Nevada Territory - Las Vegas Sun News

Oceguera: Sunsetting taxes the 'best we're going to do': Thursday, May 26, 2011; By David McGrath Schwartz; After reports that Gov. Brian Sandoval will support extending sunsetting taxes, Assembly Speaker John Oceguera said it's the best they can do.

Taxis want to cement $3 credit card fee for fares: Tuesday, May 24, 2011; Transportation:; By David McGrath Schwartz; Las Vegas taxis have for the past year been tacking a $3 charge onto fares paid with credit or debit cards. Now the industry wants to cement that charge into state law. The Nevada Taxicab Authority, which regulates the industry, set the $3 transaction fee based on the cost of installing credit- and debit-card readers in cabs plus a reasonable profit. Assembly Bill 351 would establish in law the authority’s ability to tack on the fee to fares.

Power bills rising to pay for energy efficiency programs: Monday, May 23, 2011; By David McGrath Schwartz; Southern Nevadans will pay about 3.4 percent, or $5.29 a month, more on the average residential home bill to fund energy efficiency programs and the lost sales to NV Energy related to those efforts.

Governor tries to win over 'Sandoville' critics with doughnuts, calm responses: Wednesday, May 18, 2011; By David McGrath Schwartz; Gov. Brian Sandoval brought doughnuts and coffee to his critics in “Sandoville” this morning, demonstrating how formidable he is in advocating for his budget.

Democrats propose smaller pay cut for state, higher education employees: Tuesday, May 10, 2011; By David McGrath Schwartz; Democratic lawmakers today countered Gov. Brian Sandoval's proposed 5 percent pay cut for state and higher education workers with what would amount to a 4.8 percent reduction in pay, using furlough days and a 2.5 percent cut to salaries.

Tip for local government officials: Don't poke the lawmaking bears: Friday, April 29, 2011; By David McGrath Schwartz; Some quick rules to follow if you don’t want to get screwed by the Legislature:

Lawmakers ask Eureka to step up; wonder where Clark money went: Thursday, April 28, 2011; Politics:; By David McGrath Schwartz; In a quest for money, lawmakers scrutinized local governments in a hearing Thursday, asking flush Eureka County to help the state and wondering where Clark County had allocated $1.5 billion from 2009 to 2010.

Sandoval bill would put teachers on one-year contracts, change layoff system: Saturday, April 16, 2011; By David McGrath Schwartz; An assembly committee heard Gov. Brian Sandoval’s broad education reform bill Saturday that would put all teachers on one-year contracts and require school districts to decide layoffs on a system other than seniority.

Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce: 'Additional tax revenue may be necessary': Friday, April 15, 2011; By David McGrath Schwartz; The Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce sent a letter that says the business group could support more revenue for the state if paired with long-term government reforms.

Bill would cap collection fees when HOA bills are past due: Friday, April 15, 2011; By David McGrath Schwartz; Collection agencies could charge up to $1,950 plus “reasonable attorney fees” on a house that’s late on its homeowner association assessment under a bill passed out of committee Friday by Senate Democrats.

Education reform bills split Democrats, pass Assembly: Monday, April 11, 2011; By David McGrath Schwartz; Assembly Democrats split over a pair of education bills that would make it easier to fire teachers and extend the probationary period for new hires, which advanced despite opposition from the state teacher's union.

State re-projects Medicaid cases; Sandoval plans to soften cuts: Thursday, April 7, 2011; By David McGrath Schwartz; The state will be able to soften cuts to health and human services because of new projections made for Medicaid over the next two years, the state Department of Health and Human Services said today.

Democratic infighting unfolds over state gun bill: Monday, April 4, 2011; By David McGrath Schwartz; In a striking bit of intra-party fighting, Sen. John Lee laid into fellow Democrat Assembly Speaker John Oceguera for "plagiarizing" other legislators' gun bills.

Democrats: Sandoval budget uses $1.1 billion in one-time money: Thursday, March 31, 2011; By David McGrath Schwartz; Democrats said Gov. Brian Sandoval's budget uses $1.1 billion in one-time fixes to balance the budget, pushing budget problems toward another two years, and created uncertainty for businesses.

Nevada Senate rejects initiative on Strip arena: Thursday, March 17, 2011; By David McGrath Schwartz; The Senate unanimously rejected a Strip arena petition this afternoon, under a resolution that argued it was a local issue and noted that the taxes raised couldn’t be used for “essential services” from government.