mean things about me! (Las Vegas City Life "Shrapnel" article)

State Court Complaint For Defamation And 4 Other Causes Of Action

Las Vegas Golf Holidays, LLC v. Las Vegas Golf Adventures, LLC

Federal Court Complaints For Trademark Infringement, "Cybersquatting" And 5 Other Causes Of Action

Golf Club Of Illinois, Inc. v. Domain Traders

Golf Club Of Illinois, Inc. v. Las Vegas Golf Adventures, LLC

The Players

Walters Golf

TravelGolf.com

____________________

May 26, 2005

_____

From The Office Of The Governor

State Tax Revenues Increase As Nevada Economy Soars

”For the month of March, Nevada has shown double digit increases in tax revenue. This latest showing has contributed to a 16.48 percent increase in sales tax collections for the first nine months of the fiscal year. Thanks to a healthy business climate and the booming tourism sector, Nevada’s economy is strong and growing.”

Tax Revenues Compared To March 2004

• Sales And Use Tax Collections Up 13.81 Percent

• Business Tax And License Collections Up 30.49 Percent

• Excise Tax Collections Up 15.37 Percent

DoTax Press Release

March 2005 Sales And Tax Statistics (Excel Format)

__________

From The Legislature

_____

Assembly

Assembly Passes 34 Bills, 30 By Unanimous Vote; Transmits Them To State Senate

• AB 3 (Bill To Conduct Performance Audits Of College Of Agriculture, Biotechnology And Natural Resources At University Of Nevada-Reno, And School Of Dental Medicine At University Of Nevada-Las Vegas)

• AB 103 (Bill Appropriating $1 Million To Nevada Rural Hospital Partners To Make Loans To Rural Care Providers)

• AB 154 (Bill To Promote School Accountability, Remedial Study Programs And Tutoring)

• AB 338# (Bill Making Numerous Changes To Laws Affecting Insurance)

• AB 385# (Bill To Promote Energy Efficient Construction And "Green Building" Practices, And Regulating Photovoltaic Practitioners)

• AB 403# (Bill To Make Old High School Proficiency Exams Public, And Appropriating $346,000 To Replace Math And Reading Portions)

• AB 498# (Bill Extending Life Of Legislative Committee For Local Government Taxes And Finance From 2005 To 2011)

• AB 525# (Bill To Appropriate $25 Million For Innovative Educational Programs)

• SB 71* (Bill Eliminating Requirement That Interim Retirements And Benefits Committee Approve Salaries Of PERS Executives)

• SB 78* (Bill Granting Permanent Authority To University Of Nevada Regents To Grant Waivers For Registration And Laboratory Fees To Active Nevada Guard Members)

• SB 112* (Bill Allowing State Controller To Impose Returned Check Fee)

• SB 133* (Bill Regulating Refunds And Bonds For Postsecondary Educational Institutions)

• SB 134* (Bill To Regulate Communication Access Realtime Translation [CART] Services)

• SB 146* (Bill Requiring Underground Installations To Have A Permanent Uniform Device To Detect The Installation From The Surface)

• SB 152* (Bill Eliminating American Physical Therapy Association Standards For Licensing Physical Therapists And Imposing New Fees, Fines And Penalties)

• SB 173* (Bill To Increase Homestead Exemption To $400,000 And Increase Exemptions For Various Types Of Personal Property)

• SB 174* (Bill Making Various Changes To Chiropractic Laws)

• SB 175* (Bill Allowing Accident Reports To Be Kept Secret From Victims If The Accident Involved A Death, A Hit And Run, Or A Felony)

• SB 201 (Bill To Revise Articles 1 And 7 Of The Uniform Commercial Code [UCC])

• SB 218* (Bill To Prevent Counties From Imposing License Taxes And Fees On "Professionals")

• SB 219* (Bill Requiring State Transportation Department And Local Governments To Permit Operation Of Up To 120 Foot Long Vehicles On Streets, Highways And Roads, With Few Exceptions)

• SB 225#* (Bill Regulating Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors And Vocational Rehabilitation Services Providers)

• SB 226* (Bill To Chisel Workmen's Compensation Claimants)

• SB 229#* (Bill Giving Tax Breaks To Subsidize Southern Nevada Grocery Stores And Businesses In Other Selected Areas)

• SB 255* (Bill To Create Another Exception To State Financial Regulation Of Banks)

• SB 269#* (Bill To Improve Enforcement Of Handicap Parking Laws, And Give The Police The Proceeds Of  Citation-Based Fines)

• SB 276#* (88-Page Bill To Impose Uniform Requirements On State Agencies Granting Occupational Licenses)

• SB 295# (Bill Providing Civil Penalties For Persons Who Make False Representations Concerning Motor Vehicle Fuels)

• SB 315#* (Bill To Impose Additional Bureaucracy And Bureaucrats On Business Brokers)

• SB 318#* (Bill To Create Special Funding Account For State Parks)

• SB 353#* (Bill To Regulate Guardianships And Guardians)

• SB 354#* (Bill Providing For Increased Fees, Charges And Perpetual Liens For City Solid Waste Management Systems)

• SB 367#* (Bill Allowing Expelled Students To Take Classes Elsewhere)

• SB 381#* (Bill To Regulate Manufactured Homes, Motor Homes, And Commercial Coaches)

(# No Counsel Digest of Bill to guide the Legislators or public.)

(* Previously passed by State Senate; if Gov. Guinn signs it, it becomes law.  In some cases, the versions passed by the Assembly and Senate differ.  In those cases, the Legislature must agree on the text before the bill is presented for the Governor's signature.)

_____

Senate

"We pray today for the work of the Senate."

Senate Passes 21 Bills, 20 By Unanimous Vote; Transmits Them To State Assembly

• SB 56 (Bill Making Numerous Changes To Charter School System And Requiring Criminal Background Checks Of Their Employees)

• SB 156 (Bill Encouraging University Regents To Establish A Program Of Agronomy, Horticulture, Landscape Ecology And Plant Sciences At The University Of Nevada-Reno)

• SB 310# (Bill To Mandate Additional Penalties For Motorists Who Injure Pedestrians)

• SB 461# (Bill To Create University Schools For The "Profoundly Gifted")

• SB 510# (Bill Appropriating $673,900 To The State Public Works Board To Pay For Arbitration Expenses Associated With The Construction Of The Southern Nevada Veterans' Home)

• SB 511# (Bill Appropriating $436,000 To Pay Signing Bonuses For Teachers)

• AB 15* (Bill To Expand Spending Purposes For Wildlife Heritage Trust Account To Include Predatory Animal Control)

• AB 51* (Bill To Permit Enforceable Post-Adoptive Contact Agreements)

• AB 59* (Bill To Require Reports Of Facility-Acquired Infections To The State Health Division)

• AB 83* (Bill Clarifying And Changing Rates Of Overtime Compensation Paid On Public Works Projects)

• AB 114* (Bill Exempting Real Estate Dealers From Licensing Requirements For Sales Of Used Motor And Manufactured Homes; And Increasing Amount Recoverable From Real Estate Education, Research And Recovery Fund To $100,000)

• AB 145* (Bill Revising Property Tax Exemption For Disabled Veterans)

• AB 156* (Bill Requiring "Design Professionals To Carry "Hold-Harmless" Insurance Protecting Public Bodies, Or Pay For Their Costs Defending Malpractice Lawsuits)

• AB 215* (Bill To Expand Loopholes In Required Financial Disclosures By Sellers Of Real Property, Except Pursuant To A Foreclosure)

• AB 232* (Bill Changing State Law To Conform To Provisions Of Federal Law Enforcement Officer Safety Act; Allows Retired Law Enforcement Officers To Carry Concealed Weapons)

• AB 259* (Bill Changing Requirements For Administrative Files Of Police Officers, And Providing Additional Protection In Disciplinary Hearings)

• AB 323*  (Bill To Audit And Investigate Rate Setting Practices Of Truckee Meadows Water Authority By Bureau Of Consumer Protection)

• AB 379#* (Bill Allowing Surrogate Applications For Hunting Tags With Power of Attorney)

• AB 404#* (Bill Revising Landlord-Tenant Provisions For Operations With 4 Or Less Dwelling Units)

• AB 407#* (Bill Requiring Judicial Procedure To Determine Who Owns Livestock Seized By The Government)

• AB 421#* (Bill To Turn Persons Convicted Of A Felony DUI Into A Permanent Criminal Class)

(# No Counsel Digest of Bill to guide the Legislators or public.)

(* Previously passed by State Assembly; if Gov. Guinn signs it, it becomes law)

__________

From The Office Of The Attorney General

Domestic Violence Prevention Council Looking For New Members

Announcement

__________

From The US Congress

House Of Representatives Passes Bill For Interim Storage Of Nuclear Waste; Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project Fully Funded With $661 Million

Press Release (House Committee On Appropriations) 

__________

From Nye County

Catching The Rays And Mining The Wind

Beatty could go from mining gold to wind: Area Near Barrick Bullfrog Mine Could Be Used As Wind, Solar Energy "Farm" Operation (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

From Lyon County

The Controversial Cleanup Of Yerington's Anaconda Mine

The Paiute Mining Disaster (E/The Environmental Magazine article)

__________

From The US Census Bureau

 National Voting And Voter Registration Behavior Report Released For 2004 Elections

Press Release

Detailed Tables

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

Informant describes plan to bribe city councilmen

Defense hammers at informant's testimony

Informant continues 'no-touch' testimony in councilmen's trial

____________________

May 27, 2005

_____

From The Legislature

 Slide Into The Usual Chaos Begins In Both Houses With Scores Of Last-Minute Amendments

The Joint Standing Rules Have A Deadline For Everything Else -- But Not Changes Too Important To Be Dealt With Promptly

_____

Assembly Passes 37 Bills; Transmits Them To State Senate

• AB 209 (Bill To Teach English To Pre-Kindergarten Kids)

• AB 310# (Bill Establishing A Statewide Network For Non-Emergency Information Regarding Health, Welfare And Human And Social Services

• AB 413# (Bill Appropriating $100,000 For Weed Control)

• AB 514# (Bill Authorizing Education Department To Provide Grants For Alternative Settings For Disruptive Students, If There's Any Money For Them)

• SB 29 (Bill Requiring Insurance Companies To Cover Payments For Various Treatments For Cancer In Its Early Stages)

• SB 83 (Bill Requiring Notice to Subject And Opportunity To Be Heard In Employee Conduct Cases Held By Public Bodies)

• SB 122 (Bill Allowing Veterans To Purchase Additional PERS Benefit Years)

• SB 150 ("You Better Be Right":  Bill To Criminalize "False Or Fraudulent Complaints" Against Any  Government Employee) (see TNO Article "The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly")

• SB 163 (Bill To Tighten Open Meeting Law Requirements For State And Local Regulatory Bodies)

• SB 170 (Bill Authorizing All Counties Except Clark And Washoe To Impose Additional Sales And Use Taxes)

• SB 263# (Bill To Adopt Uniform Environmental Covenants Act)

• SB 287 (Bill To Criminalize Parents Who Leave Unattended Children In Cars)

• SB 290# (Bill Removing Restrictions On Las Vegas Centennial License Plates)

• SB 307# (Bill To Require Counties To Assess Small Unscheduled Air Cargo And Transport Services For Tax Purposes)

• SB 321# (Bill Requiring Department Of Taxation To Administer Tax Exemptions Of Non-Profit Groups)

• SB 326 (Bill To Restrict Government Powers Of Eminent Domain)

• SB 335# (Bill Adjusting The Amount, Length And Thickness Of Red Tape Used To Regulate The Practice Of Cutting Hair)

• SB 338# (43-Page Bill Making Numerous Changes To Laws Regarding Business Associations)

• SB 368# (Bill To Promote The Professional Development Of Teachers And School Administrators)

• SB 384# (Bill Expanding The Number Of Employees With Peace Officer Powers In The Nevada Highway Patrol To Include Anyone Who Is Responsible For Enforcing A Law And Their Supervisors, Whether Trained Or Not)

• SB 389# (Bill Creating Municipal "Tax Increment Areas" To Impose Additional Level Of Taxation And Bureaucracy On Property Owners)

• SB 398# (Bill To Delay Expiration Of Exemption From School Support And Similar Taxes For Renewable Energy Resources)

• SB 401# (Bill Requiring The Department Of Human Resources To Set Up Contracts With Common Motor Carriers To Transport Medicare Patients)

• SB 410# (Bill Exempting State Universities And Community Colleges From Purchasing Prescription Drugs And Medical Supplies Through The State Department Of Administration)

• SB 411# (24-Page Bill Making Diverse Changes To Laws Regulating Local Improvements And Assessments For Them)

• SB 415# (Bill Authorizing Secret Meetings Of "Public Bodies" To Prepare, Administer And Grade Examinations)

• SB 421# (Bill Requiring All Public Bodies To Keep Audio Recordings Or Transcripts Of Their Meetings)

• SB 432# (Bill Exempting Life Insurance Benefits From Execution By Creditors)

• SB 444# (Bill Granting The Gaming Control Board Chairman Absolute And Unfettered Discretion To Allow Gaming Establishments To Charge Admission Fees)

• SB 445# (Bill Liberalizing Provisions For Restoration Of Civil Rights To Felons)

• SB 450# (Bill Increasing Powers Of Court Protective Orders In Stalking Cases)

• SB 452 (Bill Concentrating Powers Of Department Of Public Safety Over Criminal Records Information)

• SB 453# (44-Page Bill To Make "Various Changes Concerning  Business Entities")

• SB 460# (Bill Revising Provisions On Teacher-Pupil Ratios, And Providing Exceptions To Requirements)

• SB 481 (Bill To Give The Civil Air Patrol A Lot Of Money And Eliminate Restrictions On Spending It)

• SB 488 (Bill Requiring Local Governments To Conduct Hearings And Prepare "Business Impact Statements" Before Adopting Laws And Regulations Affecting Businesses -- But Not The Public)

• SB 489# (Bill Prohibiting The Subleasing Of Certain Vehicles; Turning Some Deceptive Trade Practices Into Felonies; And Expanding The Right Of Injured Consumers To Sue)

(# No Counsel Digest of Bill to guide the Legislators or public.)

(* Previously passed by State Senate; if Gov. Guinn signs it, it becomes law)

(@ Versions passed by the Assembly and Senate differ.  The Legislature must agree on the text before the bill is presented for the Governor's signature.)

_____

Assembly

A Classic Last-Minute Pork Amendment

Late Change To Subsidize Golf Course Operators -- SB 394 Amended By Assembly To Cut Taxes Without Mentioning Expensive Green Fees

Assembly Daily Journal - Day 109 (See pages 70-75)

_____

Senate

Senate Passes 27 Bills And A Resolution; Transmits Them To State Assembly

• SB 512 (Bill Making A $23.5 Million Supplemental Appropriation To State Department Of Human Resources For Medicaid And Check-Up Programs)

• SB 514 (Bill Creating Bureau For Hospital Patients And Charging Hospitals To Pay For It)

• AB 63@ (Bill To Prevent Insurance Companies From Dishonoring Claims Resulting From Alcohol Or Drug Use By Insured Person)

• AB 125* (Bill Requiring PUC Approval Of Subdivision Water And Sewer Systems)

• AB 143@ (Bill Reforming Government Use Of Eminent Domain To Seize Private Property And Tightening Up Definition Of "Blighted Areas")

• AB 158* (Bill To Notify State Employees That The State Accessed Their State-Furnished Computer, Unless They're Being Investigated Or The Access Was For Routine Maintenance)

• AB 186@ (Bill Authorizing Additional  Industrial Insurance Compensation Payments For Permanently And Totally  Disabled Workmen Injured Before Cost-Of-Living-Increase Law Took Effect in 2004)

• AB 190@ (Bill For New Anti-Peeping Laws, Except For Police)

• AB 202* (Bill For Uniform State School Anti-Harassment And Anti-Intimidation Procedures)

• AB 248#* (Bill Requiring 50 Percent Of Tobacco Payments Be Placed In Fund For Healthy Nevada And Providing For Assisted Living Facilities For Senior Citizens)

• AB 340#@ (Bill Requiring Payday And Tax Refund Lenders To Have A Special License, And Subjecting Them To Zoning Requirements)

• AB 343#@ (Bill To Promote Safety And Cut Back On Sleazy, Unsafe And Exploitive Practices At Mobile Home Parks)

• AB 426#* (Bill Appropriating $5,000 [Wow!] For Unexpected Litigation Expenses By The Attorney General's Office And Requiring That It Be Kept In A Special Account)

• AB 427#@ (Bill Changing Provisions For Licensed Dealers, Manufacturers And Servicemen In The Mobile Home, Manufactured Home Or Motor Coach Business)

• AB 437#@ (Bill Tightening Controls Over Manufactured Home Park Operators)

• AB 454#@ (Bill Regulating Home Services Provided To Mentally Retarded Persons)

• AB 458#@ (Bill Authorizing Issue Of $16.8 Million In General Improvement Bonds For Lake Tahoe Environmental Improvement Program)

• AB 471#* (Bill Allowing Gaming Control Board To Regulate Use Of Mobile Communication Devices In Casinos)

• AB 475#* (Bill Reducing Required Notices Given By General Improvement Districts And Allowing Trustees To Grant Themselves Hefty Pay Increases)

• AB 477#* (Bill Allowing Public Officers To Appoint Deputies For Tasks Unrelated To Official Business)

• AB 483#* (Bill To Change The Timing Of Mediation And Requiring Arbitration Of Non-Mediated Disputes Between Local Governments And Public Employees Unions)

• AB 509#* (Bill Making It Easier For The City Of North Las Vegas To Pass Ordinances)

• AB 510#* (Bill Redefining "Publications" And Requiring County And Local Governments To Provide Copies Of E-Documents To The State Library And Archives)

• AB 519#* (Bill To Permit State Department Of Agriculture To Revoke Marijuana Registry ID Cards If Recipient Provides False Information Or Sells Drugs)

• AB 528#@ (Bill Expanding Crime Of Threats Against A Public Officer)

• AB 531#@ (Bill Providing Penalty Enhancements If First Responders Are Injured During Discovery Or Cleanup Of Illegal Drug Labs)

• AB 542#* (Bill For Discretionary Tenure Pay Increases To Legislative Employees, As The Secretary Of The Senate Or Chief Clerk Of The Assembly Sees Fit)

• AJR 11* (From 72nd Session -- Bill To Reduce The Number of Elected University Of Nevada Regents To 3 And Let The Governor Appoint 6)

(# No Counsel Digest of Bill to guide the Legislators or public.)

(* Previously passed by State Assembly; if Gov. Guinn signs it, it becomes law)

(@ Versions passed by the Assembly and Senate differ.  The Legislature must agree on the text before the bill is presented for the Governor's signature.)

_____

Assembly Resolution First Passes; Then Fails When Sen. Nolan Changes His Vote

AJR 6 (Resolution Urging Congress To Amend Medicare Prescription Drug Act To Provide Affordable, Easily Understood Coverage For Prescription Drug Benefits)

Senate Daily Journal - Day 109 (See pages 50-52)

_____

Senate Debate On Minimum Wage Bill Amendment

Senate Daily Journal - Day 109 (See page 11)

__________

From The US Congress

Sen. Ensign Co-Sponsors Bill To End Federal Payments For "Lifestyle Drugs"; Would Stop Medicare And Medicaid Payments For Viagra, Other Products

Press Release (Sen. Ensign)

_____

New House Appropriations Bill Has $199 Million For Southern Nevada Veterans' Facility

Press Release (Rep. Gibbons)

__________

From The Nevada Supreme Court

Judgment Of Guilt In Traffic Offense Not Conclusive Proof Of Civil Liability

Langon v. Matamoros

_____

Late Filing Precludes Workmen's Compensation Claim

Seino v. Employers Insurance Company Of Nevada

_____

Expert Testimony On Causation In  Malpractice Case Must Be Reasonably Probable

Morsicato v. Sav-On Drug Stores, Inc.

_____

 Court-Ordered Mid-Trial Removal Of Juror In Criminal Case Upheld

Viray v. State

_____

Court Strongly Prefers Challenges To Potential Jurors Be Made Outside Their Presence

Foster v. State

_____

On-the-Job Injury Not Enough For Workers' Compensation Case Coverage; Claimants Must Show Workplace Environment Caused It

Mitchell v. Clark County School District

_____

Court Clarifies Rules On Custodial Interrogation, Prior Bad Act Evidence

Rosky v. State

_____

Court Upholds Using Electric Stun Belts On Defendants In Court, Sets Future Standards

Hymon v. State

__________

From The US Department Of The Interior

Federal Firefighting Agencies Announce  Readiness For 2005 Fire Season: Planes Thoroughly Checked For Metal Fatigue Following Last Year's Spectacular Air Tanker Crashes

Press Release 

__________

May 28, 2005

_____

From The Legislature

Beat The Clock: Legislature Works Overtime To Pass As Many Bills As Possible Before Friday Deadline (May 27th - Second House Passage, Or The Bill Dies)

"Undigested" Bills And Multiple Last-Minute Amendments Turn Proceedings Into A Cavalcade Of Avoidable Mistakes, Treats For Special Interests At Public Expense

_____

Senate

The Senate Daily Journal - Day 110 for Friday, May 27, 2005 has not been posted on the Legislative website yet.  TNO will update when this journal appears.

_____

Assembly

Assembly Passes 89 Bills In Marathon Session Lasting Until Past 2 In The Morning; Transmits Them To State Senate

• SB 17@ (Bill Requiring Review Of Administrative Regulations By Legislative Counsel Bureau)

• SB 18* (Bill To Grant Money To Owners Of Wells Which Produce Foul Water)

• SB 20@ (Bill To Add 1 More Member [From Mesquite] To The Clark County Convention And Visitors Authority)

• SB 22* (Bill Appropriating $52,000 To Create And Fund Interagency Advisory Board On Transition Services For Disabled People)

• SB 32@ (Bill Requiring A Years' Residence For Students To Get Free Tuition, And 6 Months To Get Loans From The State University And Community College System)

• SB 37@ (Bill Requiring Background Checks Of Pharmaceutical Wholesalers And Nearly Anyone Who Associates With Them)

• SB 41@ (Bill Revising Dollar Threshold For First And Second Liens)

• SB 44* (Bill Revising Provisions For Organizations Which Buy And Sell Goods And Services At A Discount)

• SB 45@ (Bill Dropping Requirement That Attorney General And State Controller Get Copies Of Excessive Tax Assessment Complaints)

• SB 46* (Bill Increasing Maximum Assumed Salaries For Volunteer Firemen Into PERS Account)

• SB 52* (Bill To Increase County Bureaucracies And The Fines They Impose)

• SB 62@ (Retroactive Bill Delineating Responsibilities of State Engineer's Office Concerning Contested Water Claims)

• SB 64@ (Bill Permitting Conveyances Of Land As Sole And Separate Property, Rather Than Community Property)

• SB 67* (Bill To Hinder Collection Of Debts Owed By Local Government Experiencing "Severe Financial Emergency")

• SB 80@ (Bill Permitting Consumer To Put A "Security Freeze" On Their Credit Reports To Prohibit Release Of Information)

• SB 82* (Revising Comstock Historic District Commission)

• SB 87* (Bill Eliminating Extra Fee Charged By DMV For Mail Renewals Of Drivers' Licenses)

• SB 110* (Bill Renaming Washoe County Airport Authority To "Reno-Tahoe Airport Authority" And Broadening Exemptions For Contracts Requiring Public Bidding)

• SB 120@ (Bill Transferring Clark County Trauma Treatment Program Responsibilities From State To County)

• SB 126@ (Bill Requiring Governor's Office To Employ At Least Two Persons With Industrial Insurance Experience)

• SB 153@ (Bill Allowing Common-Interest Associations To Subsidize Mismanagement)

• SB 155@ (Bill Requiring Hospitals To Tell Patients About State Bureau For Hospital Patients)

• SB 172@ (Bill Changing Laws Governing Foreclosure Sales Of Real Property)

• SB 181@ (Bill To Allow Counties To Impose Additional Tax Increases On Motor Fuels With Voter Approval; And Providing Sundown Provisions For Such Laws In All Counties Except Clark And Washoe)

• SB 189@ (Bill To Protect Motor Vehicle Dealerships From Manufacturers And Distributors)

• SB 194* (Bill To Expand Control Of Nevada Commission Of Homeland Security Over State And Local Purchases Of Communications Systems)

• SB 198@ (Bill To Revise Articles 3 And 4 Of The Uniform Commercial Code [UCC])

• SB 212@ (Bill Prohibiting Public School Classes From Starting Earlier Than 7:35 AM)

• SB 214@ (Bill Creating Commission To Track Quality Of Education In Public Schools)

• SB 221@ (Bill Allowing Home-Schooled Children To Participate In Interscholastic Activities And Events)

• SB 224#@ (Bill Making It Easier To Void Public Ballot Initiatives And Referendums)

• SB 233@ (Bill Permitting Grocery Stores And Instructional Wine-Making Facilities To Serve Samples)

• SB 234#@ (Bill To Require Candidates For Supreme Court Justice, District Judge Or Justice Of The Peace To Have Practiced Law In Nevada For 5 Years, Except For Incumbents)

• SB 235#@ (Bill Providing For The Dissolution Of Hospital Districts In Any County Except Clark County)

• SB 238@ (Bill Allowing Utilities Companies To Avoid Public Utilities Commission Notice And Hearing Provisions For Many Rate Increases)

• SB 245#@ (Bill To Prohibit Commercial Drivers From Driving More Than 15 Hours A Day, Or 70 Hours A Week, With Many Exceptions)

• SB 251* (Bill Allowing Exemptions To Front License Plate Requirement On Motor Vehicles)

• SB 252@ (Bill To Change Date Of Municipal Elections In Clark County)

• SB 256@ (Bill Further Limiting Public Input On Utility Company Rate Increases)

• SB 262#@ (Bill To Protect And Compensate Owners Of Outdoor Signs Blocked By Construction Of Noise Barrier Walls)

• SB 267#@ (Bill Immunizing Defamatory Statements At Proceedings Held Under Open Meeting Law, And Allowing Closed Sessions To Consider Matters Involving Character, Misconduct Allegations Or Professional Competence)

• SB 280#* (Bill Allowing Certain Entities To Assist In Warrantless Involuntary Transportation Of Persons Suspected Of Being Mentally Ill To A Psycho Ward)

• SB 281#* (Bill Requiring The Division Of Health Care Financing And Policy To Study Uncompensated Care Percentages in Clark And Washoe County Hospitals)

• SB 293#@ (Bill Authorizing Money Collected For Pesticide Registration To Be Used To Control Noxious Weeds)

• SB 296#@ (Bill To Enlarge Secret Database Of  "Central Registry For The Collection Of Information Concerning The Abuse Or Neglect Of A Child")

• SB 300#@ (Bill To Reduce Control Over Unsatisfactory Contractors)

• SB 302#@ (Bill To Eliminate Power Of County Commissions To Supervise The Acquisition, Purchase, Leasing, Selling Or Disposition Of County Property By County Fair And Recreation Boards)

• SB 325#@ (84-Page Bill Imposing Various Bureaucrats And Bureaucratic Requirements On Common-Interest Communities)

• SB 328#@ (Bill Making Minor Adjustments To State Public Employees Retirement System [PERS])

• SB 332#@ (Bill Tightening State Controls Over Real Estate Brokers)

• SB 333#@ (Bill Making Various Changes In The State Regulation Of Cosmetologists And Cosmetology Schools)

• SB 339#@ (Bill Modifying Provisions Allowing Tax Abatements For New Or Expanded Businesses)

• SB 343#@ (36-Page Bill Making Numerous Changes To Requirements For Mechanics' And Materialmen's Liens)

• SB 346#* (Bill Adjusting The Legislators' Retirement System)

• SB 347#@ (Bill Imposing Heavier Penalties For Identity Theft Offenses)

• SB 356#@ (Changing Sales Tax Calculation For Sales Of Motor Vehicles Where Another Motor Vehicle Is Used As A Trade-In)

• SB 358#@ (Bill Limiting Value-Added Taxes By Local Governments On Common-Interest Communities)

• SB 365#@ (Bill Requiring State Emergency Response Commission To Establish Statewide Mapping System For Public Buildings If They Have Enough Money To Do It)

• SB 386#@ (89-Page Bill Making Numerous Changes To Election, Voting And Financial Disclosure Laws)

• SB 394#@ (32-Page Bill Making Extensive Changes In Assessment, Evaluation And Exemptions Of Taxable Property By Local Governments, And In The Collection Of Taxes)

• SB 396#@ ("No Tire Left Behind": Bill Imposing Supervision By State Environmental Commission Over Solid Waste Management Operations And Criminalizing Persons Who Try To Get Rid Of Old Car Batteries, Tires And Motor Oil Without Using An Approved Facility)

• SB 397#@ (Bill To Allow Department Of Wildlife To Set Up Roadblocks And Check Stations, Regulating The Use Of Guides, And Making Other Changes)

• SB 422#@ (Bill Allowing Local Governments To Impose Certification Requirements On Hotel, Motel And Apartment Managers, And Prohibiting Multiple Licensing And Tax Requirements On Contractors)

• SB 426#@ (24-Page Bill Making Many Changes To Public Works Project Laws)

• SB 428#* (Bill To Impose Standing Requirements In Administrative Licensing Hearings)

• SB 431#@ (68-Page Bill Making Substantial Changes To Regulation Of Financial Institutions And Related Businesses)

• SB 434@ (Bill Eliminating Performance And Payment Bonds For Pool And Spa Contractors)

• SB 438#@ (Bill Authorizing Justices Of The Peace And Municipal Court Judges To Participate In State Judicial Retirement System)

• SB 457#@ (Bill To Permit Swaps Of Liquor Between Retail Liquor Stores)

• SB 458#@ (Bill Requiring Hospitals To Provide Timely Emergency Care And To Study Hospital Emergency Room Procedures)

• SB 466#@ (Bill Restricting Power Of Local Governments To Convey Or Sell Water Rights Without A Public Hearing And Written Findings)

• SB 467#@ (32-Page Bill Changing Public Works Contract Laws)

• SB 477#@ (Bill Transferring Powers Of State Legislative Commission To Director Of Legislative Counsel Bureau)

• SB 509#@ (Bill Which "Revises provisions governing property taxes")

• AB 36 (Bill Allowing For Medicaid Benefits For Some Foster Children Between The Ages Of 18-21)

• AB 53 (Bill To Create New "Minority Health" Bureaucracy)

• AB 109 (Bill Appropriating $21.3 Million For Education And Professional Development Of Educational Personnel)

• AB 172 (Bill Appropriating $300,000 For The UNLV Women's Research Institute For No Specified Purpose)

• AB 175 (Bill Appropriating $8.8 Million For Mental Health Services)

• AB 189 (Bill To Prohibit Housing Discrimination Based On Sexual Orientation Or "Familial Status")

• AB 222 (Bill To Change Audit Requirements For School Districts From Every Year To Every Now And Then, If The Legislature Appropriates The Money)

• AB 274 (Bill Which "Makes various changes concerning sex offenders and offenders convicted of crimes against children")

• AB 289 (Bill Requiring Historic Preservation Administrator To Establish Program To Protect Cultural Resources)

• AB 321 (Bill Which "Provides for Nevada Report to Taxpayers on status of state finances")

• AB 376 (Bill Creating The Patriot Relief Account To Provide Benefits For Members Of The Nevada National Guard Who Are Called To Active Duty)

• AB 388# (Bill To Shuffle Names In Vocational Training Bureaucracy)

• AB 411# (Bill To Require Safety Restraints On School Buses)

• AB 524# (Bill Increasing Health Bureaucracy And Setting Aside Up To 30 Percent Of The Fund For A Healthy Nevada To Subsidize Prescription Drug Purchases)

• AB 560# (Bill Appropriating $35 Million For The Millennium Scholarship Fund)

(# No Counsel Digest of Bill to guide the Legislators or public.)

(* Previously passed by State Senate; if Gov. Guinn signs it, it becomes law)

(@ Versions passed by the Assembly and Senate differ.  The Legislature must agree on the text before the bill is presented for the Governor's signature.)

_____

Assembly Bill Fails On First Floor Vote; Resurrected And Passed As 5 Legislators Change Their Minds

Assembly Daily Journal - Day 110 (See pages 166-168)

_____

One Bill Actually Fails To Pass; SB 115 Defeated In 17-24 Floor Vote

SB 115 (Bill Allowing Local Governments To Hold Closed Meetings, With Secret Records, Relating to "Security" And "Terrorism," With No Provisions To Prevent Abuse)

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

More wiretaps played for jurors: FBI informant wraps up nearly 8 days of testimony

"Dude, what you gotta do is you have to stop that, because they're talking over the phone and that means someone could be picking up on the conversation."

Defense finishes with informant: Cross-examination brings out some odd revelations

____________________

May 29, 2005

_____

From The Citizenry

Organized Opposition To Proposed Gerlach Power Plant Increases After BLM Environmental Meeting

Rather Unsatisfactory: Opponents Not Allowed To Speak At Public "Hearing"

BLM: "We've always done it this way. It works well for us."

Nevada Clean Energy Coalition

• Sempra Coal Plant

• Health Risks

• Environment Damage

• Clean Energy Alternatives

• News Stories

• Say No To The Sempra Coal-Fired Plant

__________

From The Legislature

Reported Monthly Expenditures by Lobbyists on Legislators

Lobbyist Expenditure Reports By Lobbyist

Senate

The Senate Daily Journal - Day 110 for Friday, May 27, 2005 has still not been posted on the Legislative website.  TNO will update on Friday's senatorial proceedings when this journal appears.

____________________

May 30, 2005

_____

From The Office Of The Governor

Gov. Guinn Announces IRS Ruling On His Tax Rebate Plan This Morning -- Vehicle Registration Rebate Not Taxable Income

Great News For Owners Of Corporate Vehicle Fleets And New, Expensive Cars And Trucks

Press Release

__________

From The US Department Of The Interior

BLM Main Website Finally Re-Opens: Had Been Offline For Seven Weeks -- BLM's Nevada Website Still Down

• Implementation Of Wild Horse And Burro Authority As Directed By Congress

• BLM Releases New Right-Of-Way Regulations

• BLM Updates Land Use Planning Handbook: Incorporates policy and guidance developed over past four years

BLM Main Website

BLM Nevada Website

__________

Latest On Yucca Mountain Nuclear Dump Project

It's Not Dead Yet

Statements Before The US Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works, Subcommittee on Clean Air, Climate Change, and Nuclear Safety -- Oversight Of Nuclear Regulatory Commission

• Statement of Nils J. Diaz, Chairman U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission

• Statement of Jim Wells, Director, Natural Resources and the Environment Government Accountability Office (For Yucca, see pages 22, 24)

• Statement of Marilyn C. Kray, President, NuStart Energy Development (See page 4)

• Statement of Edwin Lyman, Senior Staff Scientist, Global Security Program, Union of Concerned Scientists (General statement on Terrorism and the US Nuclear Program)

__________

From White Pine County

Local Government Staggers Under Load Of Debt, Rising Costs

From The Ely Times:

Message From The County Commission And County Comptroller: "The Cash Deficit became critical after the closing of the books for March on 4-6-05."

A memo from John Chachas and Lester Kerr

County may cut its non-mandated services

DA says county needs water law attorney to fight SNWA

__________

From Nye County

Conservative Revenue Projections May Save Local Government From Lay-offs

From The Pahrump Valley Times:

CRISIS AVERTED: Nye sales tax revenues spike

__________

From Clark County

Problems With New Property Tax Increase Cap Already Appearing

From The Las Vegas Business Press:

Property tax question is still brewing

_____

Coming To A Station Near You: Neighborhood Casinos Now Big Business In Las Vegas

From Gaming Today:

Casino Expansion: Operators to expand ‘locals’ casinos

__________

From Lyon County

Mexican Drug Traffickers Suspected In Motorola Radio Thefts At Silver Springs, Fernley And Dayton; Additional Thefts Reported At Reno, Mound House

From The Mason Valley News

Radios stolen from Lyon school buses

__________

A Tale Of Two Cities

Latest In San Diego-Las Vegas Political Corruption Case

San Diego Union-Tribune Coverage

"Who wants to go, and have a lap dance when they're, when they're standing in front of you and they don't get to touch you?"

Tapes providing unintended comic relief

____________________