Tobacco

The New Year has begun, and quite surprisingly the past year has gone by extremely fast. Unsurprisingly, rarely did anything surprise me during my first year as a Supervisor. Granted there are moments when one believes he/she is making the right and prudent decision, but I did learn that regardless of how one votes, there will always be consequences.

What is most popular in the public opinion could and often does influence and create pressure for city staff to revitalize their position on the issues of the day, and then they may or may not make an agenda item for that subject matter.

Nevada Sen. Harry Reid met last week with Nevada youth in the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. Nevada’s youth advocates were Spencer Flanders of Carson City, Breanna Taylor of Minden, Catia Villanueva and Michelle Tostes of Las Vegas.

The Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids is a nonprofit organization created in 1996 with the goal of reducing tobacco use.

CARSON CITY — Nevada's program to provide college scholarships to deserving students will continue through 2018, with a $15 million cash infusion to the Gov. Guinn Millennium Scholarship program, State Treasurer Kate Marshall announced this week.

Beginning in October of this year, Nevada counties will have the option to adopt ordinances that would impose fines on individuals under the age of 18 for the possession or use of tobacco products. Senate Bill 177 was introduced by Senator James Settelmeyer of Minden.

Statewide taxable sales in Nevada for March increased by 5 percent over March 2012 and a 5.4 percent increase for the fiscal year, the state's Department of Taxation reports Tuesday. In Carson City, taxable sales increased by 10.9 percent, largely due to the Nevada Legislative session.

It’s great to have that income tax return filed! Maybe you can relax and take a deep breath now. But, what if IRS has questions or selects your return for audit?

The deduction for Office in the Home for the part of your home that is regular and exclusive business use is NOT an invitation to IRS to audit your return. There is even a “safe harbor” that can be used. IRS understands how important that home office is to many taxpayers-usually the sole owner business.

If it’s against the law for Nevada youth to buy cigarettes, it should also be a crime for them to use it, a state senator said Thursday in presenting a bill to make it illegal for anyone under 18 to use tobacco.

Nevada and 16 other states have reached an agreement with the nation's largest tobacco companies to resolve 10 years of disputes regarding terms in a 1998 settlement. The agreement provides Nevada with about $21 million in 2013.

CARSON CITY – The Nevada Legislature’s Interim Finance Committee today approved 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 – When state Sen. Greg Brower asked the Attorney General’s office earlier this month about the $6 million in outside legal costs incurred so far in defending the state in a freeway construction dispute, he said his motives were purely fiscal in nature.

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.

Twenty percent of adults in Nevada said they smoke, but of those, 40 percent say they have considered quitting or would like to take action to quit smoking. The New Year brings a chance to act on the desire to quit. Why not make your health a priority this year and resolve to quit smoking?

For the first time in 10 years, states cut taxes more than they increased them, according to a preliminary report released last week by the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL).
But voters should not draw hasty conclusions about what this means for states’ fiscal health. Most states continued to face substantial budget shortfalls during their 2011 legislative sessions, even though some states saw revenue collections increase.

Thanks to a letter written by a concerned citizen, Nevada owners of a concealed weapons (CCW) permit may soon be able to purchase more firearms without further background checks and the associated $25 fee.

CARSON CITY – State officials and lawmakers are rejecting the suggestion that they acted improperly last year when fees generated from several college savings programs were shifted to shore up the cash-strapped Gov. Guinn Millennium Scholarship for academically eligible Nevada high school graduates.
But one former lawmaker, who voted for the transfer, acknowledges he remains concerned about the decision.

Information and education on topics including diabetes, tobacco cessation, mammograms and nutrition will all be made available to the public during the Nevada State Health Division's free health fa...

CARSON CITY – On deadline day for Gov. Brian Sandoval to act on the remaining bills from the 2011 legislative session, measures extending existing taxes for two more years, authorizing the creation of a toll road around Boulder City and banning the use of hand-held cell phones while driving were all approved.

CARSON CITY – A bill appropriating $10 million from the general fund to ensure the long-term financial health of the Gov. Kenny Guinn Millennium Scholarship saw final legislative approval today and will go to Gov. Brian Sandoval for his review.
Senate Bill 486 saw unanimous support in the Assembly. It earlier passed the Senate on a 20-1 vote with Sen. Don Gustavson, R-Sparks, voting no.

CARSON CITY – A controversial bill that would let stand-alone bars and taverns that allow smoking by their adult-only customers to also serve food won approval in the Assembly today and now heads to the Senate with only one day remaining in the session.

Dayton’s first Healthy Communities Coalition 5K Walk/Run on May 14 attracted 50 contestants, plus 20 volunteers from Stand Tall and Dayton Task Force. The 5K fundraiser for Stand Tall’s youth leadership teams and Dayton Resource Bank resulted in $811 for the two local youth programs.

The event was a fun way for the community to exercise and to join together for two good causes. Organizers Lavurne Jeffreys and Star Erickson said they look forward to making this an annual event.

Dayton High School’s Culinary Arts class, one of Lyon County School District’s many Career and Education classes, prepared and served an elegant luncheon for Governor Brian Sandoval and area officials and community leaders Wednesday.

Thanking the students, Governor Sandoval said, “I had an opportunity last week to have lunch with former President George W. Bush at the Bellagio in Vegas. This lunch is every bit as good as what is offered at the Bellagio. This was very professional; the service was impeccable. You should be proud. You all have bright futures ahead of you.”

Dayton will be the place for family-friendly fun this weekend with something for everyone: a morning run in Dayton’s beautiful “outback”, a huge pasta festival, hands-on learning at the River Festival, free immunizations and historical tours.

By Mike Wolterbeek
RENO, Nev. — An impact study by researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno has found that the Nevada Clean Indoor Air Act is not only good public policy but also good for the economy.

Statewide taxable sales for February increased 4.3 percent over last year and represents a 5 percent increase for eight consecutive months, the state's Department of Taxation reports today. Carson City saw a 10.4 percent increase over last year, likely because of the State Legislature session.

The Healthy Communities Coalition of Lyon and Storey hosts special speakers during public meetings held on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 9am at the Silver Springs Community Center at 2945 Ft. Churchill Road. Each meeting also includes resource sharing, updates and discussion on issues of regional importance such as health and wellness, substance abuse prevention and recovery, education, workforce development, etc. On May 12, the featured speakers will be from the Tobacco Cessation Helpline.

The Dayton Task Force has organized its annual, free community health fair for Saturday, May 14 from 9:30am-3pm at Community Roots nursery on Highway 50.

The fair will feature free immunizations for both children and adults, free blood pressure checks, and interactive booths offering education on diabetes, tobacco use cessation and prevention, gang prevention and awareness. The fair will also offer information on many other community groups, such as Dayton Task Force and Dayton Food Pantry, as well as health services in the Dayton region.

Free TDaP:

DAYTON, Nev. — Put on your running shoes and join us for a beautiful morning run in Dayton's "outback" on May 14, starting at 8:30am at the Como Park near Dayton Elementary School. Stand Tall and the Dayton Task Force are co-sponsoring a Healthy Communities Coalition 5K Walk/Run to benefit local students through the Dayton Resource Bank and Stand Tall youth leadership teams.

How Do I Register and What Else Can I Do In Dayton on May 14?

CARSON CITY — A bill that would partially ban smoking on college campuses passed out of the Assembly Judiciary Committee today.
Assemblyman Paul Aizley, D-Las Vegas, amended Assembly Bill 128 to require colleges and universities to establish campus smoking zones outside of which a person would not be able to smoke.
Under the amendment, the smoking zones would have to be a reasonable distance away from walking paths and doorways.

By Sean Whaley / Nevada News Bureau
CARSON CITY – Advocates for a tax hike on cigarettes and liquor made their case in the Nevada Legislature today, both to raise revenue and improve public health.
The proposal received a mixed reaction from lawmakers, and some lobbyist opposition, however, because of the negative consequences on business.

CARSON CITY – Advocates for a tax hike on cigarettes and liquor made their case in the Nevada Legislature today, both to raise revenue and improve public health.
The proposal received a mixed reaction from lawmakers, and some lobbyist opposition, however, because of the negative consequences on business.