Bonnie Parnell

As we celebrate Women’s History Month, we want to acknowledge local women who have blazed the trail for today’s women continuing to make a difference in a world once dominated by men. It wasn’t so very long ago men dominated the highest non-elected positions in Carson City government.

More than 125 students were awarded over $150,000 across 90 different scholarships at the Western Nevada College Foundation 16th Annual Scholarship Appreciation and Recognition reception in Carson City. Student award recipients and their families and scholarship donors filled the Carson Nugget ballroom Friday, Oct. 16.

"You see, in our two-party system, the Democrats are the party of no ideas and the Republicans are the party of bad ideas. It usually goes something like this. A Republican will stand up in Congress and say, "I've got a really bad idea." And a Democrat will immediately jump to his feet and declare, "And I can make it sh---ier." — comedian Lewis Black

I'm not sure I've seen a better close-up example of a campaign attack backfiring than I did last night in the Assembly District 40 race.

Robin Williamson seemed to be doing everything right to fill the seat held by fellow Democrat Bonnie Parnell. She was working very hard, walking the neighborhoods, working with both Democrats and Republicans to gather the coalition she needed to win in this GOP-leaning district.

And then the Nevada Democratic Party stepped in and screwed it up.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – There will be no supermajorities for Democrats in either the state Senate or Assembly in the 2011 session, meaning the parties will have to work together and with Republican Gov.-elect Brian Sandoval on issues from taxes to redistricting.
Republicans in the 42-member state Assembly, who had been outnumbered 28-14, retained their seats and picked up two held by Democrats, enough to take away a veto-proof majority held by Democrats in the 2009 session.

Carson City Republican Pete Livermore has won the Nevada Assembly District 40 race against Democrat Robin Williamson, costing the party a crucial seat against Republican Governor-elect Brian Sandoval.

Livermore received 51.42 percent of the vote in Carson City and within a sliver of Washoe Valley. Williamson had 48.58 percent of the vote.

"I'm humbled and grateful that so many have shown trust for me," Livermore said. "I'm eager to get started so we can get people back to work."

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – The neighborhoods of this capital city and the Washoe Valley just to the north are ground zero for one of the most fiercely contested state legislative races in Nevada this year.
Potentially at stake is the makeup of the 42-member Assembly and whether Democrats can sustain their dominance of the lower house with a 28-member, veto-proof majority.

CARSON CITY – Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, today criticized a fund-raising “pay to play� letter sent out recently by Majority Leader Steven Horsford, saying it borders on an ethics violation.
“I have always avoided that kind of a fundraiser,� he said. “I think it is inappropriate. The perception is that to have access to a leader or chairman you have to pay. I think that sends a terrible message.�

By Andrew Barbano
Longtime Nevada labor leader Danny Coyle died of cancer in Carson City early Saturday morning, July 17. He was 74 years old.
At the time of his death, he was president of the retiree chapter of American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 4041/AFL-CIO, an organization he founded. He was concurrently legislative vice-chair of the Nevada Alliance for Retired Americans. He had also served as president of AFSCME Local 4041/AFL-CIO.

CARSON CITY – Thanks to term limits and decisions by some lawmakers not to seek re-election, at least 16 members of the Nevada Legislature will not be returning in 2011, and the number could end up being even higher after Election Day in November.
Sixteen lawmakers are termed out of office in the 2010 election cycle, but three so far have filed for different legislative offices and could return to the Legislature for the 2011 session.

Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell talks about the just-finished special
session of the Nevada Legislature, and the struggle to balance the
state's budget.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RaK0Ax7ePZ0

CARSON CITY – The Independent American Party (IAP) this week released its list of candidates for 38 different offices, including the seat now held by U.S. Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and all three congressional seats. There are candidates for state and local offices as well.

Northern Nevada Development Authority is pleased to announce the founding members of the Regional Workforce & Education Advisory Committee.

(Click image to play video)
Robin Williamson was rumored to be going after either the Senate seat being vacated by termed-out Sen. Mark Amodei, or a seat in the Assembly. When Assm.

Ward 1 Carson City Supervisor Robin Williamson today announced her intent to file for the seat being vacated by outgoing Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell, D-40.

(Click image to play video)
Assemblywoman Bonnie Parnell announces that after her term ends next November, she’s done.

Wednesday afternoon update: