Vol. 1,  No. 13 May 1, 2004

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State Political Parties Seek Harmony Within Ranks

by Johnny Gunn

First, The Democrats

The state Democratic Convention was held April 16-18 in Las Vegas and drew about 920 delegates.  When the smoke had cleared, a 38-page platform had been debated at length and adopted.  They had to get the platform adopted within time constraints because the casino in which the convention was held had booked the rooms.

There will be 32 national delegates to present the platform to Democratic National Committee discussion.

Among the highlights of the platform is a call to impeach President George W. Bush.  The platform opposes any judicial appointee who opposes Roe vs Wade; supports repeal of the Patriot Act and opposes its renewal; supports the equal protection of rights and responsibilities for domestic partners, including same-sex couples; urges immediate transfer of all Guantanomo detainees to the criminal court system; and opposes the death penalty.

Other planks oppose tax cuts made during the current Bush administration be made permanent, opposes deconsolidation of the Clark County school district, supports repealing the No Child Left Behind Act, and opposes tort damage caps.

The Democratic State Central Committee is scheduled to meet again in August, in Tonopah, and it's expected there will be moves made to change or at least alter some of the platform planks.  During the Las Vegas meetings, heated debate flared over the plank dealing with women's rights to abortion.  Some suggested it not be mentioned at all.  There wasn't that much debate over same-sex marriage.

•••

GOP Convention Ends Today

Never as contentious as the democrats, the republicans are holding their state Convention in Reno this weekend, April 29-May 1.  There will probably be about 300 delegates in attendance at the Peppermill Hotel-Casino for the event.

The group will be part of a nation-wide hookup of state conventions with about 5,000 Republicans being able to hear the keynote address given by Vice President Dick Cheney.  The speeches will be broadcast by telephone line to the various conventions.

A platform including planks championed by President George W. Bush is expected, and party leaders will be working to gear up election workers around the state.  Republicans carried the state in the last general election, and currently hold the edge in registered voters. 

Among those expected to be in attendance is Representative Jim Gibbons (R-NV) looking for his fifth term, and openly discussed as a possible gubernatorial candidate in 2006.

The Republican National Convention is scheduled to be held in New York in September, and delegates in Reno will pick 33 of their own to represent Nevada.  Thirty alternates will also be chosen.

•••

Independent American Party

The state convention of Nevada's third largest political party, the Independent American Party (AIP) was also held last weekend in Las Vegas.  Among those scheduled to speak was former Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice Roy Moore.  Moore is the man who moved a two and a half-ton granite sculpture of the Ten Commandments into the Alabama judicial building setting off a nation-wide debate over the separation of church and state.  A federal judge ruled the chunk of stone violated the separation principle and consequently the judge was dismissed from office.

Moore was scheduled to speak on Saturday and the speech was open to the public, according to AIP Chairman Joel Hansen.  It was anticipated that 30 to 50 delegates would be on hand for the convention.  There are 17,942 registered IAP voters in the state according to the latest figures released by the Secretary of State.

A guest of the party was Constitution Party candidate for President Michael Peroutka.  The Independent American Party of Nevada is closely aligned with the Constitution Party, nationally.

The AIP is most known for its staunch support of pro-life issues and decreasing the size and importance of the federal government.  They have been vocal in attempts to repeal the Patriot Act, and have worked to repeal the massive 2003 tax increase demanded by Governor Kenny Guinn.

The party has been on and off the ballot since the 1960s, and was founded by the late Dan Hansen of Reno.  Some say the party is primarily a function of the Hansen family in Nevada, but as shown above, it is the third largest political party in the state.

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They'll Be Lined Up At The Front Door Monday

A two-week feeding frenzy will kick off Monday, May 3 at courthouses, county buildings, and certain government offices in Carson City as the official filing period for public office opens.  There have been numerous people come forward to say they intend to run for office, and now is when they put their campaign dollars on the line and say, "I do."

The official filing period will run through May 14 for candidates.  There are different filing dates for referendum and petition filing.  May 18 is the deadline for local filing of referenda to change state law, and for those gathering signatures on petitions to change our constitution, the filing deadline is June 15.

For local candidates, this will be a busy year.  All seats in the state Assembly are up for election, several seats in the Senate are on the line, and several seats on the Supreme Court will be fought over.  In a surprise move Supreme Court Justice Deborah Agosti has said she does not intend to seek reelection, citing a combination of health issues and a need to be with her family.  Agosti recently was hospitalized for heart problems that may have led to this decision. 

There is also speculation that because of the 6-1 decision handed down by the high court, and written by Justice Agosti dealing with the last legislative sessions, that she was having difficulty raising enough cash to sustain a hard fought campaign.  There had been a short-lived attempt to have her recalled.  Most of the money that is raised in statewide campaigns originates in southern Nevada, and most of that is either gaming or development related.  Both groups were against the Supreme Court decision.

The race for Agosti's seat is getting very active.  Clark County District Judge Ron Parraguirre has said he plans to make a bid for the high court, and he will be joined by entertainment attorney John Mason, and Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Douglas Smith.

There are some that say this race could involve as much as $1 million in campaign expenses.  The Supreme Court seats are very expensive, and as The Observer pointed out in the last edition, one justice, not even opposed, had accepted a quarter of a million dollars in contributions.  Mason says he has already raised $400,000, and his television ads have already begun.

Parraguirre won't say how much money he has raised, but says it is considerable.  He's the one who called this a million-dollar race.  Parraguirre is expected to make much of the fact he is a born and raised Nevadan.  He was born in Reno and raised and educated in Las Vegas.  His family has been involved in public service in the Silver State for four generations.

Besides those offices mentioned above, several counties will be electing members of their Boards of County Commissioners, Districts Attorney, and cities will be looking to fill local offices as well.

All three of Nevada's Congressional seats will be contested, and one U.S. Senate seat.

One can register to vote at any time in Nevada, but to take part in the Primary Election this cycle, you must be registered before August 17.  Early voting begins August 21 and runs through September 3.  The Primary Election will be held on September 7.

For those interested in knowing where the candidates are getting their money, and to a degree where it's being spent, the first of the Contributions and Expenses (C&E) reports is due August 31.

Secretary of State Dean Heller reports the number of active registered voters in Nevada continues to climb and is close to reaching 900,000.  As of March 30, 2004, the number of active registered voters in the Silver State had increased to 872,632. The number of registered Republicans (360,503) continues to outpace the number of registered Democrats (351,813), with the number of non-partisan registered voters now standing at 131,980.  It's expected that boxcar loads of money will be spent to sway the minds of the non-partisan electors 

“As the 2004 Election draws nearer, we continue to hear that Nevada will be one of the so-called ‘battleground states’ that could decide the Presidential race,” Heller said.  “Each party, both at the state and national level, is working aggressively to increase the number of registered voters.  I’m quite sure we’ll continue to see such efforts magnify as we move closer to the Election.”

Party affiliation within the three Congressional Districts:

District 1 (Clark County): 107,321 Democrats; 73,919 Republicans; Non-partisan 33,554.

District 2 (parts of Clark County and the rest of Nevada): 159,006 Republicans; 117,794 Democrats; Non-partisan 50,196.

District 3 (Clark County): 127,520 Republicans; 126,675 Democrats; Non-partisan 48,207.

Total active registration:

Republican: 360,503

Democrat: 351,813

Non-partisan: 131,980

Independent American: 17,942

Libertarian: 4,956

Green: 2,551

Natural Law: 902

Reform: 194

Other: 1,791

To view a breakdown of the number of registered voters for each county, assembly and senate district, or for more information on Nevada elections, go to http://secretaryofstate.biz, click on “Elections” and then scroll down to “Voter Registration Reports.” 

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Another Petition Drive Is Underway

A drive is underway to increase the minimum wage in the Silver State from $5.15 to $6.15.  Sponsored by the AFL-CIO, the drive is also supported by the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada.  The drive will have to accumulate 51,234 valid signatures by June 15 in order to find its way to the ballot.

The union points out there are 165,000 union members in Nevada.

The federally mandated minimum wage is $5.15 per hour, but the law does not prohibit individual states from increasing that.  Twelve states have set the minimum wages higher than the federal level.

The petition would amend the state constitution and would require it to be accepted at the polls this November and again in November 2006.  There are some exclusions.  As listed on the petition, those under 18-years would be exempt as would companies that provide health care insurance for employees.

Public Meetings Scheduled For Nuclear Waste Rail Route

by Johnny Gunn

The Department of Energy (DOE) has scheduled five public meetings for the first two weeks of May to discuss their plans to build a 319-mile railroad through Nevada.  The meetings are scheduled for Monday, May 3, in Amargosa Valley, Tuesday May 4 in Goldfield, Wednesday, May 5 in Caliente, Wednesday, May 12 in Reno, and Monday, May 17 in Las Vegas.  All the meetings are scheduled to begin at 4:00 p.m.

DOE is in the process of opening the nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain, some 90 miles north of Las Vegas, and at the same time, developing a way of getting the highly radioactive waste transported to the facility from 127 sites located across the country.  There is considerable opposition to the plans for the repository, and now, for building a rail line through Lincoln, Nye, and Esmeralda Counties.

The purpose of the May meetings is to develop an environmental impact statement (EIS) for the rail line.  The proposed line will begin in Caliente in Lincoln County, head north and skirt around the vast Nellis Air Force Base bombing ranges and the old Tonopah Test Range mostly in Nye County, then head south again through Esmeralda County, before reentering Nye County and eventually arriving at the Yucca Mountain site.

Nevada's congressional delegation has asked for more time and for more public meetings.  The Silver State lawmakers had asked for a total of ten meetings to be held over a much longer period of time, and in a broader geographic area.  DOE has added two meetings, one in Las Vegas, one in Reno.  The original plans did not have scoping meetings in either of Nevada's prime cities.

DOE insists they can build this rail within four years, but if you're familiar with the re-trac project that is currently underway in Reno, or Las Vegas's monorail project, it's hard to accept.  Re-trac is only a couple of miles long, and that project will take at least two, maybe three more years to complete.  Cost projections for the 319 mile long rail line have been estimated by outside sources at well over $2 billion.

All those who may be impacted by the rail line are not necessarily against the project.  For instance, Caliente Mayor Kevin Phillips has said he is looking forward to the possibility of new jobs being opened up in the Lincoln County city.  In comments to a legislative subcommittee, Phillips pointed out that thirty years ago, the state legislature was in favor of the Nevada Test Site being used as a nuclear waste repository.

The rail line will impact a considerable amount of property, some of it public land, some of it ranches, some of it mining sites, and many of the ranchers along the route have been complaining that they have not been kept current on DOE activities.

According to Robin Sweeney, the EIS Document Manager for the project, written statements will be accepted by her office through May 24.  At the May meetings, written or oral statements may be made, and she pointed out that special accommodations can be made available at each of the sites for those who might have difficulty entering the buildings.

In the meantime, charges of open meeting law violations have surfaced following meetings between leaders of the three counties that will be impacted by the rail line.  County commissioners from Nye County, Esmeralda County, and Lincoln County, along with the mayor and a city councilman from Caliente have been accused of violating that law. 

The charges were filed with Attorney General Brian Sandoval by a reporter from the Las Vegas Sun, Stephen Curran.  The group that met on April 21 in Pahrump, Nye County, call themselves the Central Nevada Community Protection Planning Working Group.

Attorney General spokesman Tom Sargent said an inquiry has begun.  The meeting in question took place at the Pahrump Community Library.  According to Caliente Mayor Kevin Phillips, the April 21 meeting wasn't the first for the group.  He said it's an informal group of interested individuals who have met previously in Goldfield, Las Vegas, and Caliente.

There was no agenda posted for the meeting.

Southwest Gas Asking For Hefty Rate Increase

Nevada Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is scheduled to act on a staff recommendation for a slightly lower rate increase than asked for by Southwest Gas Corporation.  Nevada's leading natural gas distributor is asking for a $43.3 million increase, saying it needs that to recover money it spent buying natural gas last year.

According to figures made available to the Observer, 450,000 southern Nevada customers could look for their monthly bills to rise from the current average of $35.80 to about $41.77.  The rate is expected to go into effect in June.

In northern Nevada where natural gas is used as a heating fuel, the current average bill could rise to $69.79 per month.  There are about 100,000 customers of the company in the north.

There is a second rate increase being debated by the PUC for Southwest Gas, a 6.2% increase to allow the company to recover office expenses as well as improvements.  If passed, that rate increase would take effect in September.

For more information on these and other Public Utilities Commission actions, go to http://www.puc.state.nv.us or for information from Southwest Gas, see http://www.swgas.com.

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PUC Adopts New Renewable Energy Regulations

(Carson City) -- The Public Utilities Commission has adopted new regulations that require the economic impact and environmental benefits of renewable resources be considered by the state’s electric utilities when making long-term energy plans.  Additionally, the utilities will be offered financial incentives for developing new renewable resources.

“The regulations adopted today are designed to improve the resource planning process and encourage the development of new generation, both renewable and traditional,” said Don Soderberg, PUC chairman.  “The benefits of renewable resources need to be considered by the utilities in developing a long-term strategy for the energy supply of the state.” 

Under the new regulations, the Commission has the option to adopt guidelines for designating a project as “critical” for several reasons including protecting reliability, promote supply diversity and develop renewable resources.  In return, the utility may be awarded a financial incentive, such as an enhanced return on equity, for meeting the objective. 

“Reducing our reliance upon imported energy and focusing on developing our own resources will improve reliability and insulate us from the volatile wholesale energy markets,” said Soderberg.

Under Nevada law, Nevada Power Company and Sierra Pacific Power Company are required to file a resource plan every three years outlining detailed plans for meeting the energy needs of the state for the next 20 years.

Washoe County Budget Woes May Have Come To An End

(Reno) ---  After three years of belt-tightening and budget reductions, a broad-based economic expansion allows Washoe County to restore prior year reductions that have had a severe impact on services as well as recommend additional monies in the proposed budget for 2004-2005.

For the fiscal year 2004-2005, the Washoe County finance department is proposing to restore $1.7 million in prior year reductions and consider $2.1 million in increases above base budgets that will be sustainable in a healthy economy. Increased revenues will come from sales taxes and property taxes.

"There is much optimism for the current year, but we must remain cautious for the next fiscal year, when we expect the economy to taper slightly," Darin Conforti, Acting

Budget Manager told the County Commissioners in a workshop today.

The proposed General Fund budget is $271 million for next fiscal year, up from the projected $266 million budget for the current fiscal year. The increase will allow the County to restore jobs frozen through hiring deferrals over the past two years.

The report to the Commission outlined several other items that help build long-term financial stability while promoting cautious fiscal expansion and provide a foundation from which to exercise prudent fiscal management:

• A continued balanced investment in needed infrastructure such as the Mills Lane Justice Facility, the Incline Library project and the Sparks Justice Court

• Utilizing draft recommendations this year from the citizen task force Charting Our Course...Investing in Our Future committee that prioritizes funding of public and legally mandated services, revenue performance and fiscal management

• A six-month hiring deferral has been reduced to three months (the hiring deferral is not required to balance the proposed budget but is being kept in place as a tool to respond to changes in the economy)

The County Commissioners will hold another workshop April 26 and are scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed final budget Monday, May 17.

Manufacturing, Business Good; Gaming Still Weak In North

A series of surveys conducted over the past six months indicates that business outside gaming in Washoe County is strong and getting stronger, but gaming isn't keeping stride.  In a three phase survey released by the Economic Development Authority of Western Nevada (EDAWN), manufacturing interests in the north are expecting to add almost 2,000 jobs during the current year while tourism and gaming interests are only looking at possibly 115 new jobs.

The survey was conducted by Business Builders, a division of EDAWN.  Tourism in northern Nevada took a severe hit from September 11, and is feeling the effects of Indian gaming in nearby California, the primary market for the north.

General business, that is, finance, insurance, transportation and others are anticipating adding some 651 new jobs this year, and expanding by way of capital investment by $40 million.  Manufacturing is planning capital expenditures of $55 million, and gaming $19 million.

The economic diversity of the north is broad with strong investment in warehousing, manufacturing, and transportation.  Reno and Sparks are served by Interstate 80, the Intercontinental Railway, and Reno Tahoe International Airport.  With Nevada's freeport laws, business interests find comfortable economic reasons to settle in the north.

Manufacturing interests told surveyors they were planning on adding another half million square feet of space during the coming months.

The Business Builders surveyed 33 tourism, gaming, and recreation companies, 61 manufacturing companies, and 66 general business companies.

Gaming and tourism interests are expected to broaden their approach to increase visitor numbers, including adding the fact that northern Nevada is the playland of the state.  Lakes Tahoe and Pyramid are close by, Reno has just put in a Whitewater Park, world class skiing is available every winter, there is vast areas available for camping, hiking, and other outdoor activities, and for the most part, these things have been ignored by the casinos in the past. 

One thought that came about following the demise of the "family operated" casinos in favor of major international corporate casinos, was, "Don't let 'em out the door."  Studies done within the past few years have indicated that a younger more active tourist is what is needed to bring more economic stability to the industry.

EDAWN is a private, non-profit corporation that came into existence in 1982, and works with the Northern Nevada Development Authority (NNDA).  See http://www.edawn.org for more details.

The Buzz Around the Silver State

From our Correspondents

The Capital

(Carson City) --- Attorney General Brian Sandoval announced that the State of Nevada received its annual payment of $36,494,661.00 under the tobacco Master Settlement Agreement.  In 1998, forty-six states signed the tobacco settlement agreement with the major cigarette manufacturers who agreed to pay over $200 billion over the following 25 years to the states.  The four remaining states signed their own agreements with the companies.  In addition, the companies agree to cigarette marketing restrictions.

“This office is charged with ensuring that the settlement is honored,” said Sandoval. “Nevada uses these payments to fund the Millennium Scholarships, prescription drug and assisted living programs for senior citizens and efforts to prevent and treat tobacco-related illnesses.  Better educated people use significantly less tobacco, so the Millennium Scholarships are one way to reduce smoking among Nevada's youth; another is our enforcement of laws to prevent minors from purchasing tobacco products.  The Master Settlement payments end in twenty years, so the Scholarships, along with our efforts to prevent underage smoking, are an investment in future cost reduction for our state.”

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(Carson City) --- Las Vegas Assemblyman Chad Christensen (R) has been fined for his campaign finance reporting misadventures.  Secretary of State Dean Heller announced a fine of $4,500 to cover three separate offenses.  Christensen was charged with omitting contributions, failure to report expenses in excess of $100, and failure to itemize expenses in excess of $100. 

By law, NRS 294A.420, Christensen could have been fined up to $5,000 for each violation.  It's believed that Christensen was helpful in the investigation, and that may have led to a lesser fine.  Heller said he is "a strong believer in the public's right to know," and while talking about candidates in general, went on to say, "I feel it necessary to send a clear and precise message to Mr. Christensen and other candidates."

•••

(Washington) --- With the fire season upon us, local, state, and federal fire agencies have geared up, and will be fighting those wildland fires from the air, but possibly with new regulations imposed by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

Following deadly crashes caused by stress fatigue cracking in wings and engine mounts, new rules for maintenance are being proposed for this year.  Generally, the aircraft used for fighting fires are retired military craft, some even with combat experience.  Metal fatigue has been blamed on three crashes within the last decade, two of them most recently.

In 2002 a C-130A, almost half a century old, broke apart in bid air, losing both wings, and crashing on fire.  The crew was killed in that crash that took place near Walker, California, just across the border from Douglas County, Nevada.  According to NTSB investigators, it was metal stress that caused the wings to break away, severing fuel lines which in turn exploded.

There was a similar crash of an aging PB4Y-2 in Colorado.  That plane broke apart in mid air, and the crash killed the crew.

•••

(Carson City) --- It's not just music pirates that are feeling the pinch at the end of the long arm of the law these days.  Attorney General Brian Sandoval issued search and seizure warrants against general merchandise store Hot Cars recently.  The chain clothing and merchandising outfit has stores in Reno and Las Vegas, and according to the AG's office, have been charged with foisting off counterfeit merchandise, or selling merchandise with false logos.  They could be charged with counterfeiting or selling, displaying, advertising, or having in their possession with intent to sell goods with a false trademark of a value in excess of $1,000 or more than 100 units.  The charges are felonies.

If you believe you may have purchased some counterfeit merchandise from a Hot Cats store, contact the Attorney General's Bureau of Consumer Protection.  In Las Vegas, 702-486-3194, and in Reno, 775-688-1818.  The number in the capital is 775-687-6300.  For more information, log onto the Attorney General's web site, http://ag.state.nv.us.

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Douglas County

(Gardnerville) – The Public Utilities Commission today approved an application by the Washoe Tribe of Nevada and California to participate in the Solar Energy Systems Demonstration Program.

“I would like to congratulate the Washoe Tribe on becoming the first participant in the Solar Demonstration Program,” said Don Soderberg, PUC chairman.  “By installing a PV system, the Washoe Tribe will help reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and will provide a showcase for sustainable development.”

The Solar Energy Systems Demonstration Program was created by the passage of AB 431 in the 2003 legislative session and provides incentives to participants utilizing photovoltaics (PV) or solar energy for generating electricity.

The Tribe plans to install three 2.5-kilowatt (“kW”) modular photovoltaic solar panels for a total of 7.5 kW on the Washoe Environmental Protection Department building in Gardnerville, Nev. 

The Tribe acquired the modular building and moved it to the site last year with the intent of installing a PV system as well as demonstrating a variety of sustainable development practices.

According to the application, the Tribe has met the program requirements for public buildings by making the project available for public display as well as by using a contractor licensed for solar installations.

Through the incentive program, the Tribe will be eligible for the $5 per watt buy-down or may elect to transfer the Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) associated with the project to the utility by signing a contract.

•••

 White Pine County

(Ely) --- Ely Mayor Bob Miller was ordered out of office and Mayor Pro Tem Shane Bybee has taken the gavel, at least until the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting.  That will be May 13.

Miller's residency was challenged by former Ely Mayor George Chachas, and after considerable judicial wrangling, Miller was ousted.  The law District Judge Andrew Puccinelli sited wasn't whether Miller's official residency was Ely, but rather, where was he living.  Miller maintained a residence in Ely, and a mail box, and his voter registration, but because of a serious family illness, he was actually living with his mother, just outside the city's boundary line.

Bybee said he will place appointment of a new mayor on the council agenda for May 13, and the council will be accepting applications for the position.  Miller said he would apply, pointing out he had been elected with a 52 percent majority.

Chachas has not said whether he would apply.  Chachas was recalled as mayor.

•••

(Ely) --- White Pine County residents, along with other Nevadans are picking up stock certificates at a fast pace according to representatives of the Community Owned Mercantile Project (COMP).  The goal is $400,000, and at the rate of stock sales, it will be reached well before a self-imposed deadline of October 2004.  Stock is selling in $500 blocks, and at latest count, more than $105,000 has been collected.

The Community Mercantile is designed to replace the JC Penney store that recently closed, leaving the county without a general merchandise clothing outlet.

According to COMP representatives, the money being collected is going into a trust account that can't be spent until the goal is reached.  In the event the $400,000 goal isn't reached, they say all the money will be returned.