Politics - Las Vegas Sun

PACs’ money must leave a trail: Opinion: Law requires transparency, even for charitable donations; Dec. 3, 2009; By David McGrath Schwartz; Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman has used his political action committee to give money to charities without publicly reporting on its activity. Now it will have to report contributions and expenditures and can't engage in nonpolitical activity.

NLV Council accepts city manager's resignation: Dec. 2, 2009; By Sun Staff; The North Las Vegas City Council voted on Wednesday to accept City Manager Gregory Rose’s resignation and approved a $337,040 severance package. The council approved the deal 4-1, with Mayor Shari Buck casting the dissenting vote.

Congress races to restore benefits subsidy for laid-off workers: Dec. 2, 2009; By Lisa Mascaro; WASHINGTON -- Buried amid the promises of new bridges, roads and recessionary aid in the Recovery Act passed this year by Congress was one tangible benefit for the unemployed: a subsidy to help pay health benefits for those who are laid off.

Democrats ready to push forward on health care: Dec. 2, 2009; By Lisa Mascaro; WASHINGTON — The Senate is known for its sluggish pace, but even three days without a vote on the many health care amendments stacking up is too much for Democrats who emerged this afternoon from a closed door meeting.

At breakfast focused on prayer, Goodman finds ways to amuse: Dec. 2, 2009; By Sam Skolnik; The Interfaith Council of Southern Nevada’s mayors prayer breakfast is billed as an occasion to celebrate diversity and unity and, of course, prayer. But for Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman, any public gathering — no matter how lofty or reverent the purpose — is a platform for his trademark shtick.

On the unintentional comedic stylings of John Ensign: Dec. 2, 2009; By Jon Ralston; John Ensign’s future in the United States Senate may be limited, but his future as a stand-up comedian is assured.

How the economy is failing students: Dec. 2, 2009; By J. Patrick Coolican, Emily Richmond; The Clark County School District has always struggled with its sky-high population of poor children. The number of homeless students is expected to reach 8,000 by the end of the academic year, a 30 percent increase. And a full 44 percent of the district’s students receive free or reduced-price lunches, a commonly used indicator of childhood poverty.

Shelley Berkley sports fiscally conservative streak: Dec. 2, 2009; By Lisa Mascaro; There was a time, when Rep. Shelley Berkley faced substantial challengers threatening to brand her as a tax-and-spend Democrat, too liberal for her Southern Nevada congressional district, which in those years included much of the surrounding region.

Harry Reid on mortgages: 'Bank of America must do more': Dec. 1, 2009; By Lisa Mascaro; WASHINGTON -- Harry Reid pointedly criticized Bank of America today for not doing enough to help Nevada homeowners during the mortgage crisis, warning that the company must bring more resources to the state or face public scrutiny.

Soon, bill may follow run in a county ambulance: Dec. 1, 2009; By Joe Schoenmann; Clark County is gearing up to charge patients taken to hospitals in Clark County Fire Department ambulances. Until this year, state law prevented the county from collecting anything from the approximately 350 people who took those rides.

Governor OKs emergency regulation on drivers licenses: Nov. 30, 2009; By Cy Ryan; CARSON CITY – Gov. Jim Gibbons has approved a 120-day emergency regulation to comply with a federal law requiring states make progress toward implementing stricter identification requirements.

Health care debate off to rocky start in Senate: Nov. 30, 2009; By Lisa Mascaro; WASHINGTON -- Well, this does not look good. The Senate opened the health care debate this afternoon with a caustic exchange that shows what a long, hard slog these next few weeks might be.

John Ensign: Resignation would hurt GOP, shift focus from ousting Harry Reid: Nov. 30, 2009; By Lisa Mascaro; WASHINGTON – Republican Sen. John Ensign gives his first, full-length interview this morning since disclosing an affair last summer, and says he is getting Republican requests to campaign in 2010, has no plans to resign and cannot understand the health care bill.

Expert: Environmental deal in Copenhagen unlikely: Nov. 30, 2009; By Stephanie Tavares; A week from today, dignitaries from across the globe are to meet in Denmark to try to hash out an agreement on reducing carbon emissions and curbing deforestation.

Civil law self-help center opening at Regional Justice Center: Nov. 30, 2009; By Jeff German; In a period of economic misfortune, the opening next month of a civil law self-help center at the county courthouse is perfect timing.

What Nevada's leaders are thankful for: Nov. 29, 2009; By Jon Ralston; So what were Nevada’s prominent pols giving thanks for Thursday? Here are educated guesses about what they (and a few others) were thinking in their tryptophan-induced hazes.

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Inauguration 2009: See stories, videos, photos and blogs about the inauguration of President Barack Obama on Jan. 20, 2009.
General Election 2008: See stories, blogs, slideshows, videos, an interactive map and results from the Nov. 4, 2008, general election.
2008 Election Guide:: Get information on the candidates, the issues and about voting in the Nov. 4 election.
Winning the West:: On the way to the conventions, the Sun has gone on the road to listen to voters and political leaders around the West.
2008 August Primary:: Apathy, sad to say, ruled the day. On Tuesday only about one of every seven registered voters in Clark County bothered to cast a ballot in the primary election.

Meeting of GOP governors draws challengers, not Gibbons: WASHINGTON -- One notable absence from last week's Republican Governors' Association meeting was that of Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons.

Oscar Goodman sounds like a man not running for governor: Mayor Oscar Goodman, strong in the polls and winding down his final term, is speaking wistfully of spending more time with his family.

Sen. John Ensign affair to resurface on 'Nightline': WASHINGTON -- Greetings, Early Liners. The ongoing story of Republican Sen. John Ensign’s affair with the wife of a former top aide resurfaces anew tonight ...