Politics - Las Vegas Sun

Ex-ACORN official gets probation for voter registration plan: Nov. 23, 2009; By Cara McCoy; A former field director for the political advocacy organization ACORN was sentenced today in district court to up to three years of probation. “I take responsibility for what I did,” Edwards told the court. “I’m sorry, I truly am.”

Lobbyist knows local government from the inside: Nov. 23, 2009; By Joe Schoenmann; For more than a decade Terry Murphy has been one of the Las Vegas Valley’s go-to people whenever businesses or organizations need someone to deal with local governments for them.

Despite economy, swank of lawmaker’s fundraisers not in recession: Nov. 23, 2009; By David McGrath Schwartz; The tough economy hasn’t prevented at least one elected official from throwing elaborate fundraisers. Assembly Majority Leader John Oceguera has set a new bar for unconventional campaign events hosted by Nevada lawmakers.

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.

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.

Harry Reid’s hopes hitched to health care reform bill: Nov. 22, 2009; By Lisa Mascaro; You would have thought they were rock stars, not graying politicians, the way Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his top lieutenants were welcomed at a Senate reception the day after Reid’s health care bill was introduced.

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.

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.

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.

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.‬‪

$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.

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.

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.

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.

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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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 ...