The skinny on the health care reform bills in each chamber of Congress

Nov. 22, 2009

By Lisa Mascaro

What started as five health care bills — three in the House, two in the Senate — are now two. Here are some highlights of the House bill, which passed on Nov. 7, and the Senate bill, which was introduced for debate Saturday. The Senate bill faces many amendments during the upcoming weeks of debate.

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What might result from a national airing of Ensign’s dirty laundry

Nov. 22, 2009

By Jon Ralston

Mark down 8:35 p.m. PT Monday: That’s when the plug will be pulled on John Ensign’s grand delusion, the moment, as the Wachowski brothers might appreciate, that the Matrix is revealed and the grotesque reality becomes unavoidable.

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How the nation is faring according to the Brookings Institution

Nov. 22, 2009

Alan Berube, Karen Dynan and Ted Gayer of the Brookings Institution

The economy’s expansion last quarter, for the first time in more than a year, has prompted much speculation that the recession is over. This turning point, however, simply marks an end to the decline in activity. In this second “How We’re Doing” index, The Brookings Institution examines the forces that stand in the way of a strong rebound.

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John Ensign absent from Senate floor during health care debate

Nov. 21, 2009

By Lisa Mascaro

WASHINGTON -- As senators speak on the Senate floor today to discuss health care reform in a lively, rare Saturday session, one voice that has been absent is that of Republican Sen. John Ensign of Nevada.

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Reid clears major health care hurdle, daunting weeks ahead

Nov. 21, 2009

By Lisa Mascaro

WASHINGTON — With tonight's Senate vote to open debate on the Democrats’ health care reform bill, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid cleared a hurdle in the most profound test of his leadership skills but is about to face another.

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10,000 Nevadans daily to get pro-Harry Reid robo-call

Nov. 20, 2009

By Lisa Mascaro

WASHINGTON -- The progressive group that ran TV ads critical of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's leadership as it pushed him to include the public option in the health care bill now says it has the leader's back as he potentially comes under pressure to change the bill as the health debate begins in the Senate.‬‪

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$60 million to stabilize neighborhoods buys five homes

Nov. 20, 2009

By Timothy Pratt

The Sun recently found that the three local governments receiving most of the money sent to the valley to buy, fix and resell foreclosed houses had been able to close deals on only five houses to date even though the program is nearly halfway into its 18-month time frame.

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Auditors note problems in Recovery Act jobs numbers

Nov. 19, 2009

By Lisa Mascaro

WASHINGTON -- Government auditors have found significant problems in reporting the number of jobs created or saved by the Recovery Act, the Obama administration’s signature effort to improve the economy, according to a report released Thursday.

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Long-sought, Harry Reid's goal of health care reform a step closer

Nov. 19, 2009

By Lisa Mascaro

After weeks of crafting the Senate health care bill behind closed doors, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid finally unveiled it. The bill weighed in at $849 billion over 10 years, would cover 31 million uninsured and cut the federal budget deficit by $127 billion.

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Union leader says ‘card check’ is on Senate’s back burner

Nov. 19, 2009

By Michael Mishak

As unions continue to push for legislation that would make it easier for workers to organize, one of the labor movement’s most progressive leaders is sending a message to his colleagues: Don’t hold your breath.

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2,074-page health bill includes surgery, payroll tax hike

Nov. 18, 2009

By Lisa Mascaro

WASHINGTON -- Ready for a little light reading? The new Senate health care bill, the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, is now posted online at www.democrats.senate.gov.

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Petition seeks amendment requiring secret vote in union elections

Nov. 17, 2009

By Cy Ryan

CARSON CITY – An initiative petition has been filed to amend the Nevada Constitution to require employees to vote secretly when deciding whether to be represented by a union.

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Gibbons: Special session would target test scores law

Nov. 17, 2009

By Cy Ryan

CARSON CITY – Gov. Jim Gibbons said Tuesday that if he calls a special session of the Legislature he might ask lawmakers to repeal a law preventing Nevada from competing for up to $175 million in federal funds for public schools.

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Lawmakers look at past appropriations to learn for future

Nov. 17, 2009

By David McGrath Schwartz

The list of projects approved by the 2007 Legislature looks like a collection of receipts from a Christmas past, when mommy and daddy still had jobs and the house wasn’t in foreclosure.

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