Political notebook: Legislature takes time for patriotism

Erin Neff

Friday, Jan. 31, 2003 | 9:29 a.m.

Thank goodness not all lawmakers in Carson City are focused on taxes.

After all, we might be headed to war with Iraq in a few weeks. So it's a good thing Assemblywoman Vonne Chowning, D-North Las Vegas, is hoping to add a special license plate with the words "United We Stand."

"The colors red, white and blue must be displayed on the license plates," Chowning's bill reads.

Try voting against that one.

Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, is also waving the colors with a bill that would permit residents to fly Old Glory regardless of local ordinances or homeowner association regulations.

Then there was the flag display by Assemblywoman Dawn Gibbons, R-Reno, during Gov. Kenny Guinn's State of the State address. Gibbons, whose husband is Rep. Jim Gibbons, handed out pins depicting both the American and Nevada state flags.

News from a neighbor

Nye County Republicans have joined those in Clark and Douglas counties in condemning Gov. Kenny Guinn's call for more than $1 billion in new taxes.

But consider the alternative Oregonians chose Tuesday.

Voters rejected a proposed 5 percent increase in the state income tax over the next three years by eight points. The measure was designed to stave off $310 million in new spending cuts after lawmakers have already cut $700 million.

So on Wednesday as the state began its emergency cuts, 114 inmates walked free. They were jailed on charges ranging from assault to sex abuse.

Statewide machine

Think Rep. Jim Gibbons isn't going to run against Democrat Harry Reid for the Senate next year?

The Republican has almost as many satellites as NASA.

Gibbons has official district offices in Elko, Reno and Las Vegas. But he recently opened a satellite office in a senior center in Pahrump and next week he will open another in Mesquite.

The Mesquite office will be open every first Thursday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m. at Mesquite City Hall.

While the satellite offices have limited hours, Gibbons is working 24-7 to plan his bid against Reid.

On Tuesday, Gibbons offered post-State of the Union comments via satellite feed to all Nevada television stations.

Fascist alert

Now that the Super Bowl is behind us and March Madness is still more than a month away, we will set a line on the Feb. 13 state Ethics Commission meeting for those looking for some action.

The commission is a prohibitive favorite to win over Independent American Party candidate Christopher Hansen in a dispute over a $6,175 fine levied against Hansen for failing to file the proper paperwork during his bid for secretary of state last year.

But the over/under on Hansen's use of the word "fascist" in the sure-to-be fun proceeding is going to be set at a lofty eight. Before you take the over, consider this wrinkle: Hansen has been known to sit in silence for several minutes when asked to speak.

For the record

On the first day that candidates could file for the upcoming election, Las Vegas Firefighters Local 1285 endorsed Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman's bid for re-election.