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Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun
Senators James Settlemeyer, left, and Michael Roberson talk at the conclusion of a Senate floor session Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013 during the 2013 legislative session in Carson City.
By J. Patrick Coolican (contact) 
Tuesday, March 19, 2013 | 2 a.m.
J. Patrick Coolican
Sun coverage
- Taking mining tax out of the constitution could free up more revenue for urban Nevada (3-17-2013)
- Where are the Democrats in extracting more taxes from the mining industry? (3-08-2013)
- Water rate hike could lead to more scrutiny of agency’s spending (3-11-2012)
- Proposed water rate hike still gives some an almost-free lunch (2-28-2012)
- Addiction to growth has left water authority in financial straits (1-23-2012)
- More columns by J. Patrick Coolican
- More political stories
Here’s the question everyone here at the Legislature is asking: What’s Michael Roberson’s game?
The question arises because twice in the past two weeks the Republican Senate leader has taken on powerful interests. First, he sprang a surprise whenhe proposed eliminating the mining industry’s protected constitutional tax status and offering a mining tax alternative to the business margins tax that will likely go to the voters in 2014.
Then, he proposed legislation that would have the Public Utilities Commission oversee the Southern Nevada Water Authority instead of its current board of elected officials, who are seen as usually doing the bidding of the water authority. This was seen as a direct attack on the water authority’s powerful manager, Pat Mulroy, who has influential allies on the Las Vegas Strip.
So, first he takes on mining and its bevy of lobbyists without much of a heads up to his fellow Republicans and friends of mining in the Assembly, and then he challenges the water boss who is a friend of Big Gaming.
“Too many people in this building play it safe,” he told me.
Roberson said he thinks the mining policy is the right one, and it helps that a tax increase on mining has widespread support among voters in the south.
On water, his legislation is a response to the water authority’s rate hike last year, when small and medium-sized businesses (read: Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce) thought the game was rigged against them in favor of residential and big (meaning Strip) water customers.
“I wanted at the very least to start the discussion,” he said. He said the board’s elected officials are too often being spoon-fed data and analysis from the water authority and the utility commission would be better suited to regulate water. “Water is scarce. If rates will continue to go up, we need an open and fair process” for future rate increases and other important water policy issues, he said.
Here in the capital, not much is taken at face value, so no one believes that Roberson’s just doing what he thinks is best for his constituents, and/or that he’s trying to find common ground with Democrats because he wants to get things done and make sure Carson City doesn’t become like Washington, D.C. After all, last session he was a conservative bomb thrower.
I asked a bunch of experienced lobbyists, longtime observers of the process, and no one quite knows what he’s up to.
“I’m not sure I can gauge anything that he’s doing,” said one.
Another, who is one of the most hardened cynics of all — and I know a few — is baffled that Roberson is being so aggressive, grabbing headlines when everyone knows it’s the inside game that matters. And when it comes to the inside game, he’s angering a) his own party, b) Democrats who are embarrassed that he’s stealing their issue, mining, and c) Mulroy.
My best guess is that he wants to establish some populist, pragmatic bona fides to help Republicans begin the long process of broadening their base beyond white men in a state that looks increasingly diverse and Democratic.
Roberson told me he wanted to be “crystal clear that I won’t support cuts to education,” which is the kind of talk pleasing to all those parents who live in his suburban Henderson district. He’s up for re-election in 2014, but, of course, he says that’s not on his mind.
But there’s another aspect of electoral politics he may need to consider: a primary challenge.
“He wasn’t here when Ann O’Connell lost to Joe Heck,” a lobbyist noted to me dryly, referring to the conservative state senator who lost a Republican primary after she crossed the gaming industry.
“Could a Tea Partier run to the right of him?” the lobbyist asked. “I should think.”
This sounds to me like an unsubtle message that the senator may need to watch his back.
In reply to J. Patrick Coolican;
I have to say that on occasion, what you write and how you write it disturbs the living daylights out of me.
Finally, we have a Republican legislator, (Michael Roberson) with a lot of power who is doing what he should be doing for the best interests of the state of Nevada and the people whom he represents.
Wow!!! Could I possibly be getting ready to break my childhood vows to never ever in my lifetime cast a vote for a Republican?
Not so fast on that I tell myself. Michael Roberson still has a long way to go in having me reach a mammoth personal decision like this. But, he is certainly on the right track to have me do so.
So what do you do J. Patrick Coolican with your journalistic rights and powers? Instead of showering this politician with words of decency, support and encouragement, you resort to making it clear to Michael Roberson and your readers what consequences and punishment he shall face from his fellow Republicans and lobbyists. I am quite sure these "characters of corruption" are planning to stoke up the fires of political doom.
Your article, if it should have been written suitably could have done Mr. Roberson not only a great deal of good, but politicasl protection as well. Instead you abandoned Mr. Roberson, and politically speaking, have left him to hang. I say, shame on you J. Patrick Coolican. I'm sure Citizen's Magazine is feeling all warm and fuzzy over you.
J. Patrick Coolican;
I just can't comprehend why you have to be told this. But here goes;
Make clear in your articles what consequences the other Republicans and lobbyists shall face if they do not get on board with Senator Michael Roberson. Whether you truly believe this or not Mr. Coolican, here in this country, it is still, "We The People". You are supposed to be a part of this process, "Sir"!
Linking the Tea Party to mining or gaming ("Could a Tea Partier run to the right of him?" the lobbyist asked. "I should think.") is probably an incorrect assessment of the TP. The "establishment" GOP may be in bed with them, but the TP not so much. If anything, the GOP establishment & its lobbyists has more to worry about when it comes to the TP than Roberson!
Bradley,
JPC's message is very clear.
"Roberson's ideas compete with union interests (business tax & hotel-casino profits).
Do not support them".
Good job Michael Roberson! Thank you for representing your continents and not the lobbyists and special interests. I wish more politicians would do the right thing like you are doing. I question Pat Mulroy everyday...someone needs to watch over her.
(Sun Reporter) I am offended by your comments also. What I hear you say, is Hey Michael Roberson...if you go against the establishment, or do something that you have not gotten permission from by the majority of the (Special Interest and Paid) lobbyists, then we are going to oust you. I think you owe Senator Roberson an apology. You are clearly threatening him and I personally do not think a reporter should do that....isn't your job to report the news? When did you become a pimp gangsta threatening someone taking over the turf? Sounds like you are on the take and got an envelope to write this story. The question is by whom? Pay Mulroy? Mining? Or the Democrat running against Roberson in 2014? Many expereinced reporters would tell you your attempts backfired and helped Michael. The fact that he is pissing off Special Interest Lobbyists is a really good thing.
A badly written article again by J. Patrick Coolican - when will we ever learn and not pay this poor writer who is not worth the words he dribbles out without much thought.