April 1, 2007

[6:58 PM]

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For our readers -- The new issue of TNO is up and ready for reading.  It's the largest issue in over two years -- check the middle column for the stories and articles that make The Nevada Observer the top e-news magazine in the State.  We hope you enjoy it!

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Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Overviews

Legislative Roundup (Nevada Observer article)

And A Happy April Fool's Day To You: This Isn't Just Directed At The Legislature (Bob Bennett column, The Nevada Observer)

Nevada Highways

Freeways With Stop Lights

"One of the main components NDOT is hoping to utilize is access management, limiting the number and location of access points to the highway to improve safety and traffic flow."

Future of Highway 50 East could bring traffic signals, more limited access (Nevada Appeal article)

Retro-Government Toll Road Proposals: An Abdication Of Basic Responsibilities To Nevada

"We believe transportation is too critical to be trusted to a profit-driven private company that could take shortcuts, go bankrupt or undergo a merger or a takeover, all of which could create nightmares for motorists."

A toll, toll world? Momentum for private toll roads is building, but is this what we really need or want? (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

The Reasons For So Many Planning Failures

As With Education And Health, Highways Neglected By State: Whether Procrastination Or Lack Of Foresight, It'll Cost All Of Us (Nevada Observer article)

Pedestrian Safety

Erik Holland, Fool-Proof Crosswalks [click on image to enlarge, click here for more Erik Holland cartoons]

"Pedestrian overpasses on the Strip."

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: An easy planning fix for UNLV project (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

A reminder of one of our greatest threats (Nevada Appeal article)

The Right To Keep And Bear Arms

VIN SUPRYNOWICZ: 'Books don't kill people -- guns do' (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

"Within living memory, Southern Nevada high schools had rifle ranges and competitive shooting teams. Kids brought their .22s to school and no one thought much about it."

Protecting schools: A bill to uphold constitutional right, prevent a bloodbath (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Show-ID Voting: A Bad Idea

"Voters are issued voter cards when they register, and that is all the identification that poll workers should need to see. Denying people their rights to vote or forcing them to obtain - and pay for - an additional type of identification for which they have no other use is unfair. Voting is a right of every U.S. citizen of legal age, and being able to afford a passport or pass a driver's test is not a requirement."

Identifying a bad bill: Legislative panel approves measure that burdens voters with unfair ID requirements (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

The Governor Of Nevada

The State Budget

Governor Calls For Budget Reduction By Agencies: Economic Projections Lower Than Anticipated (Nevada Observer article)

Short-Sighted Policies Are Always Calamitous In The Long Run

"If you can't trust the governor's chief of staff to be informed and give you the straight stuff, who can you trust? Hold that thought."

JOHN L. SMITH: Governor's chief of staff has joined us so we won't feel alone in dark (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

The eTreppid "Scandal"

Is It Asking Too Much For Proof Of Wrongdoing In These Slime Stories?

Gibbons goes for the best when hiring his lawyer: Defense attorney wields top reputation in D.C. (Las Vegas Sun article)

FBI, Bogden, Gibbons, National Security Issues: FBI Challenged In Congress, In Federal Court In Reno (Nevada Observer article)

State Economy

February Unemployment Figures Show Positive Fluctuation: Still In Midwinter Doldrums With Construction Problems (Nevada Observer article)

E-Commerce

"Thinking-outside-the-box theories will be confined to just that for the Business Expo today at Harrah's Lake Tahoe when an entire line-up of high tech outfits show off how to market your company with a computer."

Expo integrates Web to market local companies (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Regional Economy

What Do You Do When You're Branded?

New Business Subject Of Economic Group Luncheon: Manufacturing, Employees, Lifestyle To Be Included In "Branding" (Nevada Observer article)

Local Government

Clark County

The People's Money

"On Wednesday, city taxpayers saw more of their hard-earned wealth go flying out the treasury in the form of a lawsuit settlement. Three homeless men accepted $10,000 each because city marshals arrested and jailed them four months ago under an ordinance that didn't exist."

Lawsuit settlements (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Douglas County

The Law And The Profits

"An ordinance that would place controls on Douglas County's growth will go before Douglas County commissioners on Thursday."

Commission to debate growth rule on Thursday (Gardnerville Record-Courier)

Elko County

Child Abuse

"The abuse and neglect of at least 425 boys and girls in Elko County in 2006 motivated a campaign organized by Family Resource Center.

Preventing child abuse, one pinwheel at a time (Elko Free Press article)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

Up in smoke, conveniently: Meth users find new and inventive ways to use drug (Elko Free Press article)

Elko Chamber Of Commerce Turns 100

Centennial celebrations on tap for chamber (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Tahoe Regional Planning Commission

"It took the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency board seven hours Wednesday to reach an impasse on the Villas at Harborside timeshare project proposed for Homewood."

After hours of deliberation TRPA's Villas at Harborside decision delayed (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Incline Village General Improvement District

Incline residents get Pathway 2007 preview (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Town hall-style meeting gets residents ready for 'action' (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Lyon County

Troubled Silver Springs General Improvement District

"The Lyon County Commissioners will once again consider dissolving the Silver Springs General Improvement District and taking over control of the district."

Lyon County considers takeover of Silver Springs GID (Nevada Appeal article)

White Pine County

White Pine Railroad Changes Of Ownership Good For Ely: SNWA Wants In, Council Says No To Water Moloch (Nevada Observer article)

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Nevada Politics

A 26-State Primary Election Scheduled For February 5: So Much For Concept Of Early Caucus Bringing Candidates To Nevada (Nevada Observer editorial)

A Matter Of Diction

Pronouncing Nevada As A Nevadan (Guy Rocha column, The Nevada Observer)

State Democratic Party

Presidential Wannabes Invade Silver State -- Democrat's Big Seven: Call Them 'Taxocrats' (Nevada Observer article)

"Democratic presidential hopeful Bill Richardson is set to be the guest speaker at the Carson City Democrats' annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner."

Presidential hopeful headed to Carson (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Democrats set rules for Jan. 19 presidential caucus: Procedures similar to Iowa's, allow at-large precincts to help shift workers participate (Associated Press article)

State Republican Party

Conservatives Continue To Separate Themselves From GOP: Conservative Leadership Conference Scheduled For October In Reno (Nevada Observer article)

Municipal Elections

City Of Elko

Whitney files for mayor (Elko Free Press article)

City Of Las Vegas

Ward 5 City Council candidates square off: Forum draws six of the 10 running for seat vacated by Weekly (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Sierra Nevada College

A new beginning (Larry Large column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Public Schools

Clark County School District

A Problem That's Not Going Away

CLARK COUNTY CLASSROOMS: Mass-produced ignorance -- Grades are going up, but educational standards are sinking like the Titanic (Greg Barone column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

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Nevada Water Matters

Where Does Your Water Come From: Ground, River? The Answer May Surprise You, Since It Is Probably Both (Nevada Observer article)

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Nevada Health Matters

Mental Health

Woody Barlettani, Mental Illness [Click on image to enlarge; click here for more from The Drifter Hotel]

Mental Health Facilities Lacking In Silver State: Health Agencies Cannot Keep Up With Large Demand (Nevada Observer article)

UMC Supervision

What Is The Sound Of One Hand Jerking? Another Bad Idea From Our Legislature

FLASHPOINT for Apr 01, 2007 (Jon Ralston feature, Las Vegas Sun)

Blowhard Medical Center

 Renown For Its Extraordinarily Pretentious Name Change

"The upcoming opening of Renown Medical Center's new tower east of downtown is a good time for people to recognize Renown and stop pining for Washoe Med."

Use tower, new services as way to celebrate Renown (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Breast Cancer

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING: MRI promotion causes concern -- Breast cancer specialists praise recommendation with caveat (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Cosmetic Surgery

Silicone or saline argument goes on: Breast implantation surgery popular either way (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada Energy And Environment

White Pine County Coal-Burning Power Plants

"For now, though, Ely is the battleground between Nevada's investor-owned utilities, which want to build a 1,500-megawatt power plant, and LS Power Group, an independent power company based in East Brunswick, N.J., that proposes to build a 1,600-megawatt plant."

Eastern Nevada site of power play: Battle brewing in Ely to build coal-fired plant -- or perhaps two (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"'It would be like putting a coal-fired power plant at the entrance to Red Rock Canyon,' Spilsbury says of the collision of industry and nature."

TOWN FIRED UP: Plans for a coal-fired power plant in sleepy community not an easy sell (Las Vegas Sun article)

Solar Prestige

Major Solar Plant For Nellis AFB Announced: Power Light Corporation To Build Photovoltaic System For Base (Nevada Observer article)

Energy And Taxation

Tax Time And We Have Some Good News For You; Energy Policy Act Could Save You Some Big Bucks This Year (Nevada Observer article)

More Green

"Gov. Jim Gibbons wants to see more "green" in Nevada."

'Green' entrepreneurs get pitch from Nevada (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Nevada's Wildlife

Count The Birds, Enjoy Fallon's Natural Beauty: It's Called Spring Wings Bird Festival And You Are Invited (Nevada Observer article)

Our Weird And Beautiful Region

MARS IN MOJAVE DESERT: 'Spaceward Bound' sows seeds for space exploration among teachers, scientists (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

Strange Deaths In A Remote Wilderness

NEVADA VIEWS: Inquest system is deeply flawed -- Family of slain man not satisfied with the process (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Desert National Wildlife Killing Questioned: Visitor Shot Multiple Times By Fish And Wildlife Officer (Nevada Observer article)

"Digital Property"

There's a sucker born every minute (Nevada Appeal article)

It Is Just, That A Man Who Knows How To Kill Should Learn How To Die

"I believe life without parole instead of the death penalty should be used as punishment in all capital offenses regardless of the nature of the crime."

The death penalty: What's the real punishment? (Norm Rosenberg column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

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Nevada's Burning Hills

"Improvements made to a hillside home, chosen last summer to showcase how fire dangers can be lessened through landscaping, were unveiled Friday to a group of fire officials and landscapers."

New landscaping designed with an eye for fire safety (Nevada Appeal article)

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Nevada Culture

The Ways Of The Ancestors

"Becca is one of about 50 of the tribe's children, most 10- to 14-years-old, participating in Project Venture, a program designed to teach them outdoor living and community service. The two are combined in a series of weekly lessons that began in February, all of them leading to the trip, which will be a sort of final exam."

Washoe Tribe youths pare down for survival trek (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

A Flight Of Fancy

A Visit To Silver Peak For This Special Holiday: A Rare And Beautiful Sight Found In The Desert (Nevada Observer article)

Lear Theater

"Lear Theater backers have every right to be upset at learning secondhand about plans to move the building and sell the property. It is another in a string of setbacks, broken promises and disappointments."

Decisions on Lear Theater project due: Must we move it or lose it? (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Helldorado !!!

Helldorado Days to feature golf, trail ride, more (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

It's Your Funeral: Nevada's Trimalchio

FORMER LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR: Lively crowd turns out for 'Awake Wake' -- Hammargren joined by family, friends for funeral while he's still alive to enjoy it (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

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From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Facelift

Tropicana gets major makeover for 50th birthday (Associated Press article)

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Nevada's Past

Women's History Month

Nevada Women in History: Annie Hudnall Martin (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada Women in History: Therese Alpetche Laxalt (Nevada Appeal article)

A Haunted Clock

"The clock, which has not worked for many years, is the oldest piece of furniture in the mansion, dating back to the late 1700s, mansion coordinator Helen Wiemer said."

Dawn Gibbons says it's time to fix the 'haunted' clock at the mansion (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Comstock And Its History

Listen to Virginia City's story of 'Bust to Bonanza' (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Destruction Of The European Jews

Holocaust survivor, author to speak at local library (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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Nevada Journalism

The Wholesome Way

"Aren't people more interested in the safety of their neighborhoods, the traffic counts on their roads and the quality of their children's public schools than they are about the latest political 'gotcha?'"

Brian Greenspun on a journalistic tradition worth saving in the changing world of higher-speed communications (Las Vegas Sun column)

God Bless Our Nevada Curmudgeons

Self-Righteous Inferences, And Still Testy About Them

"His implication that adult males want to have sex with 12 year-old girls was that it was culturally acceptable in some countries. Obviously Uncle Billy, somebody's been looking at the picture of the naked little natives in National Geographic a wee bit too much. Whatcha think?"

Judge deserved judgment for comments on child pornography (John DiMambro column, Nevada Appeal)

The Effectiveness Of English-Language Broadcasts To Foreign Populations

"I hope my ex-USIA and VOA colleagues can save the Voice's flagship English-language service but given the current toxic political climate in Washington, it may go silent - and that would be another great tragedy in the history of American public diplomacy."

Cutting English- language broadcasting will silence America's voice (Guy W. Framer column, Nevada Appeal)

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Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Nuclear Waste Problem Easily Solved: Think Costs Of Yucca, Costs Of Leaving On Site (Nevada Observer article)

Management To Blame Says Yucca Report: Falsified Reports, Flagrant Lying Because Of Inept Managers (Nevada Observer article)

Uncle Sam's Radioactive Railway Project

"Trains carrying up to 4,500 casks of high-level nuclear waste could roll through downtown Reno and Sparks every week for 24 years under the latest strategy by the U.S. Department of Energy to build a railroad line to Yucca Mountain, according to Nevada officials."

Nuclear waste on our rails (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Blast in trench could affect casinos, hospitals, homes (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

"U.S. Rep. Dean Heller, Nevada's secretary of state for more than a decade before being elected to Congress, has jumped into the controversy about whether Congress should grant the District of Columbia a voting representative in the House."

Heller says Nevada should get an extra seat in Congress (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

A Thought-Provoking Column

"Three cases Bogden's office handled in 2006 -- during the heart of the election cycle -- likely landed on Karl Rove's desk in the White House as the administration closely followed any potential swing in congressional races. And Bogden's firing wouldn't just serve as a vengeful postscript. It would also set the stage for what we have already seen to be Rove's next mission -- securing the presidency and protecting targeted Republican House members in 2008."

ERIN NEFF: For it's one, two, three strikes you're out at the Rove ball game (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Mene, Mene, Tekel, Upharsin

"To restore credibility to the Justice Department, Gonzales must go."

Lack of credibility: Attorney General Gonzales has allowed the Justice Department to be tarred by politics (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

"With Democrats and many Republicans out to get him maybe he should go into rehab. That'll buy him some time."

Maybe try rehab first (Jim Clark column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

"This administration has shown over and over that it does not believe that the laws apply to it, and that it does not respect its co-equal branches of government. Congress should subpoena Mr. Rove and the others, and question them under oath, in public. If Congress has more questions, they should be recalled. That's Congress's job - to exercise the "checks and balances" mandated by a document BushCheneyRove do not seem to have read - the Constitution of the United States of America."

Lack of accountability (Ed Gurowitz column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

In The US Congress

"The U.S. Senate passed a war-funding bill last week. According to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., this will 'change the course in Iraq' by giving our troops 'an effective, successful strategy for victory in Iraq.' Why, just reading that you'd think that Sen. Reid is giving American soldiers a green light to kick some major butt in Baghdad."

SHERMAN FREDERICK: Harry Reid's doublespeak -- Hightailing it to victory? (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

"President Bush and the Democrats are headed for a showdown on Iraq very soon. Both sides are sure to act like children as they huff and puff and toss blame around like a hot potato. Too many of them are thinking about their political futures instead of our future. When the smoke clears, let's hope they do what the majority of this country clearly wants, and that is to realize the foolishness of this war, and to find a way out before we go broke."

Can we afford to win the war in Iraq? (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)

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April 2, 2007

[3:00 PM]

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Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Utilities Deregulation

"Legislation that would end some 75 years of phone-rate regulation by Nevada state officials will be considered today by a legislative committee."

Dialing state for an assist: Phone companies seek less regulation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Predatory Lending Practices

The Duh Factor (Todd Zuccato column, Silver State Libertarian Leanings)

Dead Kids

"April is recognized national as Child Abuse Prevention Month, and there will be many things to bring awareness to the public on the sad statistics of child abuse and neglect throughout the nation and here in our own state."

Stand up against child abuse (Nevada Appeal article)

"During Child Abuse Prevention Month in April, more than 15,000 pinwheels are being placed near courthouses, schools, libraries and parks across Nevada today to symbolize the number of child abuse reports filed in the state in 2006."

15,000 pinwheels reflect filed child abuse reports (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

"'Scrapping,' as meth addicts call it, involves stripping copper and other metals from utility poles, pipes in abandoned stores and materials at construction sites, and its popularity is spreading across Washoe County and the rest of the country."

'Scrapping' helps feed meth addicts' habits (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"It doesn't matter if the beat rubs your nerves raw or if you can't make out the words. Your kids and your neighbor's kids can. What's important is that they get the message."

Let kids learn about meth in words they understand (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

State Judiciary

"The numbers tell the tale: Clark County, with a population of 1.9 million, has 33 judges handling more than 91,000 case filings per year. That means the county has 1.7 judges per 100,000 population, and 2,782 filings per judge."

Family Court makes pitch for a few more judges: Workload shoots up with population, drags out cases (Las Vegas Sun article)

Griffin settling into new freedom of not being a judge (Nevada Appeal article)

Local Government

Clark County

Unruly Gatherings

"The proposed ordinance identifies unruly gatherings as those that would include 'neighborhood parties and other gatherings in residential areas that cause a disturbance of the quiet enjoyment of private or public property.'"

LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL -- It's back: A push to tame the unruly (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lyon County

"Donna Kristaponis isn't retreating quietly."

Open-meeting law violation alleged by ex-Lyon County manager (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

City Of Sparks

"The power to hire an outside attorney is just one alternative that could help city officials do their job at the highest level possible."

Approve bill to allow outside attorney (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

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Nevada Education Matters

Technical And Career Education

"President Bush has proposed cuts that would eliminate $5.2 million for technical and career education for Nevada in 2008. That would be offset by Gov. Jim Gibbons' plan to allocate $7 million for work force development programs at community colleges, if the Legislature approves."

Proposal would cut funding for career programs (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Higher Education

Undisclosed Relationships

"The nation's institutions of higher learning should be required to reveal relationships with companies that are paid or promoted to lend students money."

Lending advice or money? Arrangements between universities and lenders need closer scrutiny and disclosure (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Nevada State College

"Hardy is sponsoring a bill that would allow Nevada State College to work with Henderson to direct tax revenue generated by the college's development toward future expansion."

LOOKING IN ON: HIGHER EDUCATION -- College gets boost from a friend in Legislature (Las Vegas Sun article)

Public Schools

Advanced Placement Classes

"Thrasher is one of about 130,000 teachers worldwide who must provide written proof to the College Board by June 1 that the AP classes they are teaching are worthy of the designation."

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES: Program's growth prompts review -- College Board wants to ensure classes meet standards (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

In The Legislature

"Senate Bill 540, drafted by the Committee on Legislative Operations and Elections, would strip the Board of Education of its regulatory authority and authorize the governor to appoint the superintendent of public instruction, who now is elected."

Education power struggle: Governor or state board (Las Vegas Sun article)

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Nevada Health Matters

West Nile Virus

"The West Nile season typically runs from July to October, depending on the temperature, and 2006 ended with 123 human cases in Nevada. Only 30 cases were reported around the state in 2005, according to the Nevada State Health Division."

West Nile virus spread wide in '06 (Nevada Appeal article)

"Fulstone Wetlands is a place in Carson City where mosquitoes thrive during the summer. And Teresa Hayes is trying something different to make the area less hospitable to the insects, which carry life-threatening diseases."

Fishing for a way to control mosquitoes (Nevada Appeal article)

Ways to keep mosquitoes away (Nevada Appeal article)

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From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Chinese Gambling Ventures: Handle With Tongs

Burden Of Proof Shifted From Applicant To State; Rules Reinterpreted To Accommodate MGM Mirage Deal

"Commissioners said they needed hard evidence that Nevada's reputation had or would be harmed by the deal and that news articles and other public disclosures didn't cut it."

Uneasy partnership: MGM Mirage's deal can help spread Nevada-style gaming worldwide (Las Vegas Sun article)

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Nevada's Past

Regional Avalanche

25 years ago: Alpine avalanche of '82 not forgotten around basin (Nevada Appeal article)

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Federal Nevada

Nevada Test Site

Anti-nuclear rally held at test site: Martin Sheen among activists cited by police (Associated Press article)

Our Bloated National Budget

"Twelve House Democrats jumped ship last week and joined 198 Republicans in opposing the budget plan formulated by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, et al. Unfortunately, the measure still passed, 216-210."

House budget (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Veterans Affairs

"A report released last month by the Government Accountability Office, the investigating arm of Congress, says wounded troops aren't getting into rehabilitation soon enough because the Defense Department is slow in transferring active military medical records to the Veterans Affairs system."

Healing a system: President tours hospital but still fails to see what's ailing America's wounded troops (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Public Lands

Western lawmakers want more help for public lands (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Endangered Species

"U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service officials are considering rule changes that would, among other things, limit the ability of federal wildlife agents to intervene on behalf of endangered species or their habitats."

Endangering a law: Wildlife agency's proposed changes to endangered species program would dilute protection (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Corporate Regulation

"It’s up to parents to set limits on how much junk winds up served for breakfast, in lunch boxes and at the dinner table, in addition to the amount of television their kids can watch each week. To accomplish this, the gatekeepers of goodies typically employ a universally understood, one-word directive: “No!” That same command should be applied to attempts to put the state in charge of commercial speech."

Regulate advertising, make kids thinner! (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

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Update for April 2, 2007

[6:35 PM]

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Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

The State Budget

"Very soon now the budget battle is going to be joined in Carson City and the signs aren't hopeful."

Vive la difference! (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)

"For governments, accountability is the government's responsibility to justify to its citizenry the raising of public revenues and to account for the use of those public resources. Accountability information can be used to support decision making, but it also fulfills the citizenry's 'right to know' how public resources have been spent."

GASB White Paper: Why Governmental Accounting and Financial Reporting Is—and Should Be—Different (Governmental Accounting Services Board Report)

Judicial Funding

Panel OKs bill for more judgeships in Las Vegas, Reno (Associated Press article)

Auto Repair Shops

"Nevada may be on its way to becoming the next state to ban insurer-owned collision repair shops. The state legislature’s Transportation Committee held hearings last week on a proposed bill that would prevent insurance companies from owning body shops in the state, modeled closely on similar legislation in Texas that withstood court challenges from the insurance industry."

Nevada legislature holds hearings on insurer-owned shops (Automotive Body Repair News article)

PAY-TV Regulation

"A legislative deal that would open up the cable TV business to phone companies was unveiled in the Legislature last week and it came with the backing of major players on both sides. AB 526 would establish a statewide video-franchise process that would end the practice of municipalities granting long-term franchises to a single cable TV provider."

Proposed laws could boost competition in pay-TV (Las Vegas Business Press article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Scandals and Missteps Dog New Nevada Governor (Washington Post article)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

ATTORNEY GENERAL, WORKING GROUP ON METHAMPHETAMINE USE, DELIVER PRELIMINARY REPORT TO GOVERNOR, LEGISLATURE (Attorney General Press Release)

Governor's Working Group on Methamphetamine Preliminary Report

Local Government

Clark County

Developing Stories

Allure's Tower Two now in question: Falling high-rise demand and finance problems may kill second structure (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Contest, desire for retail, spur interest in NLV Town Center (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Arroyo Corporate Center breaks ground on Beltway site (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Tracking The Developments

"Trying to keep pace with who owns what on the Strip or which downtown condo project is happening and which one is headed for oblivion? To find the answers to those questions, and others, it's imperative to go 'behind the Orange curtain.'"

A foot in the past, another in the future: Web designer and mapmaker Mark Adams chronicles the evolution of Las Vegas (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Vegas Today And Tomorrow Website

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Nevada Politics

State Republican Party

"It doesn't take a rocket scientist to recognize the tremendous benefits the Nevada Democratic Party -- as well as the state itself -- has gained by moving its caucus up to the second in the national sequence. By the end of March, every major Democratic presidential candidate will have visited the Silver State at least twice and two major, televised presidential forums will have taken place. You can't buy media attention like that."

GOP must follow Democrats' lead (Chuck Muth column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Airola finds comeback vehicle: Helicopter mogul resurfaces as part of Republican campaign brain trust (Las Vegas Business Press article)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Experts at Nevada develop technology to increase effectiveness of tsunami warning systems (University of Nevada Press Release)

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Nevada Health Matters

In The Legislature

Nevada lawmakers review bill granting money for autism (Associated Press article)

Legislators vote against data-mining companies in Nevada (Associated Press article)

Medical Brain Drain Problem

"Only nine out of the 52 fourth-year students matched with a residency within Nevada. Once leaving the state for their residencies, roughly 40 percent of those students will return to practice medicine."

Most new doctors seek fortune elsewhere: Some see local opportunities, particularly for bilingual physicians (Las Vegas Business Press article)

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Nevada's Environment

Rare bearpoppy gains protection in patch at Nellis Air Force Base (Associated Press article)

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Nevada Law Enforcement

Consumer Fraud

"West's campaign to force franchised car dealers to adhere to state and federal disclosure laws has already netted him and his clients three settlements here, two with local Courtesy dealerships and one with Integrity Chrysler. Another two lawsuits are pending, one against Vista Chevrolet, the other against Fletcher Jones Toyota."

Hidden fees hurt local car buyers: Five local suits allege pattern of consumer fraud (Las Vegas Business Press article)

The Art Of Crime Detection

Testing memory with southern Nevada's only police forensic sketch artist (KVBC-TV report)

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Nevada Communications

"Nostalgia has probably never been what it used to be. A Henderson company thinks, though, that it is sitting on a gold mine of classic TV, entertainment and sports footage."

TV on the Internet offers a feast for baby boomers (Las Vegas Business Press article)

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Nevada's Past

Gone In A Flash

"Closing and imploding a casino isn't 'Las Vegas destroying its past;' it means certain people in the city have chosen another future."

Every day a little death (David G. Schwartz column, Las Vegas Business Press)

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April 3, 2007

[11:55 AM]

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Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Our State Budget

"A lawmaker suggested Monday that additional money being proposed for the state's rainy day fund should instead be used to at least partially offset $112 million in spending reductions that Gov. Jim Gibbons has recommended for a variety of proposed new programs."

Rainy day fund addition opposed: Senator suggests using funds to offset spending reductions (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"The state's financial picture is worse than painted by Gov. Jim Gibbons, putting his proposal to give tax breaks to business and banks in jeopardy."

Gibbons' tax breaks run smack into reality: We can't afford it, lawmakers warn (Las Vegas Sun article)

Assembly leaders say business tax break unlikely (Nevada Appeal article)

Dead Kids

"A bill that would generally prohibit the placement of children younger than 6 in congregate care settings such as Child Haven, Clark County's emergency shelter for neglected and abused minors, was amended and passed Monday by an Assembly Committee."

Panel OKs bill limiting use of congregate care (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Pinwheels for Prevention: Child abuse awareness month under way (Elko Free Press article)

Nevada's Wretched, Toothless Campaign Finance Laws

"Despite her easy path, Atkinson Gates spent at least $749,136 on the race - $356,166 of which was paid to her son, his future wife and a company that the couple ran together."

Atkinson Gates campaign paid son six figures (Las Vegas Sun article, via Jon Ralston's Flashpoint)

Retro-Government Toll Road Proposals

A Profitable Abdication Of Responsibility

"Toll roads are big business. Mother Jones magazine reported this year that a few short years after a 2005 bill changed the tax code to let private companies raise tax-exempt dollars for road projects, Goldman Sachs has an infrastructure fund worth more than $3 billion. The reason is simple. The need is everywhere and investors are seeing the possibility of profits from toll roads."

RAISING TOLLS: Behind Gephardt's pitch to build roads and charge drivers are big investors looking to make big money off Nevadans (Las Vegas Sun article)

Utilities Deregulation

"The state's consumer advocate told Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, Monday that regulators could balance the needs of senior citizens wanting affordable phone service with the needs of former monopoly telephone companies to freely compete against unregulated telecommunications companies."

Advocate calls for rate caps: Assembly speaker says she seeks to protect constituents (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Professional Regulation

"Before Charles Ceccarelli hired a tile installer for his Carson City home, he checked his complaint history with the Nevada State Contractors' board."

Cleaning up after the contractors: Contractor's board may be replaced by new watchdog (Nevada Appeal article)

Public Subsidies For Private Enterprise

"The developer trying to bring a Triple-A baseball franchise to Sparks has until Oct. 1 to get an agreement in place or lose the millions of dollars in rental car taxes that have been set aside for the project, under a bill before the Nevada Legislature."

Senate bill sets deadline for Sparks baseball plan (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"Under current state law, vintners are not allowed to sell wines to retailers or to private citizens except at their own facilities. That privilege goes to alcohol wholesalers who, according to Frey, account for more than half of the cost of the wine at stores due to their markup."

Legislation needed to encourage Nevada's fledgling wine industry (Lahontan Valley News editorial)

Tip Pooling

"A bill that would have ended - perhaps inadvertently - the long-honored practice of casino-supervised tip-pooling by dealers has been rewritten to simply address a controversy at Wynn Las Vegas, the bill's sponsor said Monday."

Tip-pooling bill goes too far, gets pulled back to limit pain (Las Vegas Sun article)

Plight Of The Homeless

Homeless man arrested: Transient crime increasing in Elko (Elko Free Press article)

Retailers say stray shopping carts in the community are manageable (Lahontan Valley News article)

Regulation Of Homeowners Associations

"Unhappy homeowners at the Los Prados Golf and Country Club testified Monday that their association board allows gamblers and gaming buses into their 1,358-home gated community while denying entrance to school buses."

Associations: Los Prados residents complain of ban on school buses, allege retaliation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Honoring The Father

Father Jerry Hanley honored at state Senate for 30 years of service: Sen. Bill Raggio says 'Father Jerry' still has a lot of wisdom and energy he could share (Nevada Appeal article)

The Governor Of Nevada

eTreppid Litigation

"Some documents supporting the search warrant for a former eTreppid software developer, who has accused Gov. Jim Gibbons of improperly helping the company secure millions in defense contracts, contain classified material that must be blacked out before the files are released to the public, a judge said Monday."

Judge: Some eTreppid case data to remain classified (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Doesn't Like Dawn Gibbons

ERIN NEFF: Dawn of the dead? (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

The State Judiciary

Judicial Reform Commission

"Due to a misunderstanding, Gentile had been announced Wednesday as chairwoman of the commission. Dressel said members thought it important to have chairs from both Northern and Southern Nevada and from varying backgrounds. Gentile is a lawyer."

Judicial College president, MGM Mirage exec to lead legal panel (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Short Shrift

"Six minutes may be all a judge in Clark County's Family Court has to hear a foster child's case."

Six-minute justice: Justice in Clark County suffers as overwhelmed Family Court judges face a huge caseload (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

A System In Crisis

"Las Vegas Municipal Court Judge George Assad issued a withering rebuke Monday of the current system of choosing the chief municipal judge, saying the system 'is oppressive, outdated and violates fundamental principles of fairness and due process.'"

Municipal judge criticizes process of choosing a chief: Bill allows appointment of hearing commissioners (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

State Agencies

"First-time homebuyers and qualifying veterans again have some help in achieving the American dream with the help of the Nevada Rural Housing Authority."

Money available for first-time homebuyers (Lahontan Valley News article)

"The Nevada Printing Office's warehouse, under construction at Stewart and Fifth streets, will be completed by late October, a state representative said Monday."

Site work starts on $4.7M warehouse (Nevada Appeal article)

Local Government

Clark County

Regional Economy Not All Bad

"Despite a downturn in construction activity, the Southern Nevada Index of Leading Economic Indicators ticked up to 133.17 in March, a local economist said Monday."

LV Valley growth index up slightly (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

City Of Las Vegas

Change Of Faces At City Council

"Two high-ranking city officials confirmed that Brenda Williams, a lifelong resident of Ward 5, will be offered by Mayor Oscar Goodman to fill the seat. Any appointment is subject to a vote by the City Council, but that person could be sworn in on Wednesday."

Temporary representative to serve ward: Candidates in today's primary unlikely to win seat outright (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Fingers Of Stanley Ho

Neonopolis may get a new boss: City has talks with company that brought Fashion Show mall here (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Incline Vision

"More than 120 Incline Village and Crystal Bay residents filled the elementary school's multi-purpose room Saturday morning for a town hall-style meeting with one shared goal: taking action."

Town hall-style meeting gets residents ready for 'action' (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

"Incline Village residents who attended Saturday's town hall-style meeting were treated to a preview of information that will be released to the rest of the Tahoe Basin later this week."

Incline residents get Pathway 2007 preview (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Storey County

County Finance

"Taking a conservative approach to finances has paid off for Storey County, which has seen small growth in the budget with enough available for savings."

Storey County focuses on savings in tentative budget (Nevada Appeal article)

A Developing Story

"Concerns about water, soil contamination, property values, taxes, political power shifts and the end of a rural way of life are fueling opposition to a proposed 8,600-home planned unit development in northern Storey County."

Storey panel to hear new development request (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

City Of Sparks

A Retreat From Elective Government

"Embattled Sparks City Attorney Chet Adams charged Monday that the Sparks City Council is going behind the backs of voters and its own charter committee with its support of a bill that would change the city attorney positions in Sparks and Reno from elected to appointed."

Sparks city attorney decries city's support of measure (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

Political Identity

"I had a publisher of a paper in Southern California, a conservative, tell me about 20 years ago that the conservatives were becoming like the old liberals, as he envisioned them, and the liberals were becoming the new conservatives. Interesting."

Falling off the edge (Glen McAdoo column, Lahontan Valley News)

State Democratic Party

"Richardson has been nominated four times for the Nobel Peace Prize for negotiating the release of hostages, American servicemen and political prisoners in North Korea, Iraq and Cuba. He recently negotiated a 60-day cease-fire in the Darfur region of western Sudan."

Richardson to address Carson City Democrats: Event will raise funds for local party (Nevada Appeal article)

Municipal Elections

"Don't assume that you can vote in today's city of Las Vegas elections just because the mail you receive says you live in Las Vegas."

Living in cities a must for municipal voting (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Millennium Scholarships

What, No History? A Proposal For Just One Side Of The Brain

"Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, objected Monday to a bill that would restrict the Millennium Scholarship to science, engineering, computer and applied science majors."

Titus protests proposed limits on Millennium Scholarship (Nevada Appeal article)

Public Schools

In The Legislature

Lawmakers open to funding gifted students (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Clark County School District

Flailing Dysfunction

"Charles E. Thompson told the Assembly Education Committee that the school district's 'propaganda ministry' works overtime to convince people the teacher shortage is caused by lower salaries and a 'stingy Legislature.'"

Ex-judge says school district abuses teachers: Thompson backs teacher bill of rights (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Washoe County School District

"He is a wonderful addition to our literacy program," Humasti said. "He comes and spends his valuable time to read with the kids every Friday."

IVGID's Horn honored with Jefferson Award nomination (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

The Carson, Truckee And Walker Rivers

"With the arrival of April and the traditional end to the snow season, the Sierra snowpack is barely half what it should be."

Final snowpack totals falls short of averages (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Autism

16-year-old testifies for autism measure: Bill urges $6.4 million to battle the disease (Associated Press article)

Alternative Medicine

Lawmakers told better regulation needed on alternative medicine (Associated Press article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Cash Hemorrhage

"MTR Gaming Group of Chester, W.Va., reported Monday that earnings before interest, taxes and depreciation at Binion's were $3.1 million in the red during 2006, compared to a positive cash flow of $580,000 in 2005."

THROWN FOR A LOSS: Binion's hemorrhages cash; analyst speculates on sale of downtown casino (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Journalism

"Anthony Curtis, owner of Huntington Press, said he received the subpoena to testify in United States v. Nicholas W. Calabrese et al, a complex organized crime case involving multiple alleged felonies including the murders of Las Vegas crime boss Anthony Spilotro and his brother, Michael, in June 1986, and 16 others."

LV publisher subpoenaed to testify: Told to bring manuscript of autobiography of a hit man to Chicago racketeering trial (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Spanish-language newspapers beef up quantity and quality (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada's Past

The Old Breed

Fourth-generation Nevadan dies at 97 (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Sen. Reid

Effort to alter oversight of outdoor ad rebuilding halted (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Rep. Heller

"A constitutional issue requires a constitutional solution. Congress needs to figure out how to manage representation for all those disenfranchised people, who are U.S. citizens and who pay taxes."

Nevada's fourth House seat is assured (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Rep. Porter

"In the past six months, the number of prescription drug overdoses in Clark County has climbed 300 percent from the same time period a year earlier."

Porter seeks study on disposal of drugs: Prescription medicine abuse spurs calls for action (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Corporate Regulation

Dead Pets

"Excuses provide little solace for someone who has lost his or her best friend."

The pet food scare: As recall escalates, pet owners ask why U.S. manufacturers use wheat from China (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

In The Eye Of The Beholder: Of Alarmists And Somnambulists

"So what's the real agenda of the "global warming" alarmists?"

Court wades into 'global warming' fray: Justices rule carbon dioxide is an 'air pollutant' (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Massachusetts v. EPA (US Supreme Court website)

Laissez-Faire: The Gangster's Dream

"There's a cruel irony behind the implosion of the subprime mortgage industry, now visible in the national spike in foreclosures and resulting calls from political opportunists for government intervention."

Subprime mortgages (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Death On The Driveway

Helping to safeguard kids: Vehicle-safety legislation could reduce the chances of accidents while backing up (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Carson woman weaves a Web of Support for troops overseas: Group dedicated to members of the U.S. military who are far from home (Nevada Appeal article)

Veterans Affairs

Tuskegee Airmen recognition welcome, but long overdue (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

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

April 4, 2007

[6:20 PM]

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

The State Budget

Nevada governor taking second look at budget shortfall estimate (Associated Press article)

Nevada Highways

"Aside from an agreement to use $170 million of the state's general fund surplus to widen I-15 between the U.S. Highway 95 interchange and Craig Road, there is nothing approaching a consensus on how to turn highway construction plans into actual pavement. Instead, lawmakers are busy shuffling the papers of hundreds of unnecessary bills through committee hearings and toward the oblivion of rival chambers."

Dilly-dallying on roads: Where's the leadership in Carson City? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

More Traffic Stops, More Tickets

"Gov. Jim Gibbons said Tuesday he'd rather reach the goal of reducing annual traffic fatalities next year by convincing drivers to slow down and pay attention. But for those who won't listen, he and Public Safety Director Phil Galeoto said the highway patrol and local law enforcement will make the point by writing tickets."

Gibbons rolls out highway safety plan (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada lawmakers consider expanding DUI offender program (Associated Press article)

Retro-Government Toll Road Proposals

"I don't favor making toll roads out of existing highways that people are already using," he said. "If they want to add a lane -- they call them high-speed Lexus lanes in California -- and give people a choice, OK. I am not going to make people pay a toll on a road that now is free."

FINANCING HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTION: Gibbons objects to plan for toll roads -- Wants motorists to have free alternate routes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Bill To Hamper Local Government Growth Curbs

"It's a measure that would make it extremely difficult or impossible for Nevada cities or counties to control their own destinies regarding growth," he said. "We hope it doesn't pass."

Bill may head off growth cap (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

"Senate Bill 510 would establish a long list of requirements before a county could implement growth controls."

Douglas growth hits Legislature (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

SB510

State Regulation Of Families And Family Affairs

Nevada law would let courts restore parental rights (Associated Press article)

Nevada Senator scraps bill that stemmed from family feud (Associated Press article)

Inadequate State Regulation Of Mortgage Industry

Nevada bills aimed at regulating mortgage industry (Associated Press article)

"On Thursday, former FBI agents hired by bankruptcy court officials believe they saw document-shredding equipment being taken from the USA Investment Partners building, according to a court document. The former FBI agents also heard shredding sounds."

Lawyers will ask judge to rethink USA Capital ruling (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Of Terrorists And Trains

"Supporters of a bill designed to increase railroad security in Nevada painted a disastrous scenario of what terrorists could do to Reno, Sparks and Las Vegas on Tuesday at the Legislature."

Trains open to attack, activists contend (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

State Prisons And Prisoners

Lawmakers told prison release policies up to them, not prisons (Nevada Appeal article)

"About 1,600 inmates would qualify to be released from Nevada prisons if lawmakers approve a bill that doubles the time credits inmates receive for good behavior, a prison spokesman said Tuesday."

Prison measure would qualify about 1,600 inmates for release (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

AB510

Bill To Track Sex Offenders

"'This bill will ensure we receive their DNA samples as well,' he said. 'And this will ensure we have an accurate record on file for all sex offenders who reside here no matter where they commit their crimes.'"

Governor testifies for bill requiring stricter sex offender rules (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Open Government: The Right To Know What You're Paying For

Nevada open records bill debated (Associated Press article)

Medical Malpractice Apologies

Nevada lawmakers vote for doctor-backed 'I'm Sorry' law (Associated Press article)

Making Elected Positions Appointed

"The city attorneys of Reno and Sparks took differing views Tuesday on a bill before the Nevada Legislature that would make the positions appointed rather than elected."

Kadlic, Adams disagree on city attorney bill (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Governor Of Nevada

From The Office Of The Governor

Governor Gibbons Continues to Advance Legislative Agenda (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

The Usual "Plenty Of Nothing" Stories

An Apt Appraisal

"The governor's wife, former state legislator Dawn Gibbons, was drawn in last week by reports that didn't really accuse her of doing anything wrong but sounded like they did."

Scandals don't hurt just the principals (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)

Paid Their Own Way Six Or Seven Years Ago

Gibbons vacationed with Nevada defense contractors (Associated Press article)

Did The Work

"Nevada first lady Dawn Gibbons earned her $35,000 as a public relations consultant for a Sparks-based company by organizing at least two technology demonstrations, a lawyer said Tuesday."

Dawn Gibbons organized company events, lawyer says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

If you can't use your title to help your client..... (Vegas Pundit)

After The Legislature Had Adjourned

Jon Ralston on how the governor and first lady used their political positions to benefit a private interest (Las Vegas Sun column)

Unsatisfied With Explanations

"Apparently, I just don't understand the nature of consulting agreements, the art of public relations and the essence of power couple politics."

JOHN L. SMITH: Explanations about Dawn Gibbons' side deal less than satisfactory (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

The State Judiciary

Judicial Conformity

"Carson City District Judge Bill Maddox stunningly declared last week that crimes such as child pornography and having sex with an underage child are not necessarily morally wrong but offenses of 'impulse control.'"

Judging a heinous crime: Carson City judge minimizes child pornography, gives perpetrators excuse for the crime (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Judge Claims Child Pornography Is Symptom Of Men’s Natural Impulses (Reno and Its Discontents)

Gas Up

"Gasoline prices are still 15 cents a gallon away from last May's all time high for Northern Nevada, but new highs could be set this summer, an American Automobile Association spokesman said Tuesday."

Gas prices could set new record this year (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Return Of The Electric Car

"'For $3, I can go about 170 miles,' said Chuck Swackhammer of Verdi. 'The economy of electric vehicles is unbelievable.'"

Some save at the pump by plugging in (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

"The state Gaming Control Board deserves credit for insisting that liquor store owners choose between their slot machines and the sale of drug paraphernalia. That policy could play a part in this community's anti-meth campaign."

Gaming board's policy can help meth campaign (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Child Abuse

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

"A tobacco store has “surprised” the Southern Nevada Health District by winning a preliminary injunction to allow smoking on its indoor mall patio."

Smoking on mall patio okay for now, says judge (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Vicarious Liability

"The idea to curb unruly, law-breaking tenants by creating rules that could penalize Carson City property owners won't be pursued - much to the relief of local real estate professionals."

City drops plans for social host ordinance (Nevada Appeal article)

Douglas County

Telling the truth about smart growth (Rudy McTee column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

Elko County

City Of Elko

City OKs master plan (Elko Free Press article)

City eyes hike in water-sewer fees, room tax (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Planning For The Future

"Pathway 2007, the process which will purportedly diagram a plan for the Tahoe Basin for the next two decades, is kicking off a new series of public workshops this week. In this basin of planning skeptics, some are optimistic that real change is in the works."

Perseverance, effort needed for Pathway process (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

Lyon County

County Affairs

Lyon County now 7th fastest growing county in nation (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Commissioner agenda - April 5, 2007 (NewsDesk)

Special Meeting Agenda - Commissioners & Planning Commission April 10, 2007 (NewsDesk)

Commissioners to consider acceptance of grant for fire suppression line at airport (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

City Of Fernley

Meetings set to discuss future of downtown Fernley (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Silver Springs General Improvement District

Bennett removed as SSGID Chairman (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Commissioners to, once again, consider taking over SSGID (Nancy Dallas column, NewsDesk)

Nye County

County Affairs

Amargosa Community Center

"Nye County commissioners, faced with spending up to $100,000 to bring drainage and septic systems up to code at the Amargosa Valley Senior Center, decided last week to punt to the federal government, requesting $1 million in a congressional earmark to build an entirely new facility."

$1 million Amargosa Valley community center sought (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Fireworks

Ordinance would allow sites for 'shooters' (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Town Of Pahrump

"The Pahrump Town Board approved the preliminary budget last week, with growth the name of the game."

Tax cap takes from revenues (Pahrump Valley Times article)

'Criminal is a criminal': Resident opens drive against detention facility (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Storey County

Developing Story

Storey County meeting on Cordevista rescheduled (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

State Democratic Party

Derby elected state party leader (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

State Republican Party

"It's difficult to debate the Iraq war with someone pointing a gun in your face."

Man with hunting rifle threatens executive director of Nevada GOP (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada’s conservative bloggers step it up! (Eric Odom column, Battleborn Opinion News)

Municipal Elections

Primary election results (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Boulder City

Boulder City voters narrow general election field for mayor, council seats (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

City Of Ely

"Ely Mayor George Chachas was soundly defeated Tuesday by his two challengers in the city's primary election."

Hickman, Spear advance to general election (Ely Times article)

City Of Fallon

Two more file for city seats; filing ends Friday (Lahontan Valley News article)

City Of Henderson

MUNICIPAL ELECTIONS: Close race gives Hafen sixth term -- Voter turnout remains low despite more accessible voting centers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

City Of Las Vegas

"Total turnout in Tuesday's municipal primary elections across Clark County was 15.3 percent of eligible registered voters. Turnout was 18.3 percent four years ago, the last time Las Vegans voted for a mayor." Council members,

Goodman win re-election outright: Reese, Tarkanian easily victorious in their Las Vegas ward races (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Primary sets up two-man election for LV judgeship: Avants, Hastings take 'tough-on-crime' stand (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Town Of Mesquite

Mesquite mayor fares well despite FBI investigation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

City Of North Las Vegas

Buck easily wins third term: North Las Vegas councilwoman avoids runoff (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Nevada State College

"Everything was finally looking up for the Nevada State College's first building. The school managed to fight for funding, two contractors said they could build it for $5 million under budget, and a groundbreaking was set for April 19."

Losing bidder sues Public Works Board, delaying Nevada State College's first building (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Public Schools

State Board Of Education

"Before trying to dismantle the board, lawmakers should give the board a real chance to do the job and find ways to encourage the board's full involvement."

Changing education: Lawmakers should give the state Board of Education a chance instead of dismantling it (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Clark County School District

"If in fact Clark County teachers are being routinely "mistreated," that is an issue which should be addressed through collective bargaining -- or, better yet, by allowing hiring competition between schools -- not through counterproductive legislative meddling."

Abused teachers (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

"The Clark County School District is the first school system in the country to join a group of more than 100 organizations that intends to strengthen music education in schools and communities."

District joins music coalition (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Lyon County School District

"Communication or the lack thereof, as well as charged favoritism to some administrators, are issues at the root of a personnel discussion between the Lyon County Board of School Trustees and School Superintendent Nat Lommori that will enter its second session this afternoon."

School Trustees continue discussion with Superintendent today (Fernley Leader-Courier article)

Nye County School District

"Nye County school board trustees, faced with projected 9.75 percent annual increases in high school enrollment, decided unanimously Thursday to build one large, new high school, with the probable location on Gamebird Road just west of Our Lady of the Valley Catholic Church."

New high school on the way: Existing high school to become second middle school (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Academy For Gifted Students

"The school serves the needs of profoundly gifted children, who also are profoundly underserved. Those children receive fewer and less need-specific special education resources in comparison to their need than do low achievers, because they are so intelligent and because there are fewer teachers and fewer available resources."

Academy's request for funding gives lawmakers lots to ponder (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

"A draft bill before the Nevada Legislature that was intended to quiet environmentalists in the debate over water allocations had them in full cry even as the author of the bill was speechless."

BOILING OVER: Who gets a say in Nevada water? Many hands waving (Las Vegas Sun article)

SB 405

The Carson River

"This year's dry winter could mean farmers and ranchers downstream on the Carson River will have to turn to their wells for water."

Low Carson River leaves little water for downstream farmers (Nevada Appeal article)

Sierra Nevada Snowpack

"Current Sierra snowpack and precipitation is down to its lowest level in more than a decade and latest snowpack numbers show 45 percent of average."

Lake level down, but impacts minimal (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Diamond Peak to close early; skier visits drop (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Cancer Vaccine

"Proponents and opponents of a bill that would require certain Nevada health plans to cover Gardasil, the world's first vaccine proven to prevent cervical cancer, testified Tuesday before the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee."

Cervical cancer vaccine bill debated: Gardasil protects females against papilloma virus (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Dead Pets

"Officials with a Las Vegas import company said Tuesday that they could not say whether products it supplied to pet food companies were linked to any of the recent pet deaths or illnesses because of contaminated wheat gluten."

CONTAMINATED INGREDIENT: LV importer under scrutiny -- Company officials say they're unaware of any links to deaths of pets (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Environmental And Occupational Health Laboratory Opens

REID ATTENDS THE GRAND OPENING OF UNLV'S ENVIRONMENTAL AND OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH LABORATORY (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Pharmaceutical Prescriptions

"The Partnership for Prescription Assistance bus stopped in Elko Monday as part of a national bus tour dubbed 'Help is Here.'”

Prescription Assistance Bus (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Nevada Utilities

"Government officials on Tuesday announced a record $90 million settlement with Nevada Power Co. over alleged air pollution and pollution record-keeping violations at three coal-fired power plant units northeast of Las Vegas."

$90 MILLION AGREEMENT: Utility, government settling -- Nevada Power plans to upgrade, to pay fine (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Courtroom Recreations

"Nevada's Supreme Court justices heard arguments Tuesday in a case that could decide the future of re-enactment photos and computer-generated evidence in trials."

Justices hear debate over staged photos: Photo with police officer posing as suspect prejudicial, defender says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Vacant US Attorney Position

"'We're already at the end of March,' Bogden said last week. 'It has been two months (since he announced his departure date). The office is heading into a state of flux.'"

Former U.S. attorney concerned no permanent replacement named (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Clark County Commission Corruption Cases

"Six days before he is scheduled to report to prison, former Clark County Commissioner Lance Malone reached out to the community and apologized for his role in the political corruption case that gripped the city for four years."

Malone apologizes to county residents (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Wants More Investigation

DA tells Vegas police to investigate more before Pacman charged (Associated Press article)

Not Guilty, But Fired Anyway

Police fire acquitted sergeant (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Help From Across The Line

Washoe, Placer deputies offer aid across state lines (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada's Working Men And Women

Labor Union Negotiations In Southern Nevada

"Although the pace is typical of early negotiations, casino industry insiders say the Culinary is growing impatient. As a result, it is making a strategic move intended to pressure MGM Mirage. The union is entering separate negotiations today with another industry giant, Harrah's Entertainment."

Impatient Culinary puts screws to MGM Mirage (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Culture

The Garden And The Library

Project would create garden for children at library (Nevada Appeal article)

The Velocity Sutra

VEGAS GRAND PRIX: Fast cars to slow traffic downtown -- Commuters should prepare for closed streets and detours this week (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Detours ahead downtown: Streets make way for Vegas Grand Prix (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Destruction By Fire

"The modular building was torched and, according to The Associated Press, Hof stood by and lamented: 'This is a historic moment. The Mustang Ranch represents the best and the worst things about prostitution in Nevada.'"

BILL ROBERTS: Another brothel set ablaze (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

The Glittering Lights Of The Las Vegas Strip

"When asked about the early days of the Tropicana and its ties to reputed mobsters Frank Costello or Johnny Roselli, Spinosa glosses over the subject and moves right into talking about how the property was the classiest casino on the Strip when it opened. His eyes widen when he discusses Old Vegas and how things used to be."

TROPICANA ON HIS MIND: Manager recalls opening 50 years ago (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada Test Site

March for peace results in citations (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Sen. Reid

"Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid had a message for the president Tuesday: 'Let's get real.'"

Bush, Democrats play blame game over war funding: Reid says Democrats will push ahead on bill that includes provisions for troop withdrawal (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Reid: America Cannot Afford Bush Strategy Any Longer (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Senator visits Las Vegas to inspect readiness center: Reid helped secure funding for the new Army National Guard facility (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

New National Guard Readiness Center Will Help Protect Nevadans (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Rep. Berkley

"Bucking her party's leadership, Rep. Shelley Berkley on Tuesday said she does not agree with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's decision to travel to Syria and meet with President Bashar Assad."

Berkley objects to Pelosi's talks with Syria's Assad (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Rep. Heller

"'Congress should not set arbitrary timetables and reckless dates for withdrawal that accomplish nothing but to enhance and empower the enemy,' said Heller, who last week voted against a Democrat-backed war spending measure requiring that troops come home before September 2008."

Heller tells state Legislature generals should run Iraq war (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Saying the troops in Iraq don't need 535 generals, Rep. Dean Heller told the Nevada Legislature on Tuesday that Congress should stick to the question whether to continue funding the war."

Heller defends war stance (Nevada Appeal article)

National Health Matters

Shortchanging nation's kids: President balks at expanding a program that provides children with health insurance (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

National Energy Policy

"Nations may suffer severe economic, social and political effects if they remain unprepared for the time when maximum oil production is reached, according to a speaker for the Truckee Meadows Livable Communities Series."

Speaker says nations must prepare for life after plentiful oil (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Global Warming

"I just can't resist one more whack at the global warming hornet's nest. This column is dedicated to the faithful readers of this column who have raised objections to my earlier observations about global warming."

'The Great Global Warming Swindle' (Ed Iverson column, Lahontan Valley News)

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

April 5, 2007

[5:30 PM]

"April is the cruellest month" -- T. S. Eliot, The Waste Land (1922)

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

The Right To Elect Public Officials

"In response to ballot questions, Sparks voters have said more than once that they do not want an appointed city attorney; they'd prefer to elect one. Their wishes should be honored."

Closing eyes to voters' will amounts to breach of trust (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Inadequate State Regulation Of The Mortgage Industry

More Horror Stories

2007 LEGISLATURE: Panel told of lending 'lies, fraud' -- Southern Nevadans relate stories of losing their homes (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Tip Pooling

"You've got casino mogul Steve Wynn as a wholly unlikely socialist, redistributing wealth amid employees. You've got a state assemblyman making a one-man stand against casinos with a bill to curb management meddling in tips. And, irony of ironies, you've got dealers looking well beyond Las Vegas -- where organized labor still has an actual pulse -- for help."

Better shop around: Dealers forced to wander far and wide to find a union to help them organize (Las Vegas CityLife article)

The Governor Of Nevada

From The Office Of The Governor

“'Nevadans deserve and must have safe and efficient highways and roads,' said Governor Gibbons. 'Our state’s tremendous growth has presented challenges in meeting those needs. These distinguished leaders have agreed to evaluate transportation projects, using innovative public-private partnerships.'”

Governor Gibbons Names Public-Private Partnership Panel (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

The Usual "Plenty Of Nothing Stories"

"Jim and Dawn Gibbons paid for their own flights and expenses on the weeklong trip they took with Fatih and Eren Ozmen, owners of Sierra Nevada Corp., and two other couples, said Andrew Blum, spokesman for Washington, D.C., lawyer Abbe David Lowell."

EXOTIC VACATIONS: Gibbons 2000 trip revealed -- Defense contractor owners, couple traveled to Turkey (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

State Judiciary

Judicial Reform

"In a news release issued Wednesday by the Nevada Supreme Court, Maupin was quoted as saying that the new commission 'will examine a number of issues involving access to court records and the need to balance public access with critical private interests.'"

High court creates board to study public access (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Sorry, TNO readers -- The Nevada Supreme Court doesn't have the news release on its website yet or you'd be able to see it here.

The Nevada State Bar

"Nevada has seen its share of lawyers gone bad."

State Bar pays big for bad lawyers: Defrauded clients get reimbursed after greed gets the best of attorneys (Las Vegas Sun article)

Drug Paraphernalia

"Nevada Gaming Control Board members issued a policy letter late Wednesday alerting slot route operators and restricted gambling licensees that the board plans to enforce state laws pertaining to the sale of drug paraphernalia. This move could further hurt the bottom lines of operators already stung by the state’s smoking ban."

Slot operators may be hit by Control Board drug policy: Gibbons appointee spearheads new hard-line stance (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Local Government

The City And County Of Carson

Child Abuse

Pinwheels to symbolize Carson City's abused children (Nevada Appeal article)

"The victims of child abuse often carry the emotional scars throughout their lives, and frequently pass them on to their children. It's a cycle that won't be easy to break, but the battle is worth fighting. And there is a lot you can do."

422 reminders that your help is needed (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Public Maintenance Of Private Property

"The Landscape Maintenance Ordinance targets areas within developments that would be used by the public, such as parks, trails, common areas, and landscaping and lighting along public streets."

Board to discuss city maintenance of private land (Nevada Appeal article)

Churchill County

"Nevada First Lady Dawn Gibbons told staff and clients at New Frontier Treatment Center Wednesday she would do whatever she can to help save a program that rehabilitates addicted mothers."

Dawn Gibbons tours fire site (Lahontan Valley News article)

"Ted Lemasney, field manager for the firm, said a catastrophe team worked 15 hours a day Friday, Saturday and Sunday to restore client files and records needed immediately by the drug and alcohol treatment center."

Cleanup of New Frontier fire a multi-week process (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

City Of Las Vegas

Williams appointed interim councilwoman: Representing Ward 5 until general election (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Waiting For Ivanpah

"The city of Las Vegas appears close to dropping its legal fight against the right turn flight path out of McCarran International Airport, as it delayed making a formal decision on continuing the costly legal fight for two weeks."

City delays vote on right turn path: Legal fight against airport, FAA may end soon (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Parks & Recreation

Ex-Felon State Park

"The park is made up in part of 680 acres of state land that the state is handing over to the city at the end of June. That includes the park's core, where people can fish, picnic and ride on equestrian trails."

Floyd Lamb park plan adopted, but city lacks development funds (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

North Las Vegas City Parks

North Las Vegas applies for funds to pay for parks: City seeks $50 million through the Southern Nevada Public Land Management Act (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Elko County

"The first land sale at the Northeastern Nevada Regional Railport is nearly finalized, after the Elko County Commission agreed to a contract Wednesday afternoon to sell 44 acres at its industrial park for $440,000 to the Pacific Steel and Recycling Company."

Commissioners agree to first railport sale (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Nevada Politics

Of Change And Conformity

"There's an old saying that people get the government they deserve. If the crime, drugs and education rankings are to be believed, it's apparent Nevadans deserve better than the government they're getting. The question is, do we have the collective will or wherewithal to begin this much-needed transformation?"

Transformation to a better Nevada will take courage, commitment (Lahontan Valley News editorial)

"So, to all of my fellow teens--to the smart, the dumb, the trendsetters, the coattail riders, the conformists and the rebels--educate yourselves in any form you please. Whatever form of knowledge you choose, use that knowledge to your advantage. Have your own educated opinion, speak up and stand out. Don't conform to other people's stupidity."

Against conformity (Isaac Rubin column, Reno News & Review)

Lies

The system chokes on lies (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)

Municipal Elections

What Happens When Schools Stopped Teaching Civics

"There's only one word to describe Tuesday's municipal primary election turnout: abysmal. Just 15 percent of registered voters -- not residents of legal voting age, mind you -- actually bothered to vote sometime in the past three weeks."

ERIN NEFF: An ominous sign for state caucus (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

"In Las Vegas and North Las Vegas, the turnout was a dismal 15 percent. In Henderson, it was even worse, only a pitiful 11 percent."

Nevada's Wretched Campaign Finance Laws -- Result: Government Of, By And For Our Oligarchs

"In the 60-year-old retired postal worker's eyes, the big money and incumbency had won again in North Las Vegas. The casinos bet the right candidate and the developers knew where their bread gets buttered."

Big money still rears its head in NLV election (Las Vegas Sun article)

Voters noticeable by their absence (Las Vegas Sun article)

Boulder City

Council candidate out but not down in Boulder City: Recalculation puts salon owner out of race (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

City Of Fallon

"We applaud those who give their time to serve our community and those who are willing to pursue that work through their time and resources. We hope to see a few more candidates file before Friday and that this year's city election is characterized by clean campaigning and discussion of pertinent issues."

Diversity of candidates makes a better election (Lahontan Valley News editorial)

City Of Las Vegas

"'It is what it is,' he said of the results."

Goodman leaking support? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

State Democratic Party

Derby heads Democrats: Defeated U.S. House candidate Jill Derby was elected to chair the Nevada Democratic Party last weekend (Reno News & Review article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

The Chancellor Speaks

Chancellor to governor: Hands off higher ed! (Vegas Pundit)

Public Schools

"Carson, Washoe and Clark county school districts have appealed a state ruling that accused them of double billing Medicaid services."

School districts appeal Medicaid ruling (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County School District

More Flailing Dysfunction

"Which brings us to the teachers' faux union, the Clark County Education Association. For years Taylor was a loyal dues-paying member, until they recently kicked him out. For speaking up."

Suicide mission man (Chip Mosher column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

SNWA The Water Moloch: The More It Takes, The More It Needs

"The same day that environmentalists attacked a bill in the Nevada Legislature to limit public access to water appropriation decisions, the people who control the floodgates of the Southwestern dam system milled around the Sierra Room of the Henderson Convention Center, waiting for a concerned public to arrive. Six people finally did."

Five options on tap in case water dries up: Southern Nevada favors the plan that involves a mix of banking and credits (Las Vegas Sun article)

The Colorado River And Lake Mead

"Forecasters now predict barely half of an average year's flow for the river system that fills Lake Mead and supplies most of Las Vegas' drinking water."

COLORADO RIVER: Hopes for lake refill melt away -- Early spring, vanishing snow reduce water supply forecast (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

"After making a name for itself by alerting health officials to lead-tainted candy on local store shelves, UNLV's School of Public Health will expand its scope of testing for chemical poisoning with the help of a new $500,000 laboratory."

VYING FOR RESEARCH GRANTS: New lab brings high hopes -- UNLV facility to widen testing for poisons (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Troubled University Medical Center

"A legislative proposal to create an appointed board to oversee the operation of University Medical Center would create more bureaucracy and provide less accountability to the public, the opposite of what is needed to get the hospital back on track, Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid said Wednesday."

Rory Reid testifies against UMC oversight board bill: Chairman says County Commission best equipped to restore hospital (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Pacman Prosecution

Police to investigate NFL player further: More charges possible in Minxx shooting (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Rumored Harrah's Acquisition

EU approves Harrah’s buyout; Ameristar makes Chicago purchase: Shareholder vote on Harrah's matter expected shortly (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Harrah's shareholders to vote on buyout: Simple majority needed to OK deal (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Fabulous Flamingo

Not going anywhere for a while: Flamingo undergoes overhaul, but exec has no desire to rebuild (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Slot Cheats: Rats In The Storehouse

Law aims to stay step ahead of casino cheats, official says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Communication

A Different Kind Of Brain

"'We are dealing with a fundamentally different child than we ever have,' says Joe Elcano, director of educational technology for Washoe County Schools. 'They process things incredibly quickly. I've seen brain scans of kids who've grown up with the Internet, and their brains are actually different.'"

Generation Internet: For teens today, there’s no such thing as life before the Internet (Reno News & Review article)

Website Proliferation

What happens in Vegas ... goes on the Web: Tattletale sites out everyone from bad drivers to litterbugs (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Eye in the sky: Who knows what land-flipping lurks in the hearts of Vegas developers? Mark Adams does (Las Vegas CityLife article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Visions Of The Past And The Future

"The images capture a city growing beyond its means, gouging the land, building sprawling homes in themed communities. They portray neighborhoods in transition, dumping and the reshaping of topography through suburban development."

Vegas' obsession with growth captured for others to see (Las Vegas Sun article)

Living The Nightmare

"The problems blighted communities face are too urgent - gang violence, rampant drug abuse, code enforcement - to be constantly swept under the rug by politicians who somehow think they have better things to do."

Cities, heal thyselves: Proposal for state to intervene on blight shows the right spirit but is wrong solution (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

"WHEN CITY OFFICIALS TALK about renovating or reinvigorating downtown Las Vegas, they seem most interested in attracting new businesses and erecting new condo towers. That's fine and dandy, but as someone who's lived in the downtown area for many years, I sure wish more could be done to save what's left of older, even historic neighborhoods. Frankly, they are under assault. Mine in particular."

History (and sanity) under siege downtown (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)

Touring Tonopah

"Once you get about 20 miles away, the lights of Tonopah stretch across its mountain perch to make ... a necklace. A perfect, symmetrical, unmistakable necklace of light, twinkling away in the clear, dark sky, mostly golden but with a few ruby, diamond and emerald highlights."

Tonopah jewels (Bruce Van Dyke column, Reno News & Review)

__________

Nevada's Past

Horrible

"Century-old grave markers in the Silver City Cemetery were damaged by a work crew from juvenile probation who were told to clean up the area."

Historic cemetery damaged (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Immigration Reform

"A year and a half after Gagandeep Suri passed his citizenship exam, a mailman came to the doctor's house at the end of a Las Vegas cul-de-sac with a letter informing him he could go downtown to the federal courthouse and be sworn in as a citizen."

Quest to become American: Background checks can take years as applicants wait to be sworn in (Las Vegas Sun article)

Global Warming

"We support the states that brought the petition and are heartened by the Supreme Court's decision. The EPA not only has the unquestionable authority to regulate the emissions that are accelerating global warming and its detrimental effects, but now also has an undeniable duty to do so."

Clearing the air: High court rightly sides with states that sought EPA regulation of greenhouse gases (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

High Court Rebukes Bush on Car Pollution (Associated Press article)

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

Keeping the lines straight: There’s a lot of misinformation circulating about U.S. attorneys during the current controversy (Reno News & Review article)

Gonzales Preps for Showdown With Senate (Associated Press article)

Our Bloated National Budget

Monthly Budget Review, April 2007 (Congressional Budget Office website)

Internal Revenue Service: Interim Results of the 2007 Tax Filing Season and the Fiscal Year 2008 Budget Request GAO-07-673, April 3, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

First Responders: Much Work Remains to Improve Communications Interoperability GAO-07-301, April 2, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

DHS Multi-Agency Operation Centers Would Benefit from Taking Further Steps to Enhance Collaboration and Coordination GAO-07-686R, April 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Tactical Aircraft: DOD Needs a Joint and Integrated Investment Strategy GAO-07-415, April 2, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Disability Programs: SSA Has Taken Steps to Address Conflicting Court Decisions, but Needs to Manage Data Better on the Increasing Number of Court Remands GAO-07-331, April 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Internal Control: Improvements Needed in SEC's Accounting and Operational Procedures GAO-07-482R, April 3, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Freedom And The Federal Government

Travel Restrictions

U.S. Issues Record Number of Passports (Associated Press article)

Aviation Security: Cost Estimates Related to TSA Funding of Checked Baggage Screening Systems at Los Angeles and Ontario Airports GAO-07-445, March 30, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

The Right To Privacy

FCC Adopts New Phone Privacy Rules (Associated Press article)

Treatment Of Persons Detained By US Authorities

Supreme Court Denies Guantánamo Appeal (New York Times article)

Veterans Affairs

"Johnathan Abbinett has been beaten, cut, shot, wracked, packed and medevaced."

The war comes home: After the fighting's over, veterans find themselves battling on the home front for health care (Las Vegas CityLife article)

"A federal investigation confirmed what private security guard and whistle-blower Andrew Martin-Smith told Rep. Jon Porter in February. Yes, confidential patient and personnel files were dumped in the trash bin behind the Department of Veterans Affairs' West Clinic at 630 Rancho Drive. The reason: human error."

JANE ANN MORRISON: Case closed in dumping of VA files, but worries, questions remain (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Veterans group to continue Memorial Day tradition (Nevada Appeal article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

"Rockets. Satellites. Missiles. Global positioning systems. What is the military's role in space?"

Space cowboys: An air force general discusses the next step in taming the wild frontier of outer space (Las Vegas CityLife article)

04/04/2007: Radio Interview with Secretary Gates on the Laura Ingraham Show (US Department of Defense website)

04/03/2007: Special DoD News Briefing With Under Secretary Edelman From the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va (US Department of Defense website)

Gates: Still ‘So Far, So Good’ in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Officials Emphasize Zero Tolerance of Sexual Assault (American Forces Press Service article)

Stretched Army Sends Troops Back to Iraq (Associated Press article)

From The Office Of The President

President Bush Makes Remarks on the Emergency Supplemental (White House website)

Setting The Record Straight: Sen. Reid's Misleading Comments About Iraq Funding -- Military Leaders Have Made Clear Our Troops Immediately Need Emergency Funds (White House website)

Bush: Troops’ Hard Work in Iraq Will Impact the World (American Forces Press Service article)

Bush: Delay in War Funds Will Hurt Military Readiness, Morale (American Forces Press Service article)

Apr. 2, 2007 Press Briefing by Dana Perino (White House website)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Forces Discover Weapons Caches in Afghanistan (American Forces Press Service)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

In Congress

Justifying the war: Nevada voters may oppose the Iraq war by two to one, according to a survey last month, but two of Nevada’s congressmembers are still defending their votes for the war (Reno News & Review article)

Tussle Over Iraq Bill Reminds Many of Bitter 1995 (New York Times article)

Reid Says He'll Try to Cut Off War Funds (Associated Press article)

From The Battlefield

"The Iraqi people who are struggling to hang on in the face of almost daily attacks by insurgents know it, as do the Americans who are paying for Bush's folly with their lives and taxes. War supporters such as McCain, however, remain astoundingly ignorant - even when walking through the heart of a bombed-out, war-torn city."

Walking through Baghdad: Senator's stroll was a stunt showing how desperate the war supporters have become (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Forces Capture 39 Suspected Terrorists in Iraq (American Forces Press Service)

Iraqi Forces' Efforts Improve Security in Baghdad, Official Says (American Forces Press Service)

Criminal Trials Open Window for Reconciliation in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

13 Terrorists Killed In Iraq, 14 Detained; Weapons Found (American Forces Press Service article)

Soldier, Marine Die in Iraq; DoD Identifies Previous Casualties (American Forces Press Service article)

Baghdad ‘Surge’ Produces Early Successes, Official Says (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraqis Show Confidence in Security Forces (American Forces Press Service article)

The Middle East

"Last year, a bipartisan commission known as the Iraq Study Group recommended the United States launch a new diplomatic initiative with Syria and Iran. The Bush administration rejected the idea. Ms. Pelosi apparently wishes to reverse that decision."

Speaker undercuts America overseas: Pelosi's trip to Syria sends the wrong message (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

A Federal Reader

50 Fastest-Growing Metro Areas Concentrated in West and South (US Census Bureau Press Release)

Nuclear Nonproliferation: Progress Made in Improving Security at Russian Nuclear Sites, but the Long-term Sustainability of U.S.-Funded Security Upgrades Is Uncertain GAO-07-404, February 28, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Homeland Security: Information on Training New Border Patrol Agents GAO-07-540R, March 30, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

A Review of CBO's Activities in 2006 Under the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, April 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

Forces That Will Shape America's Future: Themes from GAO's Strategic Plan, 2007-2012 GAO-07-467SP, March 30, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

GAO Strategic Plan, 2007-2012 GAO-07-1SP, March 30, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

An Assessment of Dependent Care Needs of Federal Workers Using the Office of Personnel Management's Survey GAO-07-437R, March 30, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

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

April 6-7, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Woodrow Barlettani, Experiment in Self-Government (click on image to enlarge)

The State Budget

Gibbons fights back on budget issues (Nevada Appeal article)

Nevada governor questioned about budget reductions (Associated Press article)

"The courts and the university system have both sent letters to the governor's office protesting his orders they cut two-thirds of their requested enhancements to help the state through its budget shortfall."

Courts and university protest budget cuts (Nevada Appeal article)

Deadline Ahead

2007 Nevada Legislature hits a Friday the 13th deadline (Associated Press article)

Nevada's Wretched, Toothless Campaign Finance Laws

"Atkinson Gates' links to money that flowed to her family and friends during her years on the County Commission have drawn the attention of Metro Police. Detectives are investigating whether Atkinson Gates illegally funneled money to relatives and close associates, according to sources familiar with the probe."

Atkinson Gates scrutiny grows: She voted to give money to controversial group without declaring ties (Las Vegas Sun article)

"Former Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates, who in her 2004 reelection directed more than $356,000 in campaign funds to her 21-year-old son, future daughter-in-law and their company, also boosted her county assistant's salary with more than $46,000 in political donations in that race."

Two bosses, two paychecks, possible conflict (Las Vegas Sun article)

Open Government: The Right To Know What You're Paying For

"A bill that would clarify when the Tax Commission could go into closed session to hear an appeal by a taxpayer was supported by state officials and a press representative in a hearing before the Senate Taxation Committee on Thursday."

CONFIDENTIAL VS. PUBLIC: Tax panel meetings debated -- Officials seek new process to decide on closed sessions (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada Highways

It's All His Fault

"There could be gridlock between the Legislature and Gov. Jim Gibbons on how to solve the expected shortfall of at least $3.8 billion to pay for critical highway construction over the next eight years, and that could lead to little, if anything, being done this session."

Avoiding gridlock: With Gov. Jim Gibbons lacking a plan, the Legislature must address traffic congestion (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Jon Ralston on Politics: Roads lead to LV senators (In Business Las Vegas column)

Bullet Trains

"As Nevada lawmakers remain stuck in neutral on funding for the state's dire transportation needs, a bullet train on a test run sped through the French countryside on Tuesday at a blistering 357.2 mph, a world record for conventional rail."

Bullet train vs. budget deficit: While Nevada wonders how to pay for roads, France shows off a new rail wonder (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Retro-Government Toll Road Profiteering

"Congestion can be reduced and state money made available for other road projects if private funds are used to construct two to four additional lanes adjacent to I-15 between Las Vegas and Barstow or Victorville, according to Porter."

Porter backs I-15 toll lanes: Lawmaker urges private construction as remedy for highway congestion (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

For Whom The Road Tolls (Desert Beacon)

Health Measures

"A bill that would provide $6.4 million toward autism treatment and education in Nevada passed through the Committee on Health and Human Services on Friday."

Panel OKs bill to help autistic kids (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Living with autism: Local couple seeks support group for parents of children with disabilities (Lahontan Valley News article)

AB525

Nevada lawmaker's bill sparks abortion debate (Associated Press article)

State Prisons And Prisoners

The Problem Of Overcrowding

"Crowding in Nevada's prisons has become so serious that the federal government might take over the prison system unless the problem is resolved soon."

Too many prisoners: Threat of takeover might give Gibbons more budget muscle (Las Vegas Sun article)

"It would be nice if there were a solution to the state's overcrowded prisons that was good for both the budget and the residents of the state."

Residents ought to be concerned about prisoner releases (Nevada Appeal editorial)

Wants More Punishment

"Clark County's chief District Court judge told a Nevada Senate committee that state lawmakers should expand a pilot program that allows repeat DUI offenders to avoid prison time if they undergo a strict treatment program and live under house arrest."

Three times and in (prison): Program allowing three-time DUI offenders to avoid prison isn't the right approach (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

What Legislators Do When They Want To Avoid Fixing State Roads And Schools

A Waste Of Time And Resources In America's Most Dangerous State

LOOKING IN ON: CARSON CITY -- Buckle up or get stopped and pay, governor agrees (Las Vegas Sun article)

SB42

Political Correctness

"Religious activists testified against a bill Friday that they contend could force churches to hire atheists."

Some fear bill would violate religious tenets: Sponsor says it better defines discrimination (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)1`

AB442

"With limited exceptions, the bill would require all official state proceedings to be conducted in English, require the public records of the state to be made available in English only and require publications to be printed in English only. The legislation would not affect local government entities."

SENATE PANEL: English-only bill heard -- Sides present strong responses to measure (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada lawmaker accused of racism for English-only bill (Associated Press article)

SB325

 Billboards Are Forever

"Existing and new billboards will be able to stay up forever without review by cities or counties under a proposed law making its way through the Nevada Assembly."

Everywhere a sign under proposed law: City vows to fight billboard industry (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

AB438

Pets In Cars

"If the SB329 is made into law, it would make it a misdemeanor for a person to allow a dog or cat to remain unattended in a parked or standing car during a period of extreme heat or cold."

Bill would stiffen laws on transporting pets (Nevada Appeal article)

Deregulation Of Government Chartered Pay-TV Monopolies

"AB526 would end the requirement that video service providers -- the industry already is far more than "cable" today -- negotiate a franchise agreement with every city or county in Nevada where they want to do business. Instead companies would need only obtain a single license from the state, much as other utilities do, and then could offer their services anywhere in the state."

Free cable TV providers from local regulators (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Can We Talk?

Teleconferences open doors to state's legislative process (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The State Judiciary

Judicial Reform

"'Things look pretty bad for our courts in Nevada,' Samahon said."

ELECTION VS. APPOINTMENT: Experts dissect judicial selection bill -- Solution sought to avoid special interest conflicts (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

New Nevada appeals court, appointed judges proposed (Associated Press article)

"At a meeting of the Assembly Judiciary Committee, the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, the Nevada Press Association and an organization that represents trial lawyers echoed committee members in supporting Assembly Bill 519, which would establish rules for judges when they consider sealing a lawsuit from public view."

Bill to limit judges' power to seal records supported: Committee members, officials back measure (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada bill requires stricter standards for sealing court records (Associated Press article)

AB519

Judicial Vacancy

Vacant district judgeship attracts wealth of applicants (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Problems Of Child Abuse And Other Domestic Violence

Council planting pinwheels today (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

"More than 300 people joined in the second annual Victim Awareness Walk sponsored by support services to victims of the Fallon Paiute-Shoshone Tribe and Walker River Paiute Tribe on Friday."

More than 300 attend violence awareness walk (Lahontan Valley News article)

Pinwheels spin as reminder of child abuse (Nevada Appeal article)

"During 2006, Nye County had 391 reports of child abuse and neglect."

Pinwheels on display (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Pinwheels recall thousands of abuse cases (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

"Nye County School Superintendent Rob Roberts said it made sense to appoint him to Gov. Jim Gibbons' methamphetamine working group."

Roberts cites meth for some of developmentally disabled (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

"Lawyers for Clark County bar and tavern owners first challenged Question 5 in District Court in December, arguing that it was unconstitutional and unfairly banned smoking in some businesses while allowing it in others. The law makes an exception for casinos."

Smoke ruling faces appeal: Tavern owners file notice with court (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Our State Tourism Industry

"The world is coming to Las Vegas and tourism leaders from across the state are preparing to show off the wide-open spaces that greatly contrast with the dense cities world travelers come from."

Tourism and Gaming: Rural Nevada prepares to embrace foreign visitors (In Business Las Vegas article)

Hispanic Holiday

"Anything we can do as a nation to understand and celebrate our cultural diversity and the efforts of those, like Dr. King and Mr. Chavez, who demonstrate the courage and conviction to stand up for the disenfranchised and downtrodden, will encourage others to do the same."

Does Cesar Chavez deserve a national holiday? (Rick Swarts column, Lahontan Valley News)

Local Government

Churchill County

Just A Sprig, But Yet A Prig

"The fact that a brothel can operate in Churchill County is a joke. An embarrassment. An antiquated eyesore. The sooner prostitution is banned in our county, the better."

Legal prostitution is an antiquated joke (Josh Johnson column, Lahontan Valley News)

Clark County

Ex-Felon State Park

"Would Las Vegans today stand for a Dario Herrera County Park? Or an Erin Kenny Elementary School? Not a chance."

Name change (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

City Of Las Vegas

"Sooner or later, a major professional sports league's desire to tap one of the fastest-growing, most dynamic markets in the nation will trump its concerns over Las Vegas' dominant industry. And that time is fast approaching regardless of whether this latest proposal satisfies the NBA."

Ball now back in NBA's court: Las Vegas proposal doesn't include gambling restrictions (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

PURSUING PRO SPORTS FRANCHISE: City to NBA: Betting will stay -- Goodman's letter to league defends legal wagering (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

McCarran Airport

"McCarran International Airport was ready to open the doors of a new rental-car facility that will consolidate companies in one place, take traffic off the roads around the airport and allow the existing baggage-claim area to be expanded."

Car rental hub ready to roll (In Business Las Vegas article)

The Real Estate Market

"Is there a shortage of land for residential development on the horizon that could lead to Congress expanding the disposal boundary outside of the Las Vegas Valley?"

Real Estate and Development: Debate emerges over need to free up BLM land (In Business Las Vegas article)

"Southern Nevada’s housing market continued its year-long downward slide into March, with fewer sales, more listings and softening prices, reports the Greater Las Vegas Association of Realtors."

Housing woes continue in March (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Developing Stories

Commercial Center sells for $17 million (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Slum Apartments

"The inspectors work under a system that responds to complaints. Attempts at building a system with proactive, annual inspections and penalties for failing collapsed last year after Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said requiring owners to pay into a system and undergo regular inspections would be a burden."

Story changes, squalor doesn't (Las Vegas Sun article)

Douglas County

County Affairs

"An effort to shore up Douglas County's sagging tourist industry could mean a 2-percent increase in the transient occupancy tax, levied on room rentals of 30 days or less."

Tax proposed to shore up Stateline tourism business (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Chamber Of Commerce

"Both the president and the executive director of the Carson Valley Chamber of Commerce announced they were leaving the organization on Wednesday."

Chamber losing both president and director (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Minden

"Frustration over 14 years of waylaid plans to resolve downtown Minden's parking problems boiled over Wednesday with town board member Dave Sheets apologizing to residents 'for not getting the job done.'"

Garage plans frustrate Minden (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Elko County

County Affairs

"AB 348 would adjust the district’s boundaries so they are consistent with Elko County’s voting precincts, Carpenter said. The ECVA district currently splits four voting precincts — Jack Creek, Mountain City, North Fork and Mary’s River — which creates difficulties for the Elko County Clerk’s office during election cycles."

Carpenter proposes revision to ECVA voting district (Elko Free Press article)

AB348

"The Elko County Commission has approved a plan for a 35,000-square foot, multi-level county office building that will centralize county operations and prepare the county for growth over the next 20 years."

County Annex: Project to cost $13 million (Elko Free Press article)

City Of Elko

"Residents have just two meetings left to voice their concerns before Elko City Council votes to raise the sewer and water rates and room tax for fiscal year 2007-08."

Council set to vote on tentative 2007-08 budget (Elko Free Press article)

Developing Story

"Private property rights for a proposed subdivision in Starr Valley are in conflict with neighbors who feel the project will destroy their ranching way of life."

Starr Valley Showdown: Neighbors oppose subdivision of ranch land (Elko Free Press article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

"Having a "one-stop-shop" to handle all building permit needs in Incline Village makes good sense, especially considering how many local agencies need to sign-off on a given project. But smart as the model may be in theory, staff at the local Washoe County Building and Safety Department office say the convenience has been undermined by operating out of tight facilities with limited parking for the last 15 years."

Washoe County offices move into old library building (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

"The Incline Village/Crystal Bay Citizens Advisory Board gave the go-ahead Wednesday to a group of residents to come up with local nuisance guidelines."

Citizens to create nuisance guides (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Lyon County

City Of Yerington

Lyon agrees to give Yerington share of consolidated taxes (Nevada Appeal article)

Community Of Mound House

Mound House milling operation approved temporarily: Mine owner has to prove compliance in six months (Nevada Appeal article)

Troubled Silver Springs General Improvement District

Lyon County begins process to dissolve Silver Springs GID (Nevada Appeal article)

Nye County

County Affairs

"Nye County commissioners Tuesday voted to negotiate with the current medical provider of the Beatty and Amargosa Valley clinics, Nevada Health Centers, instead of going out for proposals to seek other firms."

Beatty, Amargosa: Nye to negotiate with health outfit (Pahrump Valley Times article)

"Nye County Commissioner Joni Eastley pushed hard Tuesday for approval of an agreement re-designating the Economic Development Authority of Esmeralda and Nye Counties (EDEN) as the county's official development authority, but she was persuaded by two Pahrump-based commissioners to postpone the decision until a Pahrump hearing."

Nye won't bite EDEN apple (Pahrump Valley Times article)

"Nye County Commissioner Joni Eastley, commenting that the Calvada Meadows Airport was a private airport not public, convinced commissioners recently to refer a requested rezoning for aviation-related businesses back to the Pahrump Regional Planning Commission."

Commission says Calvada Meadows airstrip is private (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Town Of Pahrump

Washoe County

City Of Sparks

A Feud Too Long

"The city manager's office issued a statement Thursday morning criticizing Adams for saying the city council favored the bill and that the bill would allow the city attorney not to be a member of the State Bar of Nevada."

Feud between Adams, officials escalates (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Corruption? In Nevada?

Nye County Commission Corruption Case

"Residents interested in hearing any lurid details about possible sex and corruption scandals in Nye County will have to wait at least a few more months."

Richards case postponed until August (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Politics

State Republican Party

Republicans move closer to playing caucus catch-up (Las Vegas Sun article)

Municipal Elections

"Municipal offices serve important functions. They shouldn't be chosen by a tiny fraction of the population when they serve everyone in their jurisdictions. And municipalities should be seeking out even the smallest ways to reduce their constituents' ever-growing tax burdens." Voter turnout and election consolidation:

Why don't we all go to the polls just once every two years? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

City Of Elko

Four new city candidates file before deadline (Elko Free Press article)

City Of Ely

George Chachas ousted from Ely mayor's race (Ely Times article)

"The most obvious answer is that Ely voters want to see a change in how the mayor and city council work together."

As We See It: What does the election mean? (Ely Times editorial)

City Of Fallon

Another candidate files for City Council seat (Lahontan Valley News article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

In The Legislature

"Chancellor Jim Rogers pleaded with Gov. Jim Gibbons not to reduce new funding for the Nevada System of Higher Education, saying the action would force the system's two universities to eliminate faculty and class sections."

Chancellor Rogers makes plea for funding of higher education (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"'The governor has seen the letter and reaffirmed the fact that we all have to make sacrifices to ensure that we live within our means,' press secretary Melissa Subbotin said Thursday. 'He has requested across-the-board reductions from state agencies.'"

Enough already with the cuts to colleges: State's chancellor sets up a showdown with the governor (Las Vegas Sun article)

Sierra Nevada College

Ready, set, build - Sierra College plans big expansion (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Great Basin College

Vice president named at Great Basin College (Associated Press article)

Public Schools

In The Legislature

A Decrease In The Increase

"Assembly Ways and Means Chairman Morse Arberry said Thursday the governor's proposed education budgets add only $13 million in new money over the biennium."

Arberry says governor shorting education budgets (Nevada Appeal article)

“My budget requests add $81,000,000 to K-12 education to replace lost county revenue, and it still increases the higher education budget by $153,000,000 in state funds—even after reductions in enhancements. I have made it clear that I am protecting K-12 education as well as transportation construction and child welfare enhancements. It is time to stop engaging in hyperbole and start looking at the facts,” said Governor Gibbons.

GOVERNOR GIBBONS REBUTS FALSE CLAIMS OF EDUCATION BUDGET CUTS (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

Clark County School District

A Rough Estimate

"Implementing computer software to streamline the Clark County School District's accounting and business functions could cost the school system up to $17 million more than projected."

$33 million plus $17 million: Problems push school district computer system over budget (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

From Employee To Consultant

How soon is not too soon to return as a consultant? Clark County School Board considers crackdown on those breaking 12-month cooling-off period (Las Vegas Sun article)

Douglas County School District

Stateline conference next week to focus on bicycles and schools (Nevada Appeal article)

Grant money for tutors runs out soon (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Lyon County School District

Lyon school trustees take superintendent disputes to mediation (Nevada Appeal article)

Nye County School District

"The board unanimously approved applying for a state-level grant that would be used to help start a construction trade class."

School board to seek trade grant (Pahrump Valley Times article)

"As Josh Spradlin pieces together a model of a carbohydrate in one of the new learning modules at Rosemary Clarke Middle School, he explains why he looks forward to going to science class."

New lab heats things up at school (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

Erik Holland, Mother Nature Café (click on image to enlarge)

The Colorado River

"'We're going to have a miserable water year because a lot of the snow is already gone,' said Tom Ryan, a hydrologist for the Bureau of Reclamation's upper Colorado River Basin office in Salt Lake City. 'These dry, warm spring conditions are killers for water supplies.'"

Colorado River to flow at only half of normal level (Ely Times article)

The Truckee River

"The Truckee Meadows Water Authority says it doesn't expect water supply problems this summer - noting that there is still 4.25 feet of the 6.1-foot reservoir on top of Lake Tahoe's natural lake level."

Keep tabs on conserving water (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

"If the plan works, the coordinating committee could become a model for regional cooperation on other planning issues."

Flood committee could become a model (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

"The Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau advised the city that the water-related changes weren't required because the law already allows for public-private partnerships for water matters, said City Manager Linda Ritter."

New water service provisions no longer sought by city (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Too Expensive

"The point of this story? Health care has become so expensive, and I haven't even seen the hospital and doctor bills yet!"

Health care costs a recurring issue (Andy Whyman column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

__________

Nevada Utilities

"Sierra Pacific Resources is in a race to build its coal-fired power plant north of McGill."

Officials say SPR and LS plan don't compete (Ely Times article)

"When a handful of Eastern Nevada property owners resisted SPR's attempts to survey their private lands, an attorney representing the energy company filed suit."

Sierra Pacific officials say they regret suing locals (Ely Times article)

"There's no shortage of tourist attractions in the Las Vegas Valley. But about 25 miles south of Las Vegas, in Boulder City, there's a new attraction: a 64-megawatt solar thermal power plant, the largest solar project built in the world in 15 years."

Solar plant almost set to flip power switch (In Business Las Vegas article)

__________

Nevada Mining

Quadra Mining celebrates three years at Robinson (Ely Times article)

__________

Nevada's Working Men And Women

Labor Union Organizing

Banking and Marketing: Nurse firings are loose ends in labor dispute (In Business Las Vegas article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Tonopah Mining Park

"Shawn Hall turned in his resignation Wednesday as director and curator of the Tonopah Historic Mining Park, shocking some local leaders. 'This is really one of the saddest moments in my life having to be forced into this decision. I always had planned this would be my life's work,' Hall said."

Disappointed, museum chief resigns (Pahrump Valley Times article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Harrah's Acquisition

Harrah’s shareholders approve merger (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Stockholders like Harrah's buyout for $90 per share: $17.1 billion deal still needs regulatory approval (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Harrah's shareholders approve biggest casino buyout ever (Associated Press article)

Tip Pooling

"Steve Wynn told me last week that the Wynn Las Vegas casino tip-sharing arrangement is proving to be as successful as he predicted when it started seven months ago."

Tourism and Gaming: Despite tip-sharing, Wynn dealers still best-paid (In Business Las Vegas article)

The Cal-Neva Lodge

"The "Lady of the Lake" is one step closer to getting a facelift."

Cal Neva will have a brand-new look (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Chinese Gambling Ventures: Handle With Tongs

Macau anti-graft body uncovers wealth of former minister (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Chinese Cemeteries

"Chinese immigrants helped build Nevada's railroads in the last half of the 1800s and many of them stayed on and established Chinatowns in a number of Nevada cities."

Man strives to sustain Chinese cemetery (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Como

"The ghost town of Como can seem very illusive if you weren't aware of how fast a community of miners could grow and decline; sometimes in just a year."

Despite having the will, town of Como just couldn't find its way (Nevada Appeal article)

NNRy

"We're gearing up. Opening Day is a week away and there are hundreds if not thousands of tasks that need to be done in the next week. And our Opening Weekend is also White Pine Weekend. The museum is offering adult residents of White Pine County half price tickets that weekend and better yet, kids get to ride FREE, when accompanied by an adult family member. This is our way of thanking the community for their support."

At the Throttle: Where do all those riders come from? (Mark Bassett column, Ely Times)

"Called the state's “Grandest Railroad Depot” during its construction, the building was first opened to the public in October of 1907."

East Ely Depot Centennial (Ely Times article)

Changing Places

Two old houses relocate to new neighborhood (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Wells Railroad Bridge

End of an Era: Railroad bridge removed — Demolition of 80-year-old truss addresses public safety concern for Wells residents (Elko Free Press article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

"The Department of Energy has reorganized the Yucca Mountain procurement office, two months after the award of a $495,000 consulting contract that has been criticized by lawmakers and challenged by a bidder who was passed over."

Yucca project procurement office altered: Changes take place after protest lodged against award of contract (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Yucca contracts awarded by DOE (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Politics at odds, but Reid likes Bush personally (Associated Press article)

"It's not Dean Heller's fault that he's at the bottom of the power list in Congress."

It's tough being a GOP freshman (Barry Ginter column, Nevada Appeal)

Global Warming

"It's getting harder -- no it's become impossible -- to separate science from conjecture from politics in the “Global Warming” debate."

There are solutions to Earth's warming trend (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)

"It was shockingly refreshing to see the U.S. Supreme Court on Monday issue two rulings favoring environmentalists. Shocking because the rulings came from a court many legal observers consider to be staunchly conservative. And refreshing because it is always an uphill battle to achieve clean air and water, even though this society possesses the know-how to combat pollution."

Pleasant surprises from court: Right-leaning high court renders two decisions favoring controls over pollution (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Apr. 6, 2007 Press Briefing on the Second International Panel on Climate Change Report on Climate Change by Dr. Sharon Hays, White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, Jim Connaughton, Chairman, White House Council on Environmental Quality (White House website)

Climate Change 2007: Climate Change Impacts, Adaptation and Vulnerability - Summary for Policymakers (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report)

Dead Pets

Reid backs plans for pet food hearing: Durbin says contaminated products raise questions about FDA's actions (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Department Works to Improve Acquisition Process (American Forces Press Service article)

Report: NASA Watchdog Too Cozy With Boss (Associated Press article)

Freedom And The Federal Government

The Right Of Privacy

"A 2002 study by the Johns Hopkins University Genetics and Public Policy Center shows that 85 percent of Americans believe that employers should not have access to genetic information."

It's all in the genes: Could new scientific discoveries also subject people to a new type of discrimination? (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

FCC Seeks to Reform 911 Call Tracking (Associated Press article)

Travel Restrictions

"The 37-year-old Orange County, Calif., resident said the officer beat him with a nightstick after England got into an argument with a Transportation Security Administration agent who refused to let England take a soda through the security checkpoint last month. England said he also was shocked three times with a Taser before being taken to jail."

Iraq war veteran tells of beating at airport: Soldier accuses Las Vegas police (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Freedom Of The Press

"Sadly, every time someone gathering news is jailed or threatened with jail, the First Amendment right to free speech and a free press is weakened. Congress should reinforce the First Amendment by passing a law that protects news gatherers from subpoenas."

Quit jailing journalists: Blogger's prison time a sign that Congress must pass a law to protect First Amendment (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Veterans Affairs

"What started out as a vision and a vacant lot overgrown with brush is starting to take shape as the future Pahrump Veteran's Memorial site."

Veterans memorial well on its way (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Reid Tours Veterans Hospital, Meets with Local Veterans (Sen. Reid Press Release)

"U.S. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid spoke to a tough crowd of veterans Thursday in Reno, with one assailing the Nevada Democrat for "irresponsible statements" he has made about the war in Iraq."

Vets ask Reid tough questions (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Gates, Pace Discuss Operations in Iraq, Afghanistan (American Forces Press Service article)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Afghan National Police Repel Taliban Attack (American Forces Press Service article)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

In The Congress

Reid: Bush must learn to compromise on Iraq (Associated Press article)

Porter says U.S. must win in Iraq (Nevada Appeal article)

Congressman Porter says war must be won (Associated Press article)

On The Battlefield

Guard Brigades to Receive Alert for Iraq Deployment (American Forces Press Service article)

U.S.-Iraqi Partnership Proves Potent For Combating Insurgents (American Forces Press Service article)

Two U.S. Soldiers Killed in Iraq, Iraqis Foil Car Bombs (American Forces Press Service article)

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

April 8-9, 2007

[8:40 AM]

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

The Nevada Legislature

Overviews

Lawmakers eye crucial bills at halfway point (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

NV Legislature: Unions, Pets, Mercury, and Child Support (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Friday The Thirteenth Deadline

"Under legislative rules, Senate or Assembly committees must act on bills by Friday, or they will not be considered further unless tacked on to other measures that remain alive."

Bill deadline (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

The State Budget

"Over the past 13 years, no state government has grown faster than Nevada's. General fund spending has tripled since 1994, from $1.023 billion to more than $3 billion this fiscal year."

'Budget cuts' and 'declining revenues': State government continues to grow despite spending spin (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

"As the 2007 Legislature hits its halfway point, Democrats and Republicans appear to agree on one point -- when the session ends in June, a lot of people will be unhappy."

Capital in mood to tighten its belt (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Want More Money

Chief justice to governor (Vegas Pundit)

Arberry to Gibbons (Vegas Pundit)

Governor defends education budgets (Vegas Pundit)

Inadequate State Supervision Of The Mortgage Industry

Nevada Leads the Nation in Mortgage Foreclosures (Jack Wood column, Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Child Abuse

Pinwheels make point about child abuse (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

"'Our law enforcement partners continue to tell us we cannot enforce our way out of the problem, but we are not adding much funding to our treatment system this session,' Leslie said. 'We won't make much progress unless we make treatment available.'"

Some key meth issues losing ground, support (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Community invited to local meth forum (Lahontan Valley News article)

State Prisons And Prisoners

"Much to the displeasure of those who want more money for schools and roads, the Nevada Legislature appears on track to spend $300 million to help ease crowding in the state's prisons. Some lawmakers are continuing to work on measures to let some inmates out early."

Bills hope to ease prison jams (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

JANE ANN MORRISON: Bill to rename prison honors tireless advocate for female inmates, victims (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Shackled alcohol abusers can't escape their fate: Devices keep them dry, rat them out (Las Vegas Sun article)

Workmen's Compensation Coverage

Acrobat's death might give life to law that protects others: Change would offer theatrical performers workers' comp, treatment to rehabilitate them (Las Vegas Sun article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Like A Bad Cup Of Coffee: Lots Of Hot Water But No Caffeine

 Democratic Dreams Of Recall Election Die, But Not The Sputtering

"Under state statutes, it's hard to get rid of a sitting governor."

Gibbons' missteps fuel recall speculation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"So will it happen? I doubt it. The Democrats are focused on the presidential caucus and raising money for that event. I can't imagine them gathering in a room and settling on one candidate. I also am not sure that Rogers or anyone else wants to be a recall sugar daddy. And let's not forget the rural robots will vote for Gibbons against almost any Democrat, no matter what buyer's remorse some of them may be feeling."

Jon Ralston on the likelihood that Gov. Jim Gibbons might face the same fate as Gray Davis in California (Las Vegas Sun column)

It's All His Fault

"Sadly, this Legislature, particularly this state Senate, appears more inclined to avoid a North-South fight over which projects should get priority than in solving the looming crisis. This public-private partnership provides them unnecessary political cover to avoid a decision."

ERIN NEFF: Public-private partnerships nothing new to Gibbons -- this one's a disaster, too (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

So What?

"If you look outside the issues that the press has focused on, we continue to move forward with our legislative agenda. We've moved forward with reforming education, clamping down on sex offenders, ensuring we keep taxes low and working on a budget that's within our means."

Gibbons' staff keeps many in capital in the dark: Question is whether they have what it takes (Las Vegas Sun article)

Gives To Sen. Reid

"They have given tens of thousands of dollars over the years to an array of House and Senate members, including Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and his political action committee, the Searchlight Leadership Fund."

Fatih Ozmen: Mystery man behind Sierra Nevada (Las Vegas Sun article)

You First

How many more conflicts? Gov. Gibbons should disclose all of his potential political conflicts and answer questions (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

The State Judiciary

Judicial Reform

"The public has a right to access the functions of the governments their taxes support. The shielding of hearings and documents from public scrutiny cannot go on unchecked."

Sealed lawsuits (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Judge Mosley Again

"In a deposition taken for a trial under way in Las Vegas, an attorney says District Judge Donald Mosley hatched a scheme to help his girlfriend avoid foreclosure on her home." 2005

DEPOSITION: Lawyer links judge to scheme -- He says Mosley suggested records could be falsified (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

After five years, lawyer wants media out of court (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Some Previous Cases And Incidents

In the Matter of the Honorable Donald M. Mosley, Order dated August 18, 2000 (Judicial Discipline Commission website)

In the Matter of the Honorable Donald M. Mosley, Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Imposition of Discipline dated March 11, 2002 (Judicial Discipline Commission website)

Mosley v. Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline, 120 Nev. 908, 102 P.3d 555, 560 (2004)

Sadoski v. Mosley (US 9th Circuit Court of Appeals website)

In Las Vegas, They're Playing With a Stacked Judicial Deck: Some judges routinely rule in cases involving friends, former clients and business associates -- and in favor of lawyers who fill their campaign coffers (Los Angeles Times article)

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: Accuser worked for another judge -- Mosley released suspect in jail on battery charge (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Justice and Juice (Richard Abowitz column, Los Angeles Times)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

GAMBLING AND THE LEGISLATURE: Ashless, ashless, they all fall down? An order to go smoke-free may cost casinos business, analyst says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Graffiti whitewash to kick off Pride Week in Carson City (Nevada Appeal article)

Churchill County

TCID board meets Monday (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

Urban Renewal

City gives Neonopolis' owner a shove (Las Vegas Sun article)

Real Estate Market

HOUSING SLUMP CASUALTIES: Real estate exodus in LV? Agents taking second jobs or leaving sector altogether (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County

"A 2-percent compounded growth cap was introduced by Douglas County commissioners on a 3-1 vote Thursday, the approval subject to more scrutiny and adjustments in the coming months."

County picks 2-percent growth cap (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

"The current master plan and airport advisory committees are doing a great service to the public and the County in addressing everyone's concerns. But, they can't do it without input from the airport users and the public. Get involved and most of all get the facts and ask lots of questions."

Growth at airport not out of control (John Endter column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

Washoe County

City Of Reno

The Future Of The Past

"Reno community leaders are vowing to work together to save more of the city's history after the City Council has approved plans to tear down the 102-year-old Virginia Street bridge in the heart of downtown."

Reno's history is getting squeezed out (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"In recent years, many of Reno's most famous landmarks have been moved, demolished, restored or endangered. The latest is the Virginia Street bridge which was the icon for Reno for decades. Just like the Mapes Hotel before it, the bridge is slated for demolition on orders from the Reno City Council."

THE FATE OF RENO'S PAST (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"Progress is necessary if a community is to stay alive and vibrant. It is also essential to preserve our past. If a city doesn't progress, it dies."

History and progress both have a place (Roberta Ross column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

"For years, the state Republican central committee was headed by Wingfield and the Democratic central committee was controlled by his lawyers, whose offices were at opposite ends of the building's second floor. To reach either party by phone, Reno history buff Neal Cobb said, people would dial the same number: 331."

Reno National Bank: A case study in historic downtown (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"The courthouse, the California Building, the post office and three elegant downtown churches still stand, but for how long? The parks -- Wingfield, Idlewild, Virginia Lake -- are being used and loved to death yet have not been enlarged or substantially enhanced in 60 years. Attractive and graceful old homes and neighborhoods will be challenged by growth as well in the not to distant future, and the YMCA that served generations of children and older adults might soon be gone."

What is a future without a past? (Marilyn Melton column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

City Of Sparks

A Feud Too Long

"It is well past time for the two sides to back off and resolve their differences, before they do damage to the city that will be hard to undo."

It's past time to end the feud roiling Sparks government (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Politics

State Democratic Party

"Despite the best efforts of Democrats, Nevada remains virtually a fly-over state for the party's candidates even though the presidential caucus moved to a coveted spot between the first-in-nation contests in Iowa and New Hampshire."

Just passing through (Las Vegas Sun article)

"Pressed on whether, despite making no official endorsement, she was working behind the scenes or through aides to get Soltero, Kennedy and Orange elected, Titus replied, 'Are you deaf?' Pressed further, she said, 'I don't have an unofficial capacity.'"

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Titus denies playing favorites within party -- Meeting attendees say state senator backed three losers (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Municipal Elections

169-VOTE WIN: Close call for Hafen surprising -- Henderson City Council race takes partisan turn (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

In The Legislature

"Richard Siegel, the president of the ACLU of Nevada, drew criticism last week after criticizing the state Senate for being unresponsive to the needs of Nevada's growing Hispanic population."

ACLU president draws ire for criticism of new Millennium Scholarship bill (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Higher education at risk: Chancellor's letter to governor carries correct message, that budget cuts are folly (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Pharmacy School

Support for pharmacy school grows: But some question claims that adding more pharmacists will improve prescription safety (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Public Schools

In The Legislature

"In an apparent change of heart, Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio said he favors a bill to increase taxes on real estate sales to support the Washoe County School District, but only if voters also approve it."

Raggio will support tax hike for schools if voters do (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Carson City School District

Carson students to experience American history (Nevada Appeal article)

Showcasing more than just the same old classes at Carson High: Arts & Occupation Fair gives students a sample of the other classes available at CHS (Nevada Appeal article)

Clark County School District

Hot on kids' tracks: Cat-and-mouse all in a day's work for truant officer (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

Those Who Guard You While You Sleep

"Vannozzi discovered that his duty-related heart attack wasn't covered by his state insurance because he was older than 54. In one of the most obviously ageist laws on the books in any state, Nevada statute denies heart coverage for volunteer firefighters 55 and older."

JOHN L. SMITH: Volunteer firefighter says state insurance coverage needs to come of age (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

West Nile Virus

Fundraiser set for north Valley West Nile victim (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Moldering Illness

"Bodenhorn was told in February that she needed to leave her home and all the family's possessions behind because of a mold problem caused by a water leak."

Can mold make you sick? - Local family's illnesses may have been caused by mold in their home (Lahontan Valley News article)

__________

Our Beautiful Region

A Trip Through White Pine

"White Pine County, with the Steptoe Valley and Great Basin National Park, makes a stunning backdrop. But it is the town of Ely that leaves a mark. It has a way of slowing you down and making things simple."

SHERMAN FREDERICK: The solitude of our outback -- Las Vegas to Ely and back (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Lakeshore Road

TRIP OF THE WEEK: Lakeshore Road drive showcases Lake Mead National Recreation Area (Margo Bartlett Pesek column, Las Vegas Review-Journal)

Kit Carson Pass And Daffodil Hill

A bullion of flowers: And a sense of God at work (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Incline Village: Tale of two towns -- Nevada and Missouri have common bond (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Tropicana Acquisition

"They are suffering from the job insecurity that accompanies new Trop owner Columbia Sussex Corp.'s meat-ax approach to staffing, which has resulted in the loss of hundreds of jobs in Las Vegas, almost 1,000 at the Tropicana in Atlantic City and a couple of hundred at its riverboat casino in Evansville, Ind."

Jeff Simpson on why Trop workers are not in partying mood as resort marks 50th (Las Vegas Sun column)

__________

Nevada's Past

The Life And Death Of John D. Winters

Historian compiles Winters stories (Nevada Appeal article)

A story that should live on in Nevada history (Nevada Appeal editorial)

__________

Nevada Journalism

A Preemptive Strike

"It was simply a way for me to use the word omphaloskepsis before Ralston could."

THOMAS MITCHELL: Sorting through the media navel-gazing (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

A Lot To Wonder About

I have questions (Glen McAdoo column, Lahontan Valley News)

"InBusiness Las Vegas editor (and frequent confidant to Steve Wynn) Jeff Simpson has sunk past redemption with his latest column, which is hardly better than Wynn propaganda. Seems that Wynn is no longer content to trot out the urban legend of the $90,000-per-year dealer (a creature who doth dwell amongst unicorns, centaurs, gryphons and minotaurs, from what I've gleaned)."

His master's voice (David McKee column, Las Vegas Business Press)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada Test Site

RADIATION EXPOSURE: Veteran with skin cancer refuses to give up battle for compensation (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Hooray for Harry's leadership on Iraq (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Our Bloated National Budget

A history of waste: Bush wants 'no strings attached,' but billions appropriated for Iraq are missing (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Health Care

"The core problem continues to be that costs are still rising at big multiples to the rate of inflation."

Lots of questions but not many answers on health care (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Corporate Regulation

"Where those who hold political power treat businesses as prey, rather than as national assets to be safeguarded, the biggest losers are the public, whose standard of living never reaches the level of prosperity made possible by existing resources and technology."

Protection money from Wal-Mart: Retail giant learning how to play the game (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

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

Update for April 9, 2007

[7:50 PM]

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

State Legislature

Mobile gambling company's plan rejected in Nevada Legislature (Associated Press article)

The Governor Of Nevada

The Missing Link Stories: Without Proof Of A Crime, They're A Waste Of Time

So Who's Behind The Democrats' Smear Campaign Against The Governor And His Wife?

Storm clouds gather over, around Gibbons (Michael Green column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

Patio exception puts smoking back in the mall: Loophole in Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act may allow smoking in retail areas (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Local Government

Clark County

Developing Stories

Class-A office complex breaks ground near McCarran Airport (Las Vegas Business Press article)

Speedway emerges as valley's newest industrial corridor: Multiple projects converge upon racetrack area (Las Vegas Business Press article)

__________

Nevada Politics

Nevada Republican Party

Giuliani's Legal Past Hints at Future (Associated Press article)

A Look at Cases Giuliani Prosecuted (Associated Press article)

Military Experience Rare Among '08 Field (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Almost At The Bottom, But Not Quite

Report: Nevada ranks low in college-educated adults (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Utilities

Going Up

"Energy experts advise local companies from neighborhood casinos to retail stores to get down to business when charting an energy strategy. Why? To cope with a significant rate hike proposed by Nevada Power Co., beginning June 1."

The heat is on ... the bottom line: Small business could face 12 percent hike in power costs (Las Vegas Business Press article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Riviera Acquisition

War of words erupts over latest bid for the Riviera (Las Vegas Business Press article)

__________

Federal Nevada

The US Congress

"If you thought the congressional Democrats were just fixated on funding cut-offs and Justice Dept scandals, then think again. They have two big proposals in the pipeline that will boost the economy and improve the federal income tax."

Two big proposals from the Democrats (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)

AP Poll: Congress Approval Up (Associated Press article)

Congress Poll at a Glance (Associated Press article)

Results From AP Poll on Congress (Associated Press article)

The US Supreme Court

Close Voting

Justice Kennedy the Key in Close Cases (Associated Press article)

Supreme Court's 5-4 Cases This Term (Associated Press article)

Global Warming

"Everyone should just chill out on the Supreme Court's decision that the Environmental Protection Agency was wrong on global warming. So many people were in a sweat about the decision last week, you'd have thought the automobile had been declared unconstitutional."

Really, it's just another small step in the process (Ian Mylchreest column, Las Vegas Business Press)

Emissions Already Affecting Climate, Report Finds (New York Times article, via Nye - Gateway to Nevada's Rurals)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

From the Chicken Ranch to Afghanistan: Local businesses seek to uplift morale on the front lines (Las Vegas Business Press article)

America's Broken-Down Army (Time Magazine article, via Desert Beacon)

Four Guard Brigades Alerted for Iraq Duty (American Forces Press Service article)

RL33946 - April 02, 2007 Navy Nuclear-Powered Surface Ships: Background, Issues, and Options for Congress (Congressional Research Service Report)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Invitations to ID theft: The IRS, too, is losing laptops right and left, at considerable risk to individuals (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Federal Official in Student Loans Held Loan Stock (New York Times article, via Desert Beacon)

Combating Nuclear Smuggling: DNDO Has Not Yet Collected Most of the National Laboratories' Test Results on Radiation Portal Monitors in Support of DNDO's Testing and Development Program GAO-07-347R, March 9, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Foreign Policy

The Continuing Occupation Of Afghanistan

Six Taliban Fighters Killed in Afghanistan; Weapons Cache Destroyed (American Forces Press Service article)

Iran

"If we follow the lead of the so-called "mainstream media," we should thank Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad for Wednesday's release of 15 British sailors who were seized by the Iranian Navy and held captive for almost two weeks. Instead of thanking Iran's president, however, I think we should hold him and his government accountable for violating international law and the Geneva Conventions."

Iranian hostage-taking exposes U.N. impotence (Guy W. Farmer column, Nevada Appeal)

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

In The Congress

Reid: America Cannot Afford Plan to Send National Guard To Iraq, Further Stretch Military (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Reid: Americans Still Seek Strategy For Success Four Years After Baghdad Fell (Sen. Reid Press Release)

‘Sixteen-Star Letter’ Calls for Supplemental Passage (American Forces Press Service article)

On The Battlefield

The alternate reality of John McCain (Kirk Caraway column, Nevada Appeal)

Baghdad Security Plan Seeing Many Successes (American Forces Press Service article)

Marine General: Anbar Getting Better (Associated Press article)

A Day of Violence in Iraq, Hour by Hour (Associated Press article)

Iraq PRTs to Double in Number by Year’s End, Official Says (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraqis Rip American Flags (Associated Press article)

Iraqis Showcase Democracy on Fourth Anniversary of Fall of Saddam’s Regime (American Forces Press Service article)

Iraqis March in Honor of Baghdad's Fall (Associated Press article)

Six Soldiers Killed in Iraq; DoD Identifies Eight Previous Casualties (American Forces Press Service article)

Troops Detain 14 Suspects in Iraq; Car Bomb Kills 17, Injures 26 (American Forces Press Service article)

Four U.S. Army Soldiers Killed, Senior al-Qaeda Leader Captured (American Forces Press Service article)

The Shadowy World Of International Espionage

Official: No Answers in Spy Case Inquiry (Associated Press article)

A Federal Reader

RL33948 - April 02, 2007 State and Local Economic Sanctions: Constitutional Issues (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33947 - April 02, 2007 Juvenile Justice: Legislative History and Current Legislative Issues (Congressional Research Service Report)

RS22636 - April 02, 2007 Alcohol Use Among Youth (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33952 - April 05, 2007 The Single European Payments Area (SEPA): Implementation Delays and Implications for the United States (Congressional Research Service Report)

RL33951 - April 04, 2007 U.S. Trade Policy and the Caribbean: From Trade Preferences to Free Trade Agreements (Congressional Research Service Report)

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

April 10-11, 2007

[7:00 PM]

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

State Legislature

Overview

Nevada State Senate: Wednesday Votes (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Nevada Highways

"Transportation and business leaders pleaded Tuesday for the state Senate Taxation Committee to approve a bill that would levy enough taxes to construct $3.8 billion in major highway improvement projects during the next eight years."

LEGISLATURE 2007: Highway funding debated -- Lawmakers advised to invest in roads to keep state's economy strong (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"In a packed legislative committee room Tuesday, the unthinkable happened. Not a single voice was raised against a bill to increase Nevada's gas tax by 6 cents over the next two years, increase it at a rate tied to inflation thereafter, and to raise other taxes to pay for highway construction."

Surprise: No nays to higher gas tax -- Dollars would go toward highways (Las Vegas Sun article)

Senate looks at bill to erase $3.8 billion gap for roads (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"The bill would raise road funding through a mix of proposals, including gasoline tax and driver's license fee increases, and by re-directing a portion of the sales tax collected on vehicle sales and repairs."

Group urges solution for road funding (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

SB324

Nevada highway funding plan would tax truckers, rental cars (Associated Press article)

Assembly Democrats propose transportation solution package (Vegas Pundit)

State transportation officials get $19,000 in new furniture: Other agencies look for ways of making cuts (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Open Government: The Right To Know What You're Paying For

"By creating firm guidelines, it should at least make it far easier to single out that small minority of caretakers who decline to operate in good faith."

Public records compromise: Bill would give agencies more time to respond (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

SB123 (Pre-amendment version)

Bill would exempt Parole Board from state open meeting law (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

SB496

Eminent Domain

Nevada eminent domain bill moves ahead (Associated Press article)

State Prisons And Prisoners

Go Somewhere Else

Deport alien inmates? It's about time (Nevada Appeal editorial)

DISTANCE RESTRICTIONS: Bill would limit sex offenders -- Residences could not be within 1,000 feet of places for children (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Legislators And The Constitution

Slip-Sliding Away

"The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized." - US Constitution, 4th Amendment

DNA testing bill passes: Measure affects all felons in state (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Expanding DNA's use: Assembly approves requirement that DNA samples be taken from all convicted felons (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

AB92

State Regulation Of Families And Family Matters

Nevada lawmakers vote for penalties for teen smokers (Associated Press article)

SB14

English Only

"The Hispanic community should be building a bridge of its own by also acknowledging that immigrants must learn English, and perhaps even beginning non-governmental community programs to make that happen. It would go far to calm the fears behind SB 325 and send a message that Hispanic immigrants are here to become a part of our country, not to change it."

English language bill means well but has flaws (Nevada Appeal editorial)

SB325

State Workers Union

"A bill that would give state employees the right to organize a collective bargaining unit unanimously passed the Assembly Government Affairs Committee on Monday."

STATE WORKERS: Bargaining bill advances -- In Senate, fate of effort unclear (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Assembly panel backs collective bargaining for state workers (Nevada Appeal article)

AB601

Health Proposals

Anti-Cancer Vaccine

Titus says bill would make vaccine more accessible (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Prescription Prices

Committee OKs bill on drug prices (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

SB409

Proposed Payroll Tax Deduction

"Gov. Jim Gibbons has backed off his goal to reduce the payroll tax paid by Nevada businesses, a state senator testified Tuesday."

Lawmaker: Payroll tax not decreasing -- Spokesman says Gibbons remains committed to cut (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Plight Of The Homeless

SOLVING HOMELESSNESS: Affordable homes seen as key goal -- Committee works on problem (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Plight Of Ex-Legislators

Former speaker of Assembly creates consulting company: Perkins says business does not pose a conflict (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Governor Of Nevada

From The Office Of The Governor

Governor Gibbons Creates Climate Change Advisory Committee (Gov. Gibbons Press Release)

A Failure To Communicate?

Nevada governor won't provide receipts for Turkey vacation (Associated Press article)

Of Statements And Spins

Gibbons discusses WSJ conspiracy theory (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Gibbons doesn't buy rumor: Says he doesn't think Dems paid for negative stories (Nevada Appeal article)

There Is No Partisan Press Cabal And That's Just Rain Falling On Your Leg

Gibbons' comments elicit incredulity (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Dems get to media ... now Gibbons? A meeting in Elko, a bagman, and - is that a printing press on the grassy knoll? (Las Vegas Sun article)

Jon Ralston on the governor's conspiracy theories and why they just aren't funny (Las Vegas Sun column)

Gibbons plays pitiful victim: Battling stories that have sparked investigation, governor spreads conspiracy rumor (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Stroking business interests: Governor's effort to streamline industry regulations ignores the public's input (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

ERIN NEFF: A little less sunlight (Las Vegas Review-Journal column) [scroll down for Gov. Gibbons story]

Return of Gov. Moonbeam? (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

‘Worst Person in the World’: Gov. Gibbons (Keith Olbermann column, MSNBC)

Another Non-Story

"Director of Administration Andrew Clinger confirmed that, because Dayton's duty station is Las Vegas, the payments are appropriate under state law and regulation. Clinger said technically, Dayton could also claim meals and lodging costs and that he isn't."

Governor's top aide goes home on weekends at state expense (Nevada Appeal article)

Did Politek Do The Work? Was The Price Fair?

"First lady Dawn Gibbons said Monday she was paid $2,500 plus expenses per month for nearly a year to do consulting work for Sierra Nevada Corp. under an oral, not written, contract."

First lady doesn't waver on Sierra Nevada story (Las Vegas Sun article)

State Regulation Of Business And Industry

"Gov. Jim Gibbons has asked the state Business and Industry Department to complete a top-down review of all business regulations, which could affect such areas as worker safety, consumer affairs, taxis, mortgage lending and real estate, although not gaming."

Gibbons: Businesses should play by new rules (Las Vegas Sun article)

Gas Up

"Nevada has the third highest average gasoline price in the country, after California ($3.28) and Washington ($3.03)."

Drivers get squeezed at pump: Explanations, excuses abound for why gasoline prices keep going up (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The State Judiciary

Judicial Reform

Nevada lawmakers vote for "Missouri plan" for appointed judges (Associated Press article)

SJR2

"From 1998 through 2002, a PLAN study found, successful candidates for the Supreme Court raised more than $1.5 million for their campaigns; two-thirds of the money came from the gaming industry or lawyers and lobbyists who had recent cases before the Supreme Court."

Let voters decide whether judges should be appointed (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Judge Mosley Again

"Walsh's decision to grant media access comes at a time when state lawmakers are considering a proposal that would limit judges' authority to seal civil cases from public view, and as the state Supreme Court has begun forming a committee to examine problems associated with the sealing of court records and public access to court records."

Judge refuses to close court: Case involves second judge's girlfriend (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Local Government

Churchill County

Child Abuse

Pinwheels highlight local child abuse: More than 330 cases reported in Churchill County in 2006 (Lahontan Valley News article)

Regional Economy

"The name to market the Northern Nevada area to prospective businesses and a potential workforce was unveiled at the Churchill Economic Development Authority board meeting on Tuesday by representatives from the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada."

CEDA briefed on regional brand (Lahontan Valley News article)

Churchill Area Regional Transportation

"Churchill Area Regional Transportation (CART) is due to receive two new buses that were approved in a grant last year. They will also receive two additional buses from a grant approved for the 2008 fiscal year."

Bus system receives grant funds for vehicle replacement (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County

Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

CONVENTION AUTHORITY: Authority's slogan slog continues -- Agency keeps fighting copycats to 'What happens here ...' phrase (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

City Of Las Vegas

Council Appointment

LOOKING IN ON: CITY HALL -- Ward 5 hopefuls applaud interim (Las Vegas Sun article)

Mutilate Them, He Gushed

Over the years, the mayor has been a man of many faces, but just one name: Oscar. (Las Vegas Sun article)

City Of North Las Vegas

High hopes, bitter disappointment: Drawing for housing vouchers has many waiting in anticipation (Las Vegas Sun article)

Douglas County

"Only time will tell whether Thursday's introduction will result in an approval and whether that approval will ever be enacted into law."

Growth rate trail long and twisty (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Incline Village General Improvement District

IVGID to hear beach access debate set (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

"After months of contention surrounding the approval of the district's contract with Waste Management, the Incline Village General Improvement District trustees are expected to approve amended trash regulations tonight."

IVGID back to business (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Lyon County

Silver Springs General Improvement District

"The Silver Springs General Improvement District has a tentative budget that will be balanced but without any funds left at the end of the 2007 fiscal year."

Silver Springs GID OKs tentative budget (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

Inequitable Taxation

The Old Jerk-Around

"A state appeals board froze $13.5 million in property tax refunds for Incline Village and Crystal Bay residents on Tuesday and returned a decision to roll back taxable values on their homes to a Washoe County tax appeals board."

Board stalls tax refunds for Incline residents (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Developers' Private Governments

"The amendment is written to apply only to Washoe County. It requires the county board of commissioners to create a district when 100 percent of the property owners in an area of 5,000 acres or more within a city's annexation area want one."

Reno, Sparks officials back annexation measure (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

AB513

Reno-Tahoe Airport

"At Reno-Tahoe International Airport, the lobby is cramped and the flow of passengers gridlocked because of the amount of space that baggage screening machines consume. At other airports, passengers may find themselves moving from long lines at the check-in desks to long lines where they're to drop off their bags at the screening machines, before they move to the long lines at passenger screening areas."

Money would ease airport frustration (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

City Of Sparks

"Koivisto said the absence of Sparks' support was the overriding factor in removing Sparks. 'There was nobody from Sparks there supporting the bill, and since Sparks has its own charter committee, the support should have come from that direction,' she said."

City attorney bill might not include Sparks (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nuisance Ordinances

Ad nauseum nuisance (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

__________

Nevada Politics

State Democratic Party

Candidate Dodd in state this weekend (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Municipal Elections

City Of Henderson

Wagner considers recount in loss to Hafen (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Minden

Douglas County strikes deal with Minden for early voting (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

In The Legislature

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION: Panel OKs bill to halt benefits -- State senators move to cut off education aid (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

SB415

Gibbons, university officials meet to discuss budget cuts (Nevada Appeal article)

Gibbons, Rogers cool the heated rhetoric (Las Vegas Sun article)

"According to a recent report released by the Nevada System of Higher Education, Nevada ranks 46th in the nation in the number of adults per capita who complete a two-year or four-year college degree."

Vocational education shouldn't be overlooked (Lahontan Valley News editorial)

Public Schools

Genoan state's top geography student (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

In The Legislature

"The leading Republican in the Nevada Legislature scolded school superintendents Tuesday for bringing lawmakers a 12-point, $1 billion funding proposal that lacked priorities."

School spending proposal draws criticism (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Nev. Speaker: Dems still want full-day kindergarten (Associated Press article)

Arberry to Gibbons: You missed the point (Vegas Pundit)

A Thoughtful Article, Well Worth Reading

"If the corporate and business interests don't want to pay for our K-16 programs, then the "average tax payer" must. But, if the average tax payer becomes less able over time to afford an education for himself or his children, then over time the system will collapse in on itself -- leaving us with a pile of red-painted lumber topped off by the remnants of the cheaply shingled roof."

Little Red Schoolhouse (Desert Beacon)

Clark County School District

Schools: Take back money, give us more -- Clark County district can't use $15 million with strings attached (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

Northern Nevada Water Authority

"Opponents said the proposal would create an unnecessary addition to government that could come with major costs to Washoe County residents."

Northern water authority debated (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

SB487

The Carson River

"It's April and it's been a busy irrigation season already. Irrigation off the West-by-God-fork of the Carson River starts April 1. And it did. But if you drove around the Valley in late March you might have noticed an abundance of stock water flowing over fields. When that happens it means it is going to be a bad water year."

April is time to begin irrigating Valley fields (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

"Public works employees are preparing for the heat of summer - and the anticipated jump in water demand - by testing wells and flushing out portions of Carson City's water system."

City preparing water system for increased use (Nevada Appeal article)

The Truckee River

"Targeting new residential development in Truckee, advocates for the protection of the Truckee River are hoping to promote innovative green building techniques to improve water quality."

Going green: low-impact design imitates Mother Nature -- Simple tasks can decrease environmental impacts (Nevada Appeal article)

Clean contract is rolling on the river (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

University Medical Center

"As Clark County commissioners discuss University Medical Center's future during a workshop today, lawmakers in Carson City are discussing what kind of state intervention is appropriate at the troubled public hospital."

Which medicine to give UMC? Lawmakers debate how close to keep tabs (Las Vegas Sun article)

SB533

Nevada Cancer Institute

Nevada Cancer Institute moves to new location (Lahontan Valley News article)

It's A Dichotomy

"'Our mission is to enhance the well being of the communities we serve, and to do that and have smoking on our campus seemed to be a dichotomy,' said hospital spokeswoman Cheri Glockner."

Medical center will become smoke-free: Employees and patients balk at new hospital policy (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

"As Will Rogers once said, 'There's no trick to being a humorist when you have the whole government working for you.'"

What will they regulate next? Farmers could be under the gun if greens get their way (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

Asian Organized Crime Conference

Casinos constantly on lookout for cons: Connecticut gaming commissioner shares scams at conference (Las Vegas Sun article)

Clark County Corruption Cases

Malone ready, but prison system not: Probation officer blames computer glitches for delay (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Internet Predators

Hunt for predators grows: As teens find more Web sites to use, U.S. attorney's job gets bigger (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Auction Company, Owner Face Questions

Complaints filed against auction firm: Company owner also faces charges (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nice.

"A Clark County building inspector fleeing the scene of a hit-and-run wreck caused an eight-vehicle pileup at Desert Inn and Sandhill roads Tuesday afternoon, authorities said."

County official caused pileup, LV police say (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Burning Hills

"State fire officials on Tuesday warned of a bad wildfire season ahead, and said Mount Charleston in particular could face catastrophic damages if fires there can't be prevented or suppressed."

STATE BRIEFING: Wildfire outlook alarming -- Fire officials expect less rainfall, higher temperatures to boost risk (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

State experts predict dangerous fire season (Nevada Appeal article)

"Nevada legislative auditors Monday criticized the state Fire Marshal's Office, saying it has made almost no progress fixing problems identified in the 2001 audit despite the addition of six more employees specifically to address the shortcomings."

Auditors renew criticism of Fire Marshal's Office (Nevada Appeal article)

"What Mary Lou can't comprehend to this day is the insensitivity she experienced from the public officials after his death. Because Bob was more than 55 years old at the time of his heart attack, he wasn't covered by the volunteers' insurance policy because of a clause that critics call a screaming example of age discrimination."

JOHN L. SMITH: If nothing else, volunteer firefighter earned respect for lifetime of service (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

__________

Our Beautiful Region

"People interested in the state's backcountry trails can now watch a show on the community access cable television channel to learn more."

Access Carson City now airing first studio program (Nevada Appeal article)

Glenshire's lake trail to continue this fall (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

Nevada Culture

Experience poetry in motion at Sierra Nevada College (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Gamblers' Money

Baccarat bails out Las Vegas: High-end play during February makes up for All-Star betting blight (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Gaming win up statewide but down in Carson area (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada's Past

Historic Hotel Toppled

Burned Mizpah Hotel comes down (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Gangster Years

"After spending the past two decades in the shadows as a protected witness after his cooperation with the FBI and U.S. attorney against mobster Anthony Spilotro and members of his Hole-in-the-Wall Gang, Cullotta is close to bringing out his memoirs of time in and out of the Chicago Outfit."

JOHN L. SMITH: Upcoming book should shed new light on old gangland tales (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

"'The model is so complicated and so large, and takes so many computers to run it,' Loux said. 'It is fundamentally not capable of being checked by any third party.'"

YUCCA MOUNTAIN: Computer model criticized -- It's too complex to be inspected, state official says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Sen. Ensign

ENSIGN: DEMOCRATS' POLITICAL GAMES WITH TROOP FUNDING COSTING TAXPAYERS MORE MONEY (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

ENSIGN APPLAUDS PASSAGE OF ANIMAL FIGHTING BILL (Sen. Ensign Press Release)

Sen. Reid

Reid critical as Army extends Iraq tours to 15 months (Associated Press article)

Reid Opens Third Work Period with Promise to Continue Moving Americans in a New Direction (Sen. Reid Press Release)

Senate Democratic Leaders Invite President To Capitol Hill To Work With Congress On Changing Course In Iraq (Sen. Reid Press Release)

The US Congress

"It's a good thing that this Democratic Congress hasn't been able to force any of its most dangerous ideas into federal statute. And as long as the party's leaders insist on demonizing the White House, their legacy will be as undistinguished as the big-spending Republicans who came before them."

'In the dust' (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Freedom And The Federal Government

"As expected, District of Columbia officials on Monday moved to overturn a recent federal court ruling which found that the city's strict gun ban violated the Constitution."

The right to bear arms (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

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

April 12, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

State Legislature

Nevada Highways

$3.8 BILLION SHORTFALL: Trucks may bear burden -- Weight-distance tax proposed to help pay for road work (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Efficient roads, or bust: Nevada's economy will tank if bill is not passed to fund needed road construction (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

"The solution to the funding problem is, of course, money -- money that will only come when the Legislature shows some leadership. If lawmakers won't find a way to pay now, we certainly will all pay later."

State's road needs can't wait for one more commission (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Nevada's Wretched, Toothless Financial Disclosure Laws

"The assistant to former Clark County Commissioner Yvonne Atkinson Gates broke county policy by not disclosing that she received tens of thousands of dollars in campaign money from her boss, county officials have confirmed."

Aide failed to disclose extra income: Atkinson Gates paid with campaign money (Las Vegas Sun article)

Your Right To Elect Public Officials

An Overview Of The Problem

"Lawmakers are considering stripping voters of the right to elect regents, judges and--in Reno and Sparks--city attorneys."

Reforming democracy with less democracy: The Nevada Legislature is considering bills to make elected offices appointive (Reno News & Review article)

Government "reforms": There are at least five measures at the Nevada Legislature that would make currently elected offices appointive (Reno News & Review article)

Your Right To Elect Judges

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Judge measure OK'd -- Panel supports appointment plan (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Your Right To Elect Municipal Officers

"The Reno City Council has dropped its support of Nevada Assembly Bill 570 that would allow appointing rather than electing a city attorney."

City council drops city attorney bill support (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Want More Money

"It was the bureaucratic version of American Idol Wednesday, with judges, the head public defender and district attorney auditioning for Clark County Commissioners about their needs for more staff."

Judges, others plead for staff: County Commission hears department heads' requests for more people (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

Senate votes to make teen smoking illegal (Lahontan Valley News article)

Bill lets police cite minors who smoke: State Senate approves penalties for tobacco use (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Plight Of Ex-Legislators

"In Nevada, public service pays very well indeed."

Cashing in (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

The Governor Of Nevada

Some Good Advice

"If the governor's office wants the press to cover something else, he needs to give them something else to cover -- a governor tending to the often unglamorous task of giving the Legislature some useful guidance. A governor doing his job."

Governor needs to re-focus: Bunker mentality not productive (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Repeat After Me: There Is No Partisan Press Cabal

Read Erin & Jon & Molly & The Sun For Details

"Dayton's leadership has become an issue in Carson City after a series of missteps have raised uncertainty about whether the governor can accomplish his legislative goals."

Questions swept aside when Gibbons rehired chief of staff (Las Vegas Sun article)

Gibbons' political tactics don't play well in Nevada (Nevada Appeal editorial)

"Gibbons thinks the world is out to get him. But believing in a vast left-wing conspiracy makes it appear he's gone from delusional to just plain nuts."

ERIN NEFF: Gibbons has lost it (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Gibbons: Still nuts (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife)

The State Judiciary

The Practice Of Sealing Cases

"Committee members and others in support of the proposal, such as the Nevada Press Association and the American Civil Liberties Union of Nevada, said it is an important step in protecting the public from dangerous products or practices by keeping open to public view lawsuits alleging medical malpractice, product liability, defective tires and other problems."

Panel OKs bill to limit judges: Authority to seal lawsuits questioned (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

AB519

"'That's where they murdered our daughter,' muttered Frank Lockwood during a visit to the medical facility where his daughter had stopped breathing weeks earlier during a routine, outpatient procedure."

Slander claim dismissed; libel claim proceeds (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Need A New Courthouse

"District Judge Dan Papez, of Ely, said the problem is trials and hearings involving inmates from Ely State Prison, Nevada's maximum security prison. He said highly dangerous inmate defendants and witnesses must be brought to court for proceedings and are in close proximity not only to each other but to the jurors, witnesses and judges."

Senate Finance considers construction of new White Pine County courthouse (Nevada Appeal article)

Local Government

Clark County

Regional Roads And Streets

"'Mobility within (the) Las Vegas Valley has reached a crisis point, with both residents and visitors trapped by congestion,' said a study summary, prepared by Wilbur Smith Associates, a transportation and infrastructure engineering firm from Columbia, S.C."

Traffic study urges end of free parking: Transportation official scoffs at idea for Strip (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Urban Renewal

A hopeful glimmer for Neonopolis: Inquiry from major mall owner has local officials intrigued (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Lake Tahoe Bubble not Bursting: Home prices increase in Basin while number of sales drop (Sierra Sun article)

Nye County

Town Of Pahrump

"The Pahrump Town Board officially voiced its support for the incorporation of the town into a city at a special Saturday session."

Board will support incorporation (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Storey County

Latest Development

Cordevista development will be discussed Friday (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

More Development For Local Taxpayers To Subsidize

"Opening up more land for potential development on Peavine Peak and in the Virginia Range above the southeast Truckee Meadows will be considered today by Reno, Sparks and Washoe County officials."

Builders press board for land on Peavine (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

City Of Reno

"The Reno City Council on Wednesday approved a 7 percent pay raise for City Manager Charles McNeely, raising his salary to $246,462 a year."

Reno council bumps pay for city manager (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

Municipal Elections

Uncertain Laws

Mesquite tackles confusion on election: April 3 council winner is in, but name to appear on June 5 ballot anyway (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"A week after the City Council primary race in rural Mesquite it's still unclear who will be on the ballot for the June general election."

Mix-up in Mesquite: Who's on first? (Las Vegas Sun article)

Elusive Polling Places

LOOKING IN ON: SUBURBS -- Henderson's push to boost voting sends dedicated voter hunting (Las Vegas Sun article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

"The Washoe County School District's plan to launch a dual-language, English/Spanish pilot program for kindergarten and first grade students is a step in the right direction to help our community's Spanish-speaking children."

Spanish-speakers are our kids: Bilingual programs are in the best interest of all Americans (Reno News & Review editorial)

In The Legislature

School voucher proposal withdrawn by committee: It's replaced by more limited bill focusing on special-needs students (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"A bill to increase real-estate transfer taxes to support the Washoe County School District faces a do-or-die vote today in the Senate Taxation Committee."

Tax bill for school funding faces crucial vote (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"The Washoe County School District is not asking for special treatment. Rather, it is asking that it be treated the same way other counties in Nevada, particularly Clark County, are treated."

School funding bill should be OK'd (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Churchill County School District

School board meets tonight (Lahontan Valley News article)

Clark County School District

"Clark County School District officials have finalized the estimated cost to implement a new computer software system, and it's only $13 million more than what they originally had approved."

Computer software system's cost finalized for school district (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

University Medical Center

"As if learning the Clark County Commission would have to provide UMC with a $60 million bailout wasn't enough, on Wednesday the financially ailing hospital's top administrators proposed eliminating two Quick Care centers, the pediatric endocrinology clinic, some rehabilitation services and several resource centers to reduce its projected 2008 deficit of $53.7 million."

BUDGET REVIEW: UMC officials propose closures -- Plan would cut hospital's projected $53.7 million deficit in '08 (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Climate Change

"Gov. Jim Gibbons quieted environmental critics this week by recognizing the existence of global warming - and by saying that he wants to do something about it."

Gibbons warms up to global warming: After early cool reaction, governor joins the fight (Las Vegas Sun article)

A Quicksilver Situation

"Farley is manager of a federal depot in Hillsborough where defense workers are preparing to move stores of mercury to a new site in Hawthorne in Nevada's Mineral County. The depot holds 2,615 metric tons of mercury, about 60 percent of the nation's defense stockpile of the toxic stuff."

Preparing for shipment: Mercury shipments to a new Nevada dump site will begin this summer (Reno News & Review article)

__________

Nevada Law Enforcement

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

"I wouldn't doubt you can find people saying it's flavored, but we don't believe it. We believe flavored meth is a myth."

Meth marketing or just urban myth: Reports of flavored drug abound, but evidence keeps eluding authorities (Las Vegas Sun article)

An Unfortunate Outcome

"U.S. District Judge Philip Pro suppressed all the evidence seized in the case being prosecuted by acting U.S. Attorney Steve Myhre and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Crane Pomerantz and Roger Went, leaving prosecutors with almost nothing to use."

JANE ANN MORRISON: Bad search in medical fraud case leaves key questions unanswered (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

__________

Nevada Culture

The Cinematic Arts

Hollywood returns to the Comstock: Independent filmmaker from Dayton perseveres to create dramatic Western (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Gamblers' Money

Despite big events, February gaming revenue disappoints (Las Vegas Business Press article)

__________

Nevada's Past

The V&TRR

"The showpiece of the Virginia & Truckee tourist railway - a 90-ton locomotive - rolled in and out of Carson City on the back of a flat bed truck Tuesday evening."

Locomotive spends a short time in its future home (Nevada Appeal article)

"The 11-track miles of 119-pound rail are being stored at Drako Way until they are ready to be hammered into place on the right-of-way from American Flat to the outskirts of Carson City. Project officials expect to bid this job out in May."

Steel arrives for next two V&T parts (Nevada Appeal article)

Social Justice

Trial by jury (Newell Mills column, Lahontan Valley News)

Twilight Honors

62 Easters Later: Ex-POW receives WWII medals (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Melvin And Howard

Dummar attorney brings Hughes claims to Nevada (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Journalism

Politics And History

Political history: Our leaders manipulate history to work their will--even using it to send citizens into war (Reno News & Review article)

Historical myths: A summary of some historical myths (Reno News & Review article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Yucca Mountain Nuclear Waste Dump Project

Official wants probe into DOE program (Pahrump Valley Times article)

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

"As President Bush again readies his veto pen over stem cell research, Republican Sen. John Ensign may be the only Nevada member of Congress standing by his side."

Bush has a friend in Ensign on stem cells: Rest of Nevada delegation would vote to override Bush's threatened veto (Las Vegas Sun article)

Immigration Reform

Same old debate: President Bush's immigration reform policy needs better solutions rather than a renewed push (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

From The US Census Bureau

Information and Communications Technology 2005 (US Census Bureau Report)

Open Government: The Right To Know What You're Paying For

Officials Transacted Government Business Via Republican Party E-Mails

White House claims e-mail on fired U.S. Attorneys was deleted: The e-mails were sent using RNC accounts (ComputerWorld article)

White House: 'We screwed up' on deleted e-mails (CNN article)

Veterans Affairs

SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS: Vets 'our challenge' -- VA chief commits to providing best care for those hurt in war (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Gates Extends Army Tours in Iraq to 15 Months (American Forces Press Service article)

Change in Deployment Policy Aims to Provide Predictability (American Forces Press Service article)

DoD News Briefing with Secretary Gates and Gen. Pace from the Pentagon (Department of Defense website)

U.S. Military Fully Committed to Success in Iraq, Top Enlisted Says (American Forces Press Service article)

DoD News Briefing with Brig. Gen. John Toolan, Principal Director for South and Southeast Asia and Pacific Security Affairs, from the Pentagon (Department of Defense website)

From The Office Of The President

Apr. 11, 2007 Press Briefing by Dana Perino (White House website)

Apr. 10, 2007 Press Briefing by Dana Perino (White House website)

Foreign Affairs

The Continuing Occupation Of Iraq

In The Congress

"Nothing can excuse using such a meaningful vehicle for tawdry pork-barreling, and every citizen has a right to be offended."

Democrats use crude tactics in war-end bill (Dennis Myers column, Pahrump Valley Times)

Reserve Chiefs Report Funding Needed to Maintain Manpower, Readiness (American Forces Press Service article)

On The Battlefield

Attack on Iraq Parliament building kills 2 lawmakers (Los Angeles Times article)

Forces Capture Terrorists, Discover Weapons Caches in Iraq (American Forces Press Service article)

Four Soldiers Killed in Iraq, DoD Identifies 22 Previous Casualties (American Forces Press Service article)

General Sees Protests as Signs of Freedom in Iraq, Recaps Security Plan (American Forces Press Service article)

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

Update for April 12, 2007

[9:50 PM]

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

State Legislature

Overviews

Nevada Legislature: Bill Watch (Desert Beacon column, Blue Sage Views)

Assemblywoman Leslie Reflects On Nevada Legislature's First Half (Dullard Mush)

Open Government: The Right To Know What You're Paying For

Bills deal with open meetings by Tax Commission (Associated Press article)

AB433

SB448

The Right To Privacy: Abortion Debate Bill

"'This bill isn't about protecting women. It's not about pregnant women. It's about abortion,' she said."

Pregnant politics: A state Senate bill tries to pull a fast one with women's abortion rights (Associated Press article)

Nevada lawmakers vote for bill that sparked abortion debate (Associated Press article)

SB299

Nevada's Predatory Lending Industry

Nevada lawmakers vote against universal default clauses (Associated Press article)

SB302

Create-A-Crime Bill For Assaults On The Homeless

Why Should Ordinary Citizens Have Less Protection?

Panel revives bill aimed at protecting homeless Nevadans (Associated Press article)

AB83

The Governor Of Nevada

Concocted Conspiracy Controversy

"Gov. Gibbons is not off-balance. Almost all of his critics who would mention that he is "off-balance" are not in Carson City on a daily basis, observing the Gibbons administration or the state government. They are throwing rocks from far away."

This reporter's response to the Gibbons' 'conspiracy" story (Ray Hagar column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

Repeat After Me: There Is No Partisan Press Cabal

Just asking: Is Gibbons nuts? (Las Vegas CityLife editorial)

Gibbons: Still nuts (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife - April 11)

Return of Gov. Moonbeam? (Steve Sebelius column, Las Vegas CityLife - April 9)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Carson City mayor pleads guilty to DUI (Associated Press article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Public Schools

In The Legislature

Education officials hear budget woes may not be so bad (Associated Press article)

Nevada lawmakers vote against allowing teachers to carry guns (Associated Press article)

SB286

Letter to legislators (Chip Mosher column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

Nevada Water Matters

SNWA The Water Moloch: The More It Takes, The More It Needs

Rural lawmakers want Las Vegas water authority to pay more taxes (Associated Press article)

AB441

__________

Nevada Culture

Watching The Cars Go By

Corn dogs, yellow flags and cheese fries: The good, the bad and the ugly of the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix (Las Vegas CityLife article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

Working Conditions

Casino's gag order of dealers unfair (George Knapp column, Las Vegas CityLife)

__________

Nevada's Past

Historical Preservation

"The nonprofit women's group, on the advice of UNLV's School of Architecture, rescued the 1959 Antonio Morelli house from being razed like so many other beloved local landmarks."

American pie: The Junior League saves a slice of vintage Las Vegas (Las Vegas CityLife article)

__________

Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Porter looks dead (Vegas Pundit)

Federal Taxes

2007 Tax Filing Season: Interim Results and Updates of Previous Assessments of Paid Preparers and IRS's Modernization and Compliance Research Efforts GAO-07-720T, April 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Tax Administration: Telephone Excise Tax Refund Requests Are Fewer Than Projected and Have Had Minimal Impact on IRS Services GAO-07-695, April 11, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Taxpayer Service: State Experiences Indicate IRS Would Face Challenges Developing an Internet Filing System with Net Benefits GAO-07-570, April 5, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Customs Revenue: Customs and Border Protection Needs to Improve Workforce Planning and Accountability GAO-07-529, April 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Background Paper: The Effect of Tax Changes on Labor Supply in CBO’s Microsimulation Tax Model, April 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

Senior Citizens

Older Driver Safety: Knowledge Sharing Should Help States Prepare for Increase in Older Driver Population GAO-07-413, April 11, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Older Driver Safety: Survey of States on Their Implementation of Federal Highway Administration Recommendations and Guidelines (GAO-07-517SP), an E-supplement to GAO-07-413 GAO-07-517SP, April 11, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Medicare

Testimony on the Medicare Advantage Program: Enrollment Trends and Budgetary Effects, April 11, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

Cost Estimate of Draft Legislation that Would Change Medicare's Prescription Drug Program, April 10, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

Issues Regarding Drug Price Negotiation in Medicare, April 10, 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

Homeland Security

Transportation Security: TSA Has Made Progress in Implementing the Transportation Worker Identification Credential Program, but Challenges Remain GAO-07-681T, April 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Defense Acquisitions: Missile Defense Needs a Better Balance between Flexibility and Accountability GAO-07-727T, April 11, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Comparing Working-Capital Funding and Mission Funding for Naval Shipyards, April 2007 (Congressional Budget Office Report)

Fraud, Corruption, Waste And Mismanagement

Gulf Coast Rebuilding: Preliminary Observations on Progress to Date and Challenges for the Future GAO-07-574T, April 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Hurricane Katrina: Agency Contracting Data Should Be More Complete Regarding Subcontracting Opportunities for Small Business GAO-07-698T, April 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Project-Based Rental Assistance: HUD Should Update Its Policies and Procedures to Keep Pace with the Changing Housing Market GAO-07-290, April 11, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

Intellectual Property: National Enforcement Strategy Needs Stronger Leadership and More Accountability GAO-07-710T, April 12, 2007 (Government Accountability Office Report)

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

April 13, 2007

_____

Nevada Government

State Government

State Legislature

Overview

First Half Thoughts From AD-26's Ty Cobb (Dullard Mush)

Nevada Highways

"A former state transportation chief said Thursday that a plan to tax the trucking industry is the fairest way of requiring road users to pay their fair share for highway wear and tear."

Measure on heavy truck tax advances: Bill has 15 cents-per-mile 'weight-distance tax' (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Who’s Lobbying for Nevada’s Roads? (Todd Zuccato column, Silver State Libertarian Leanings)

Open Government: The Right To Know What You're Paying For

"Government's business is financed by the public to serve the public. Its records must be open and accessible."

A matter of record: Legislation would help make sure that public records are accessible to the public (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

SB123

State Prisons And Prisoners

Committee passes bill speeding inmate paroles (Nevada Appeal article)

Our Inequitable Tax System

"A bill repealing a $7,000-per-year bank franchise fee and rolling back the modified business tax on financial institutions passed the Senate Taxation Committee on Thursday."

Committee OKs breaks for banks (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Legislators

Jon Ralston on why pols often find it easier to patronize than to lead (Las Vegas Sun column)

Jon Ralston on Politics: Old dogs, same tricks (In Business Las Vegas column)

The Lobbyists

"Las Vegas political lobbyist Thelma Clark, a 5-foot-1 spitfire, has been cornering politicians in Carson City for 13 consecutive legislative sessions, going back to 1981, advocating on behalf of seniors and others who otherwise have little political voice."

She won't quit as long as people need her help (Las Vegas Sun article)

The Governor Of Nevada

That Concocted Conspiracy Controversy

"He must manage the state's affairs, yes. He is expected also to manage himself -- or find someone to help him -- to speak in a way that portrays him as intelligent, issue-oriented, thoughtful and dignified, and that reflects well on the state and its people."

It's good policy to pause, reflect before tackling rumor, innuendo (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Last Year's Last-Minute Slime Job

April 14th probably can't come soon enough for Gibbons' staff (Ray Hagar column, Reno Gazette-Journal)

The Lieutenant Governor

The Missing Records At The State Treasurer's Office

"The Nevada Department of Public Safety has joined an investigation into the possible destruction of public documents in the state treasurer's office to determine whether any criminal wrongdoing occurred."

Paper probe picks up punch (Las Vegas Sun article)

The State Judiciary

"A Review-Journal series last month found that Clark County's system of assigning private attorneys to indigent defendants suffers from a lack of rules and oversight, hurting both the accused and the taxpayer."

Justices order look at indigent defense: Panel to study changes in assigning attorneys (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Supreme Court to study legal help for the poor (Nevada Appeal article)

High Court criticizes judge, prosecutor for ignoring order (Nevada Appeal article)

Byford v. State

Nevada's Economy

In Business Q&A: Dan Paulsen, Nevada Credit Union League president (In Business Las Vegas interview)

Local Government

City And County Of Carson

Mayor Teixeira pleads guilty to DUI: "This is the biggest embarrassment of my life" (Nevada Appeal article)

Mayor wastes little time hiding from his faults (Barry Ginter column, Nevada Appeal)

Clark County

Regional Transportation

"If funding is found, work could start early next year and finish by the end of next year."

I-15 express lanes, but no money, on drawing board (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"The Regional Transportation Commission on Thursday gave the go-ahead to start work on the western Las Vegas Valley interchange, despite concerns from one opponent that a new junction would spur development that the valley lacks enough water to support."

Interchange approved despite objection: Beltway, Lake Mead Boulevard will be connected by project (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

McCarran Airport

Tourism and Gaming: Benefits of McCarran car rental hub abound (In Business Las Vegas article)

The Real Estate Market

What slump? Luxury home sales remain hot (In Business Las Vegas article)

Developing Stories

Real Estate and Development: Could LV population hit 4 million by 2040? (In Business Las Vegas article)

"The Las Vegas Housing Authority finds itself in a peculiar situation, possibly a victim of its spotty past. Contractors don't seem to want to work for the agency, the largest of three housing authorities in the Las Vegas Valley."

If they come, they will build it: Companies ignore housing agency's ads for contractors (Las Vegas Sun article)

Douglas County

"County officials are looking at trimming department budgets, but commissioners could also consider a business license tax and increase in utility operator fees, all designed to shore up Douglas County's sagging revenue stream."

Budget cuts in works for county (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

"The report clearly states: 'There is a serious inability of Douglas County to address its future traffic needs.' And 'Douglas County is at a critical junction in its traffic system development.' That is putting it softly."

Traffic report should be a wake-up call (Raymond M. Smith column, Gardnerville Record-Courier)

"There are 740 square miles in Douglas County and it is nearly 60 miles from one tip to another. Two mountain ranges divide the county in thirds and yet, no matter where people live, they can count on their fire services."

Support our firefighters (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

Lake Tahoe Basin

Incline Village General Improvement District

Trustees prepare for spring (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Beach access may not be matter of principle (Ed Gurowitz column, North Lake Tahoe Bonanza)

The Real Estate Market

Average single-family home at Tahoe $1.4 million (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Regional Transportation

"The shuttle service runs three routes between the North Shore and the Reno/Tahoe Airport."

Tahoe-to-Reno shuttle ridership hits goals (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

The California Side

Focusing on breaking the teen drinking habit (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Truckee's need to reduce speed limits (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

Lyon County

Four apply for Lyon County manager job (Nevada Appeal article)

Washoe County

UPAY4ME Development Schemes

"The latest proposed area for annexation in the Virginia Range above the Southeast Truckee Meadows includes 2,020 acres, of which 1,130 would be developed. Some of these properties are near the Storey County line. Other property owners want to develop 1,177 acres of 2,438 acres on the high slopes of Peavine Peak."

Annexation plan to be considered on May 10 (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Politics

Municipal Elections

Wagner pays for recount in Henderson: He needs to make up 169-vote deficit to incumbent Hafen (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

__________

Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

In The Legislature

Higher education makes pitch: System officials urge lawmakers to maintain funding (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"Nevada lawmakers gave a cold shoulder Thursday to higher education, leaving university presidents resigned to the fact that they will have to make some deep cuts to their budget."

Higher education gets no love from lawmakers (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lawmakers, educators hash out budget cuts -- UNR president: Cuts would be devastating (Nevada Appeal article)

"With enrollment down and an expected $130 million shortfall in state revenue, Nevada higher education officials were told Thursday to decide where their $1.6 billion 2008-09 budget request can be cut."

Higher education officials told to cut budget request (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Regent discusses higher education (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Illegal Immigrants And The Millennium Scholarship

SB 415 Inches One Step Closer to Becoming Law (Todd Zuccato column, Silver State Libertarian Leanings)

SB415

Public Schools

In The Legislature

"A bill for new taxes to help the Washoe County School District build new schools and refurbish old ones passed a major hurdle Thursday at the Nevada Legislature."

Committee approves help for Washoe construction (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

SB141

"Ms. Cegavske's bill is a good one, and deserves approval. What's sad are the tiny baby steps Nevada's lawmakers are reduced to, while other states make far greater strides toward setting their children free."

School choice? Not so fast: Only a watered-down version of bill survives (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Clark County School District

Bell for high-schoolers stays at 7 a.m., board decides (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Douglas County School District

Less growth means less money for Douglas schools (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

"There will be new principals at three Douglas County schools when school starts in fall 2007."

Vacancies appear in Douglas school district (Gardnerville Record-Courier article)

Storey County School District

Open meeting complaint filed against Storey school board (Nevada Appeal article)

__________

Nevada Health Matters

In The Legislature

Health Care and Workplace: Assembly committee tackles medical proposals (In Business Las Vegas article)

University Medical Center

Banking and Marketing: Broke UMC finds cash for big newspaper ads (In Business Las Vegas article)

__________

Nevada's Environment

Lake Tahoe's Clarity

"The Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Thursday reported positive results with the release of its five-year Threshold Evaluation Report on the state of the Lake Tahoe's clarity and health."

Clarity study excludes lake's current depth (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

"The sentiment: We want a clear and healthy lake."

Making things a little bit clearer (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza editorial)

Signs Of Progress In Reno

"Reno is scheduled to have its first environmentally-friendly hybrid buses operating by the beginning of June."

RTC's hybrid blueprint ready to kick into gear (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"Not everyone can bike to work, use photovoltaic panels to power their homes or drive a hybrid vehicle around town even if they want to."

Officials promote GreenUP program (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"Electric vehicles are powered by batteries that free the drivers from gasoline and plug into a 110- or 220-volt household outlet and recharge over several hours reaching, 80 percent in two hours or a full charge in about six hours."

Electric car enthusiasts form club to tout vehicles (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

"Reno officials should be applauded for following through on their goals to move toward a green city and getting down to dealing with some details."

Use proposals to promote livability (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Pollution And Polluters

Nevada's carbon dioxide increase percentage highest: State 37th of 51 in terms of total amount released (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

New Report: Global Warming Pollution Up in 48 States Since 1990 (Public Interest Research Group Press Release, with links to report)

"Environmentalists have been saying for years that the Reid Gardner coal-fired power plant in Moapa is one of the worst polluters in the region."

$90 million settlement to clear the air (In Business Las Vegas article)

__________

Nevada Culture

The Destruction Of The European Jews

"As Passover comes to an end, local Jewish congregations prepare to honor and remember during Holocaust Remembrance Day Sunday, April 15."

The Holocaust - one of darkest times in history (North Lake Tahoe Bonanza article)

__________

From The Neon Empire

Labor Unions And Unionization

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

"Imperial Palace, once the most virulently anti-union property on the Strip, will almost certainly become unionized if it is not imploded by its new owners."

It's union time or demolition for Imperial Palace (Las Vegas Sun article)

MGM makes contract progress (In Business Las Vegas article)

Changing Times

"With the rise of luxury resorts and big locals joints, the family-run casino, once the primary ownership type in Nevada, is a dying breed."

Small casinos team up to play like the big boys, stay in loop (Las Vegas Sun article)

SB381

__________

Nevada's Past

Preserving Our Heritage

"Yes, we should do as much as possible to save our history, but the need is so much broader. If we fail, however, this one day will just be another dull city of little distinction. Now is the time to ensure that doesn't happen."

City's architectural heritage more than 'historic' buildings (Reno Gazette-Journal editorial)

Reno 1888-1892 (TNO Reading Room feature; click on image to enlarge)

__________

Nevada Journalism

Saying farewell to our beloved publisher (Gardnerville Record-Courier editorial)

__________

Federal Nevada

Immigration Reform

Editorial Writer Would Rather Deport Illegal Immigrants Than Solve Violent Crimes

"When responding to calls, interviewing suspects and making arrests, officers are, by department order, not allowed to inquire about immigration status. The defenders of this policy, which include the city's mayor and police chief, say it ensures that immigrant populations can report crimes and cooperate with authorities without fear of deportation."

Immigration status (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Veterans Affairs

Veterans deserve faster relief: Veterans Affairs Department is woefully inadequate in promptly handling disability claims (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

Nevada Army reservists to join war effort (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Surge Sweeps Up Nevada Reservists (Desert Beacon)

"The nation does not need a war czar. It already has one - the president, who is supposed to be the commander in chief. And, in the end, it is George W. Bush who must bear history's judgment about how these wars were planned and led."

No ducking responsibility: Once fond of calling himself a war president, Bush now wants czar to take charge (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

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

April 14, 2007

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Nevada Government

State Government

State Legislature

Tax And Spending Control (TASC), Other Bills Die Without A Vote

Make it or break it time here: Friday the 13th deadline unlucky for some pet legislative projects (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

LEGISLATURE: ALIVE BILLS (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

LEGISLATURE: DEAD BILLS (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Open Government: The Right To Know What You're Paying For

Lawmakers vote for open records bill: Bill's sponsor objects to amended version, says there's interest in people 'like Howard Hughes' (Associated Press article)

Suppression Of Human Trafficking

"I mean the other kind of coyote, also seldom seen nor heard -- the kind of coyote who deals in human trafficking and has contributed so much to the surge in illegal immigration from Mexico into this country."

New Assembly bill attempts to trap wily coyotes, but it will it fail (Kent Harper column, Ely Times)

Green Building

Tax breaks backed for buyers of energy-efficient houses (Associated Press article)

White Pine County Courthouse

Senate Finance hears testimony supporting Ely courthouse bill (Ely Times article)

Cheerleader Safety Bill

"Under Assembly Bill 386, authored by Mabey, R-Las Vegas, and approved unanimously by the Assembly Education Committee this week, the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association would be required to adopt mandatory qualifications for spirit squad coaches. Additionally, the state association would draft safety standards that "substantially comply" with the spirit squad rules of the National Federation of State High School Associations and the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Administrators, according to the bill's language."

Rough and tumble -- State may get tough with one of its most dangerous sports: Cheerleading (Las Vegas Sun article)

Lobbyists

Lobbyist spending tabulated: Food, drinks, receptions and other events cost $74,395, report shows (Associated Press article)

Nevada National Guard

Nevada Air National Guard to get new chief (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Our State's Economy

JANE ANN MORRISON: Salary list again indulges our curiosity about what the other guy makes (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Local Government

Clark County

Dead Kids

"Coleman's anger is rooted in her opinion that despite months of public study, debate and reports that detail the shortcomings and poor practices of Clark County's child welfare agency, change isn't happening fast enough to save children."

Child welfare advocate angry: Abused girl's case shows investigators not doing job, she says (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Urban Renewal

General Growth drops pursuit of Neonopolis (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"The company's decision is a setback for city officials who had hoped new ownership might invigorate the 250,000-square-foot, $100 million retail center that since opening in May 2002 has had trouble attracting and retaining tenants."

Potential buyer says no thanks to Neonopolis deal (Las Vegas Sun article)

Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority

"Since 2002, the convention authority has spent $131 million on ads featuring the slogan. In the meantime, it's forked over more than $732,000 trying to protect the slogan from copycats -- including $623,000 on a Reno case set to go to court later this month."

Copycat slogans: What happens at Derby stays at Derby? (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Elko County

Building permits show big gains (Elko Free Press article)

Washoe County

City Of Reno

"Echoing last month's decision by the Reno City Council, the Flood Project Coordinating Committee decided the bridge should be replaced, not restored. The bridge acts as a bottleneck during floods, causing water to spread through the downtown area."

Officials: Tear down historic bridge (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

White Pine County

City Of Ely

"George Chachas' days as Ely mayor are numbered, but his long-running dispute with the city shows no signs of letting up."

Mayor to be removed from office: Chachas sues almost entire city government (Ely Times article)

"The people have spoken. They do not want George Chachas to be their mayor. The Nevada Commission on Ethics has spoken. It intends to remove him from office as soon as possible."

As We See It: Chachas should quit now! (Ely Times editorial)

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Nevada Politics

State Democratic Party

Presidential Primaries

Dodd meets with NLV firefighters: Senator: Bush stonewalling on lost e-mails (Associated Press article)

Candidate Recruitment

Running for office would be mighty sporting of Reid's picks (Las Vegas Sun article)

State Republican Party

"Next week Nevada Republicans will propose working with Democrats to stage their respective presidential primary caucuses in January. Proxies have already begun the discussion, according to sources familiar with the conversations."

Strange bedfellows in politics: GOP wants Democrats' cooperation on Jan. 19 caucuses (Las Vegas Sun article)

Municipal Elections

Wells mayor, councilmen to face opposition (Elko Free Press article)

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Nevada's Environment

Mercury Pollution

Researchers at UNR to study mining waste link to mercury (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Bats Of McCarran

TAKING WING AT THE AIRPORT: Colony thrives, and officials don't bat an eye (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

The Truckee River

Water quality effort under way (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Earth Day

GBC plans activities to celebrate Earth Day (Elko Free Press article)

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Nevada Education Matters

Higher Education

Great Basin College

County to hear GBC master plan (Elko Free Press article)

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Nevada Mining

Robinson Mine breaks copper and gold records (Ely Times article)

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Nevada Culture

Holocaust Remembrance Day

Each day a gift for Holocaust survivor (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

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From The Neon Empire

When Will Casinos Start To Pay Their Fair Share Of State Taxes?

"The Transport Workers Union, which primarily represents workers in the airline and railroad industries, has petitioned the National Labor Relations Board for a secret-ballot election to represent Wynn Las Vegas dealers."

LOOKING IN ON: GAMING -- It's not your ordinary union looking at Wynn dealers (Las Vegas Sun article)

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Nevada's Past

NNRy

"What does a railroad do and why should I care?"

At the Throttle: RailCamp hooks younger generation (Mark Bassett column, Ely Times)

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Federal Nevada

Nevada's Congressional Delegation

Congressman Heller recognized (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Public Lands

"BLM Ely Field Manager John Ruhs informed White Pine County Commissioners Wednesday that he was rescinding the agency's February 2006 Record of Decision on the controversial Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) project."

Ruhs tells commission Lost Ox plan rescinded (Ely Times article)

Administration Purge Of Corruption-Fighting US Attorneys

More Mutually Contradicting Versions Of Firings

Documents on ousted U.S. attorneys appear to conflict: Officials widened search for Bogden fill-in after chief deputy balked (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Gonzales Aide Suggested Replacements for Attorneys (New York Times article)

Gonzales Aide Floated Replacements Early On (Washington Post article)

E-Mail Identified G.O.P. Candidates for Justice Jobs (New York Times article)

Indirect Costs Of The War On Terror

"The Justice Department has denied requests by the FBI to beef up its personnel to replace agents who have been assigned to counterterrorism roles. But the department owes it to victims of scams and civil rights violations to obtain the manpower necessary to investigate those crimes."

When the cats are away ...: White collar crimes and civil rights violations increase as funds shift to counterterrorism (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Transportation Safety

Air safety threat: Federal agency says scheduling problems persist, fatigue plagues air traffic controllers (Las Vegas Sun editorial)

Our Nation's Armed Forces

On the front lines — Elko-area men serving in Iraq (Elko Free Press article)

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April 15-16, 2007

[11:15 AM]

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The new issue of The Nevada Observer is up and ready for reading.  Check the center column for our latest features, articles and columns, including a special essay from the Governor on his first 100 days in office.

Nevada Government

State Government

State Legislature

Overviews

Nevada's part-time Legislature keeps its citizen roots (Associated Press article)

"In this unprecedented vacuum of leadership in Carson City, there's actually hope (albeit of the infinitesimal variety) for the Legislature to step up and pass something."

ERIN NEFF: An end to legislative gridlock over gridlock? (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

"The place has changed, they lament. It's more partisan and driven by personalities who can't seem to sit down and make a deal to move the state forward."

WEEK IN REVIEW: CARSON CITY -- Nostalgia reigns as state grows bigger and richer (Las Vegas Sun article)

Nevada Highways

"The real reason Ms. Buckley wants this new tax is to fund her all-day kindergarten scheme. She's just too clever to ask the voters, 'There may not be enough money for both; which do you want?'"

Keep on truckin'? Assembly bill targets big rigs to pay for roads (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

State Regulation Of Families And Family Affairs

"A local father who has for years been involved in a bitter struggle over custody issues involving his son is working to increase awareness in Nevada of a child custody-related syndrome he says can lead to depression, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts among the children of estranged parents."

LV father works to raise awareness: Syndrome disputed by victims rights activists (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Nevada Child Care Ranked Twelfth In Nation: Some Areas Need Improvement According To National Report (Nevada Observer article)

Trafficking In Human Beings

Nevada's Immigration Laws Getting Some Teeth: Attorney General Cortez Masto Supports Assembly Bill 383 (Nevada Observer article)

AB383

State Prisons And Prisoners

"A last-minute amendment to legislation designed to relieve prison overcrowding will prevent it from releasing any current inmates early, prison officials said Friday."

Amended prison bill prevents release of current inmates (Nevada Appeal article)

Late amendment puts off any early release of inmates: Panel tacks last-minute change onto prison overcrowding bill (Associated Press article)

A Controlling Compulsion

"At any rate, Nevadans are already subjected to too many laws. Perhaps next session, lawmakers will embrace our plan to require the Legislature to repeal two state statutes for every one passed each session."

Strangled in committee (Las Vegas Review-Journal editorial)

Some People Simply Can't Live Without Rules: Iconoclasts, Libertarians, Others Consider Fewer Rules Better (Nevada Observer editorial)

Tip Pooling

"According to Wynn dealers and to an e-mail leaked to the Business Press, no member of the committee, which is chaired by Bernie Anderson (D-Washoe County), spoke in support of AB 357."

Wynn dealers file for union vote: Tip-pooling bill dies in committee (Las Vegas Business Press article)

The Governor Of Nevada

Progress Reports

Our First One Hundred Days Have Produced Progress: My Commitment To You Is Being Fulfilled And There Is More To Come (Gov. Jim Gibbons column, The Nevada Observer)

Online extra: Q/A with the governor (Reno Gazette-Journal interview)

He Also Ran

"When asked what Gov. Jim Gibbons should be commended for during his first 100 days in office, Reno Mayor Bob Cashell didn’t have much to say."

Mayor Cashell mum on Gibbons (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Taxes And Fines: Fines Affect Wrongdoers, Taxes Affect Everyone

"Gov. Jim Gibbons has said he would veto any tax or fee increase passed by the Legislature. Increased fines, however, are OK."

No tax increases 'fine' with Gibbons (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

Honesty Not Always The Best Policy In A Partisan Setting

Think "No Comment"

JANE ANN MORRISON: Following governor's lead, columnist lets rumor mill run wild for a day (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

It Never Hurts To Ask If The Writer's Being Honest

GEOFF SCHUMACHER: Nevada politicians would have amused Vonnegut (Las Vegas Review-Journal column)

Repeat After Me: There Is No Partisan Press Cabal

"What we also need is for the people who elected him, the people who vouched for Congressman Jim Gibbons as the next Nevada governor, the people who put their credibility and their resources on the line to convince others that Gibbons was what Nevada needed - we need them to step forward and take ownership in that which they have wrought."

Brian Greenspun tells Gibbons supporters (you know who you were) to step up, back him up (Las Vegas Sun column)

Jon Ralston on why, after the winter and spring storms of criticism pass, Gov. Jim Gibbons, propped up by Nevada's system, could still stand tall (Las Vegas Sun column)

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Looking back, event wasn't much of a party -- Event for Dawn Gibbons in 2005 was organized by embattled lawmaker (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

"'I think he has had the roughest go in his first 100 days in office of any governor in my lifetime,' said Richard Bryan, 69, who was Nevada's Democratic governor from 1983 to 1989."

Gibbons ends rough act 1 (Reno Gazette-Journal article)

The Problem Of Methamphetamine

Governor's Meth Group Offers First Report: Group Will Work For Full Year In Fight Against Insidious Drug (Nevada Observer article)

Nevada Voting

Nevada: HAVA Compliant: With Registration Link Computerized Data Base Links All Counties (Nevada Observer article)

Tobacco Prohibition And Prohibitionists

Prohibition, Rollin Kirby cartoon (click on image to enlarge)

"The legal fallout from the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act continues with the state of Nevada filing its own appeal of the district court decision that upheld the law’s civil penalties, but invalidated the criminal sanctions."

State appeals to reinstate smoking penalties (Las Vegas Business Press article)

State Economy

NEVADA ECONOMY: Smaller, getting bigger -- State's small-business staffs grow by 1.3 percent in first quarter, data show (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Regional Economy

The EDAWN Of A New Day

Economic Forces At Work In Northern Nevada: Perception Outside Nevada Not In Line With Reality (Nevada Observer article)

Southern Nevada's $kindustry Alive And Well

"The chamber, established in July 2004, is a trade group for adult-oriented companies denied membership in more mainstream chambers, said Michael Russell, the organization's executive vice president and partner."

Sin City chamber means business: Adult industry gets chance to network (Las Vegas Review-Journal article)

Civic Spirit

Nevada ranks dead last in volunteer rates (Associated Press article)

Local Government

Mounting Costs Of Local Government: Rampant In The South; Ignored In The North

The Problem Won't Solve Itself, Folks

"High salaries, huge amounts of paycheckfattening overtime and exceedingly generous pensions for public employees throughout Southern Nevada today consume hundreds of millions of tax dollars annually - and will be an even bigger drain on municipal budgets in the future."

Feeding Frenzy: Public employees' bite on taxpayers will get more painful in years to come (Las Vegas Sun article)

"Even in a city where astronomical dollar figures are the norm - the $7 billion CityCenter project, $200,000-per-hand blackjack whales, $300 bottles of vodka - you still can do a lot with $17.2 million."