Assembly

CARSON CITY – They have names like “A Better Nevada PAC”, “A Bolder Nevada” and “The Nevada Hispanic Legislative Caucus”.

They are all political action committees formed or renewed by state lawmakers this year to help promote their parties, push their candidates and protect their ranks in an effort to maintain and/or win control of the Assembly and Senate.

CARSON CITY – Assembly Speaker and 3^rd Congressional District candidate John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas, declined today to say whether he supports the federal health care law now under review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

Oceguera, who is termed out of office in the Assembly, said it is premature to comment on the law given the fact that it is awaiting a decision on its constitutionality by the nation’s high court.

CARSON CITY – Establishing school choice for parents and ending social promotion for students are two top priorities in Gov. Brian Sandoval’s education reform agenda for the 2013 legislative session, an administration official said today.

Linking pay to performance and providing professional development to ensure students have the best possible classroom teachers is a third major priority, said Dale Erquiaga, senior adviser to Sandoval.

RENO, Nev. — GPS technology developed and implemented at the University of Nevada, Reno will be the centerpiece of a major test this year by NASA to pinpoint the location and magnitude of strong earthquakes along the West Coast of the United States. The project was announced by NASA today.

CARSON CITY – A little-known benefit of Nevada’s public employee pension plan is the right to purchase up to five years of service towards retirement.

Referred to by some as “air time,” or the ability to add years of retirement without actually putting in the time in a public sector job, the benefit can allow state and local government workers to retire early, collecting annual pensions years before they would be eligible otherwise.

CARSON CITY – The Legislative Commission has scheduled a meeting Thursday to consider the question of whether Laughlin residents should get the chance to vote on incorporating their community.

A number of Laughlin residents have asked the commission to support allowing a vote to go forward on the question in June.

There were a few surprise candidates who threw their hats into the ring for this year's elections on the last day of filing.

(Update: Change in the candidates for school board, below)

Stacie Wilke-McCulloch, who currently serves on the Carson City School Board, filed to run for Carson City Board of Supervisors Ward 2. She joins three other candidates looking to succeed current Supervisor Shelly Aldean, who decided not to run again. Brad Bonkowski, Dennis Johnson and Maurice White are the other candidates.

CARSON CITY – After months of prognostications and political maneuvering, Nevada’s 2012 election season crystallized today as the state’s two-week filing period for public office came to a close.

Next up: A June 12 primary followed by the Nov. 6 general election, which will see a lengthy ballot topped by the presidential race, a competitive U.S. Senate race and four congressional contests.

Also at stake is control of the state Legislature, particularly the state Senate, where Democrats have a razor thin 11-10 majority.

CARSON CITY – Nevada state Sen. John Lee, D-North Las Vegas, has added his voice to the chorus asking the Legislative Commission to take up the issue of whether the residents of Laughlin should have a chance to vote on incorporation.

In his letter sent to the Legislative Commission this week, Lee also said he supports the right of Laughlin residents to vote on the question in June.

CARSON CITY – A regulation requiring thousands of home-based businesses to pay a $200 annual fee won approval today from a legislative panel.

Secretary of State Ross Miller has been trying to get the regulation approved for several months, but has seen the regulation stymied by strong opposition from some Nevada residents and Republican lawmakers who argued the regulation exceeded his authority.

CARSON CITY – Three Republican state senators, all members of the Legislative Commission, have asked Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, to call a meeting of the panel as soon as possible to vote on the feasibility of the incorporation of Laughlin.

CARSON CITY – Here is a selection of comments made by Nevada public officials today following the announcement of the death of former state Sen. Bill Raggio:

U.S. Sen. Dean Heller: “I am deeply saddened by the death of Bill Raggio. There are no words to describe his dedication to the state of Nevada and I wish to express my deepest condolences and prayers for his wife Dale, and his family. Bill was a true statesman who dedicated his life to making Nevada a better place to live. His legacy will be remembered for generations to come.”

CARSON CITY – For years the Nevada state Senate was a pretty stable place, with many lawmakers serving for decades.

From one election cycle to the next, the names and faces in the 21-member body didn’t change very often.

That reality was altered in a big way when term limits finally began to have an impact on the state Legislature starting in 2010.

CARSON CITY – The state of Nevada’s tough financial situation is holding up two separate interim studies approved by the Legislature because of the requirement for alternative funding sources to assist in conducting the reviews.

Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto announced today that the Ninth Circuit United States Court of Appeals issued an opinion today in ACLU v. Masto, granting the state’s request to overturn an injunction against enforcement of Nevada’s Adam Walsh Act.

Pete Livermore has announced he will be running for a second term representing Assembly District 40, which encompasses most of Carson City.

Livermore served on the Carson City Board of Supervisors until he was elected to the Assembly in 2010, edging out fellow supervisor Robin Williamson.

The following is the text of a press release sent out by Livermore today:

CARSON CITY – Reno Republican Assemblyman Pat Hickey was unanimously elected today to be the new GOP Assembly Caucus Leader.

The former minority Leader, Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka, stepped down because of his intention to run for the Nevada State Senate in District 19.

Assembly Republicans currently hold 16 seats in the 42-member Assembly, while Democrats control 26 seats.

Hickey, who represents District 25 in Reno, returned to the Assembly in 2010 after an absence of several years.

CARSON CITY – Nevada voters can now be better informed than ever before with the Wednesday launch of Aurora, a user-friendly, searchable database for all campaign and public officer finance disclosures, Secretary of State Ross Miller said today.

Aurora, which can be accessed directly through the Secretary of State’s homepage, will provide a new level of insight into who is funding campaigns, and how those funds are being spent, he said.

CARSON CITY – A state panel today supported a request from the Department of Taxation for $260,000 to hire a team of auditors to track cigarette sales to protect a $40 million a year payment to Nevada from the nation’s major tobacco companies.

CARSON CITY – Republican state Senator Michael Roberson said today he expects the GOP to retake control of the Senate in the 2012 general election, citing the quality of candidates recruited for two key Clark County races.

His optimism was countered by Sen. Mo Denis, D-Las Vegas, who said he is confident Democrats will maintain control of the Senate come Nov. 7.

CARSON CITY – Starting with the annual campaign contribution and expense reports due Jan. 17, elected officials and candidates must now file their information electronically with the Secretary of State’s office.

State lawmakers say they have not heard of any major concerns with the new requirements from their colleagues.

Reading the newspaper this morning is like deja vu. First, there is the story about Carson City being recognized as a top ranked digital city, which we published last month. Then there is the report about the Gardnerville man who was shot by a Douglas County Sheriff's deputy next to his own grave site, an apparent act of "suicide by cop." There's also the story about the fundraiser at J's Bistro to benefit the Dayton Food Pantry that we had yesterday. It reminds me of that line from the movie "All The President's Men" where they talked about a new feature for the paper, yesterday's weather forecast, "for those who got drunk and slept all day."

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In politics, Judge Todd Russell finalized the state's redistricting case, refusing to add language allowing current office holders from using the words “incumbent” or “re-elect” in their campaigns if their districts had changed. None of the parties in the case objected to the new political boundaries, which closes this chapter of political wrangling.

Secretary of State Ross Miller filed a suit to force conservative advocacy group Citizen Outreach to register with the state and file contribution and expense reports. Miller cited that the group ran ads targeting Assembly Speaker John Oceguera during the 2010 election, which means the group must comply with laws governing political activities.

Although Citizen Outreach has not responded to the suit, its president Chuck Muth has a column today attacking Assembly Minority Leader Pete Goicoechea for not being conservative enough. Goicoechea, a Republican from Eureka, announced that he will run for state senate.

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In other news from behind the wall, Lisa Hoeppner will represent Carson City in the upcoming Mrs. Nevada-America Pageant in Las Vegas, Local's BBQ has closed its doors, and there is a club for table tennis fans in town.

Have a great Friday!

Sheriff Kenny Furlong was in Reno Wednesday morning taping an interview for "The Last Wild Place," a locally-produced radio show hosted by country singer Lacy J. Dalton. Furlong talked about some of the Carson City Sheriff's Department fixtures, including it's large and passionate volunteer force, and discussed holiday safety tips.

Also interviewed were two members of Occupy Carson City and a Stagecoach resident running for Nevada State Assembly.

Those interested can listen to the pre-recorded show Sunday morning at 10 a.m. on KCMY My Country, 1300 AM, 93.5 FM or 102.5 FM.

Veterans In Politics International, Inc. presents the Veterans Valentines Ball and Gala, hosted by the Plaza Hotel and Casino, 1 South Main Street, Las Vegas, Nevada 89101
Guests will be received by: Crowned members of the Miss Nevada Organization including Miss Nevada 2011 Alana LeeMrs. Clark County United States 2012 Melissa Jeanne Arias
— Opening Ceremonies to be performed by Nellis Honor Guard
— National Anthem will be performed by Miss Vanessa Bayot
— Masters of Ceremonies are Miss Rowena Richards of Shine Foundation, and Mr. Les Krifaton of Fox 5

Tonight if you see your state senator and a lobbyist dining on Châteaubriand and drinking red wine in a fine Las Vegas restaurant, it's a safe bet they aren't going Dutch treat. The lobbyist will pick up the tab and no one ever will know he did.

With much fanfare in April, legislative leaders called for approval of a plan to make government more transparent to Nevadans. A few weeks later, the Senate unanimously passed a bill to require lobbyists to report their year-round expenditures on legislators.

Not much behind the paywall this morning that we haven't already covered:

• There will be a ceremony to honor veterans at 9 a.m. today at Carson Middle School.
• Secretary of State Ross Miller is asking the Attorney General to pursue former Assemblyman Wendell Williams for the $9,500 he owes the state for campaign law violations. Williams, who served 18 years in the Nevada State Assembly, failed to file campaign contribution and expense reports in 2002.
• Learn how to make pine nut biscotti.

Carson City, NV - Occupy Carson City, an extension of the Occupy Wall St. movement, will hold their weekly peaceful assembly on Saturday from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Legislature Sidewalks at 401 S. Carson Street in Downtown Carson City. Everyone is welcome to participate, and the group has been in close communication with law enforcement to avoid any problems.

Former district judge and Assemblyman Robert Schouweiler died Oct. 21 after a short illness. He was 84.Schouweiler served two terms in the Nevada Assembly, representing Reno and Sparks, before bein...

Former district judge and Assemblyman Robert Schouweiler died Oct. 21 after a short illness. He was 84.Schouweiler served two terms in the Nevada Assembly, representing Reno and Sparks, before bein...

Assembly Judiciary Committee Chairman William Horne, D-Clark County, is threatening to screw around with Nevada's gun laws in response to the Carson City IHOP shooting in which four people, includi...