Vol. 2, No. 1
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Oct. 31, 2004
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CRIMINAL DEFENSE |
COPYWRITING
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Makeup Of Legislature Changes Slightly Following Elections
Republicans Have Lost Seats In Both Houses Despite President Bush Win
Democrats in the state Legislature have picked up four seats, but the leadership in the houses doesn't look much different than last session's. Democrat Dina Titus returns to her seat of power, Senate Minority Chair, while Republican Senator Bill Raggio returns as Majority Leader. Raggio also maintains his post as chairman of the powerful Senate Finance Committee.
In the Assembly, Democrat Richard Perkins will continue as Speaker. Democrats hold a majority in the Assembly, 26-16 while Republicans continue to control the Senate, 12-9. It may be several weeks before Assembly committee appointments are known, according to Perkins.
In the Senate, Raggio has made a few appointments known. Bob Beers, moving from the Assembly to the Senate has been named Finance vice-chair. Beers was strongly opposed to the tax increase passed during the last legislative session, and used that as part of his campaign to oust Senator Ray Rawson, a supporter of the tax measure.
One change in the Finance Committee will be its make-up. Only four republicans will serve, instead of five, because the GOP lost a Senate seat during the election. The Finance Committee will have three Democrats on board.
Senator Mark Amodei (Carson City) is president pro tem, Senator Dennis Nolan (Las Vegas) will serve as assistant majority leader, Senator Dean Rhoads (Tuscarora) will be majority whip, and Senator Sandra Tiffany (Henderson) sill serve as assistant majority whip.
Democrats in the Senate are hailing the fact that seven-member committees will have three Dems because of the Republican loss of one seat. According to Senate Democratic leaders, there won't be any significant changes in committee assignments, but with the addition of one member on some committees.
Although the Republicans will hold the edge in numbers in committees, often, legislation passes from a north-south angle rather than party make-up. There are many more legislators from southern Nevada than from the northern and rural counties.
Taxes To Be High On The "To-Do" List When Legislature Meets
Homeowners North And South Getting Massive Property Tax Increases
After a long period in which property values soared around the sate and sellers were smiling ear-to-ear, the party may be coming to an end. Tax assessors in all the State's counties are getting ready to send out the notices that will create some strong pressure on the legislature to figure out some way to control the issue.
Some are calling for property tax caps, others say, market value, market value. Land values in Clark County, based on home sales, are up as much as 50 percent. Some proponents of property tax caps say that it isn't right for governments to benefit from the increased value of land.
Property taxes in northern Nevada have skyrocketed as well, and homeowners in some of the more high-end areas of Washoe County are already screaming. When Board of Equalization meetings were held recently, some home owners in Incline Village at north Lake Tahoe filed suit saying they weren't properly noticed of the meetings.
The Nevada Supreme Court just ruled 4-2 the county did follow the law in their advance notices. The open meeting law requires a three-day notification to property owners, and the court said that was the case.
Washoe County Deputy District Attorney, Leslie Admirand said, "Allegations to the contrary are simply unsupported in fact and law."
Washoe County Assessor Bob McGowan said the County goes over and above the general notification requirements.
C&E Reports Not Received By Secretary Of State
The Secretary of State's office has not received the Contributions and Expenses (C&Es) reports from county officials as we go to press. According to Steve George, Secretary Dean Heller's representative, the reports filed with the secretary's office rather than a county clerk are all in and on time.
George said that as the counties verify the vote from November 2, they will put together the C&E reports from those that file with county clerks and get them in. In the past, many politicians feel that if they lose their respective elections, it isn't necessary to file. "That's not true," says George. "Everyone, win, lose, or draw, must file."
Reports for the first and second filing period are due now according to Heller.
Supreme Court Sides With Agencies: Says They Can Restrict Petitioners
In what some are calling a surprise move, the Nevada Supreme Court struck down a lower court ruling that had given groups attempting to gather signatures on petitions the right to do so on state owned property, in particular, the campus of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV). The decision was unanimous and said that government agencies can require groups gathering signatures to give advance notice of their intent, and on top of that, some areas can be restricted from use by the groups.
The ruling stems from a Clark County District Court decision that UNLV did not allow a group to gather signatures.
The court however, upheld a Washoe County District Court ruling that forbid the Regional Transportation Authority in Washoe County to stop people from gathering signatures at the regional facility in downtown Reno. Two people were arrested for trespassing, and the court said they were fully within their rights to attempt to gather signatures at that location.
Apparently the difference between the cases stems from the fact the university campus had rented one of its buildings to a private group for a private meeting, and therefore, the location was no longer a public place.
The high court affirmed the right of state agencies to ask for advance notice of petition signature gathering, and also the right to set aside specific areas for signature gathering.
Highway Patrol Reports Radios Are On Line In The South
After millions of dollars and hopefully hundreds of red faces, it appears that at least part of the new $14 million Nevada Highway Patrol radio system is up and working. At least in Clark County. There is no report from the north and rural counties as yet.
At first, the state spent $15 million on a radio system that was illegal for them to use. In fact, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is still debating whether or not to fine the state for using frequencies they had not been assigned. Then, the Department of Public Safety, of which the Highway Patrol is part, spent another $14 million on a system that apparently wasn't compatible with any other system in the state.
At some point, after spending this much money, and putting the state in a position that fines could total well into the millions as well, it is assumed that the entire Nevada Highway Patrol will be on a legal radio system that works. Some officers in the northern and rural counties have been forced to use their cell phones for communication.
Need A Payday Loan? Protect Yourself Says Attorney General
Some Interest Rates At Shark Infested Levels: More Than 400 Percent Rates Being Charged
A consumer advisory has been issued by Attorney General Brian Sandoval dealing with so-called Pay Day Loan and other check advance type companies that are proliferating throughout Nevada. "These loans come with a hefty price tag," Sandoval says, "because there is no statutory limit on loan interest in Nevada."
As an example, Sandoval says "if a consumer wants $100 in cash, the consumer might write a check for $116.50, the difference being the interest." He says the company would be charging an annual percentage rate (APR) of 434 percent. "That compares to about 24 percent a common rate with credit card companies."
Sandoval recommends credit counseling if you find yourself having to take out loans between paydays on a regular basis. If you feel you are a victim of criminal activity after dealing with one of these companies, contact the Financial Institutions Division of the Attorney General's office. In northern Nevada call 775-684-1830, and in the south, call 702-486-4120.
For a complete look at what the Attorney General's office does, go to http://ag.state.nv.us.
Casino Take State-Wide Up: Second Largest Total Dollars
Washoe County Rebounding From Recent Slumps, And Elko Also
Statewide, casinos in Nevada showed an increase in their 'take' during September by ten percent compared to September of last year. Often referred to as their 'win,' it is the money collected from gamblers who didn't win, and the figures are gross amounts, not including any operating expenses or income.
In September, casinos around the Silver State brought in $924.78 million compared to $840.7 million in September 2003. Clark County led the state, showing a win of $753.27 million, up 10.29 percent. Washoe County casinos grossed $92.61 million in gambling revenue, up 7.56 percent.
Elko County, also rebounding from poor showings this year compared to last, was up 10.64 percent this September compared to 2003, with Wendover on the Utah border, showing an increase of 17.15 percent.
The figures are only from gambling operations at casinos, and do not reflect money that might come in from restaurants, entertainment, or gift shops. The state take of that total is $61.5 million, down slightly from September of last year. For the year, the state has collected about 4.3 percent more gaming tax than last year.
Of the $924.78 million win, $639.5 million came from slot machines while $276.7 million resulted from gambler losses at table games.
Strong Earnings Reported By Sierra Pacific Resources
Revenue Fell Slightly In Third Quarter Over $90 Million In Profits
Sierra Pacific Resources is the parent company of Nevada's two major utilities, Sierra Pacific Power Company (SPPCo) and Nevada Power Company. For the third quarter, the company is reporting $0.50 per share earnings, down from $0.60 one year ago on profits of $90.6 million.
The company reported third quarter revenue of $903.9 million off less than $1 million from September of 2003.
The state's consumer advocate said the results came because of rate increases not the consumption of more power. The company says the good news comes from record customer growth.
A recent federal court ruling has allowed Sierra Pacific Resources to not have to pay Enron some $355 million because of contracts that were halted by the Enron bankruptcy. During the energy crunch, some called it a crisis, two years ago, the company relied heavily on outside markets for the purchases of energy.
The Buzz Around The Silver State
As Compiled by our Correspondents
Elko, Eureka, Storey Counties
Gold Country News Is All Good And Not Just The Current Price
(Elko) --- Barrick Gold has announced the opening of a mine in Eureka County, the building of a power station in Storey County, and continued good news on their earnings in Nevada.
The Ruby Hill mine in Eureka County should be permitted within the next few months, and it would then begin a two-year construction period. There are almost 14 million proven tons of ore available, and about two and a half million reserves probable, according to mine officials.
Barrick is also continuing their plans to build a 115-megawatt power plant in Storey County. The plant will be natural gas fired and will be near an existing Sierra Pacific Power Plant at Tracy, along the Truckee River. Power from the plant will be used by Barrick operations at Carlin with any surplus power to be sold to Sierra Pacific. Barrick plans to have the plant in operation in about a year.
The company said their third quarter earnings were slightly less than last year, but indicated they would offer six cents a share. Last year's third quarter offering was seven cents.
White Pine County
It's A Nevada Tradition, Like "The Code of the West"
(Ely) --- The answer to those who question whether their vote really counts, was answered in White Pine County following the General Election, November 2. Ray Urrizaga and Bob Swetich were each looking to be a member of the County Board of Commissioners, and campaigned hard for the office. At the end of the count Tuesday night, each man had 1,847 votes.
An old Nevada tradition, and law, then came into play, and the two men sat down to draw cards, with high card winning. There are rules and regulations, but suffice it to say here, Ray Urrizaga is now a County Commissioner in White Pine County, and he can claim the office by way of a Queen of Clubs.
How many people thought that one man or the other was a winner and didn't bother to vote? Oh, dear.
Just In Time For Christmas: Shopping Returns To Ely
(Ely) --- Stock in the new community owned Garnet Mercantile in downtown Ely sold briskly, and now, just as the Christmas shopping season begins, the doors are open, and nine people are working. J.C. Penney Company pulled out of White Pine County and left a gaping hole in the shopping district of this eastern Nevada Community. The nearest general merchandise store was in Elko, almost 200 miles distant.
Stock was offered in the concept of a community owned store, offered at $500 per share, and over just a few months time, 880 shares were sold, more than enough to get the store opened. Shares in the co-op are still available, and will be until the end of the year. How's that for a probable Christmas present for some youngster. Among buyers of stock, Governor Kenny Guinn who then donated his two shares to White Pine High School's student council.
The new general merchandise store is about 8,000 square feet, and the front, or facade has been restored to a 1920s look by the Ely Renaissance Society.
Washoe County
"No Ice Skating In Reno" Says City "Scrooge" Council
(Reno) --- The City of Reno has come up with yet another way to anger its citizens, this time by eliminating what has become all but a winter tradition in downtown; an open air ice skating rink. The rink has even been considered one of the main attributes of what will be a public park at the site of the old Mapes Hotel, on the banks of the Truckee River.
For more than ten years, residents of northern Nevada have flocked by the thousands to the rink, at times even causing traffic problems in a downtown that had been forsaken by many of those same residents. A park will be built, and plans call for the rink to be a permanent part of that park. The city says putting up, then taking down the rink so many times has caused damage, and it would be too expensive to repair for this year.
The city waited until the last moment, literally, to make the announcement that there would be no skating this year. In the past, as soon as temperatures dipped, the rink was erected.
Schools, groups, and skating clubs used the rink as did countless residents, and according to previous reports by the city recreation people, the rink was economically viable.
The "Gift of Lights" Returns
(Reno) --- The City of Reno has signed an agreement with Winterland/Christmas Visions for the Gift of Lights display that will again be set up at Idlewild Park along the Truckee River. Last year, the Christmas season display featured more than two-million lights and according to city officials, almost 11,000 vehicles paid money to drive through the one-mile area.
There will be charges again this year to visit the display, and there should be opportunities to purchase hot beverages and other seasonal items.
Many of the displays, besides being lit, are also animated. The company has also had displays in Las Vegas in the past. It isn't known if they will again set up shop in the Southland.
Clark County
"It's Not Opening" Says Monorail Boss: Parts Simply Won't Stay Put
(Las Vegas) --- Once hailed as the next big step into the future for the Las Vegas Strip, the Monorail won't be running in the foreseeable future. After many mishaps, with parts falling off, doors opening during movement, and people coming very close to being seriously hurt, the system was shut down in order to find out why all this was happening.
The system, at a cost of about $650 million, is silent, only operating for a short time beginning this July. A company called Exponent has been hired by the system's builders, Bombardier Corp. to try and find out why parts keep falling off, why the system isn't safe to be around, maybe even why employees were allegedly guilty of breeches in safety.
Exponent has done investigative work for the federal government, including work for NASA.
Carson City
December 1 Is Deadline For Historic Preservation Grants
(Carson City) --- The application deadline for federal historic preservation grants administered by the State Historic Preservation Office is December 1, 2004. Grant funding is provided by the National Park Service as part of the Land and Water Conservation Fund and is used to support preservation efforts by governmental agencies and non-profit organizations.
Grants may be used to support building rehabilitation, historic preservation surveys, and projects that promote heritage tourism throughout the state. Restoration of Renos Lear Theater and the Las Vegas Post Office, as well as survey work in southern Nevada are examples of projects that have received funding through this program.
For additional information about historic preservation grants or to get an application, contact the State Historic Preservation Office at (775) 684-3448 or visit their website: http://www.NevadaCulture.org
The State Historic Preservation Office also administers grants from the Commission for Cultural Affairs, used to support the rehabilitation of historic structures for cultural centers.
Commission for Cultural Affairs grants help support over seventy facilities in Nevada, including Virginia Citys Historic Fourth Ward School, a recent recipient of the prestigious National Preservation Honor Award from the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and the Western Folklife Center in Elko, one of six museums to receive a national service award from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
Applications for Commission for Cultural Affairs grants were due in October and will be reviewed in March 2005 and awarded based on reauthorization of the program by the state legislature.
The Historic Preservation Office is an agency of the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs. The Commission for Cultural Affairs is the advisory board for the Nevada Department of Cultural Affairs. The Department serves Nevadas citizens and visitors through cultural and information management, presentation and promotion of cultural resources, and education. The Department also includes the Division of Museums and History, Nevada State Library and Archives, Nevada Arts Council, Comstock Historic District Commission, and Commission for Cultural Affairs. For more information on the Department of Cultural Affairs, please call Bob Harmon at (775) 687-8323 or visit the departments website at NevadaCulture.org.