Key components of the Democratic legislative agenda

Friday, May 20, 2005 | 6:37 a.m.

WEEKEND EDITION

May 21 - 22, 2005

Key components of the Democratic legislative agenda:

Would raise the minimum wage from $5.15 an hour to $6.15 an hour and increase the minimum wage yearly based on the Consumer Price Index.

Passed the Assembly. Senate Commerce and Labor took out the link to the CPI and proposed a one-time increase of $1.25. Democratic leaders oppose the change.

Cost: No cost to the state, but impacts businesses.

Infuses money into the mental health care network in Clark County, including funds for new in-patient and out-patient beds, a triage center to keep mental health patients out of the emergency room and the mental health court.

It is still before the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

Cost: $17.8 million for the biennium.

Would create a state-run Web site to allow Nevadans to buy drugs online from state-approved Canadian pharmacies.

Passed the Assembly, minor amendment in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. Gov. Kenny Guinn has threatened a veto, however, saying he is concerned the bill would violate federal law.

Cost: Minimal cost to state to inspect Canadian pharmacies. The State Board of Pharmacy already inspects out-of-state pharmacies.

Would provide full-day kindergarten to all children in the state.

It is still before the Assembly Ways and Means Committee.

Cost: $72 million for the biennium.

Creates a revolving account within the Rainy Day Fund to help homeowners with emergencies stemming from problems such as flooding, fires and extreme snowfall.

The Assembly Ways and Means Committee passed it, and it is waiting for a vote on the Assembly floor.

Cost: None.

Creates a one-time holiday from most of the state's sales taxes from Aug. 26 through Aug. 28.

Bill was voted down in the Senate Finance Committee on Tuesday.

Cost: None to state, undetermined amount to local governments.

This started as a slate of bills designed to hold hospitals accountable for what they charge and would require hospitals to reinvest a percentage of their profits into the community.

The amended Assembly Bill 342 is a compromise that requires hospitals to disclose more about their operations, in an effort to determine why Nevada has some of the highest hospital costs in the country.

Cost: Less than $20,000 to adjust state software and track the information.

Bans public officers from having employees work on their campaigns during public time. Provides for penalties against officials who repeatedly break the Open Meeting Law.

Died in the Senate Legislative Operations and Elections Committee on Thursday.

Cost: None to state; limited fiscal impact to local governments.

Would amend Nevada Constitution so public officials who commit three ethical violations or more would be automatically thrown from office.

Died in the Senate Legislative Operations and Elections Committee on Thursday.

Cost: None.