Anjeanette Damon

Story Archive

Committee considering Brooks' ouster convenes today with secret report: Tuesday, March 26, 2013; As a bipartisan panel of seven lawmakers readies to hear evidence on whether Assemblyman Steven Brooks is fit to continue serving in the Legislature, the troubled lawmaker has furiously sent text messages and emails to his colleagues in an effort to save his seat.
Smaller classes not at top of Sandoval's education agenda: Sunday, March 24, 2013; When it comes to education, Gov. Brian Sandoval has used both the bully pulpit of his office and his budget to call for school choice, ending social promotion, expanding full-day kindergarten and better funding for programs targeting English-language learners. But Sandoval, and his administration, has been largely silent on one key issue important to education advocates, school districts and Democrats: reining in class sizes.
Assembly has constitutional authority to expel Brooks, lawyer insists: Wednesday, March 20, 2013; Legislative lawyer Brenda Erdoes argued the constitution gives the Assembly express powers to discipline and even expel its members.
Roberson hoodwinks Democrats in gambit to put construction defects bill in friendly venue: Wednesday, March 20, 2013; GOP Sen. Michael Roberson has been intent on reforming the law governing how homeowners can sue for construction defects. But first he had to find a Democratic committee chairman who would entertain the idea.
Democrat introduces bill to legalize, tax marijuana in Nevada: Monday, March 18, 2013; Nevada Assemblyman Joe Hogan, D-Las Vegas, introduced a bill to legalize and tax marijuana Monday. Under the bill, Nevadans older than 21 could legally possess up to one ounce of marijuana for recreational use and up to six marijuana plants.
Brooks' lawyer contends troubled assemblyman was 'window shopping' for gun: Friday, March 15, 2013; Assemblyman Steven Brooks' lawyer said today the troubled lawmaker was simply "window shopping" at a Sparks sporting goods store earlier this month when he filled out some paperwork to start the process of buying a rifle.
Nevada lawmaker to introduce bill legalizing marijuana: Thursday, March 14, 2013; Assemblyman Joe Hogan, D-Las Vegas, said his measure to legalize marijuana possession will be introduced in the Assembly on Friday, making Nevada the sixth state to consider decriminalizing pot.
Crime victims' families press for law on DNA collection in felony arrests: Thursday, March 14, 2013; Two years ago, in the final hours of the legislative session, one lawmaker summarily killed a bill that would have required law enforcement to collect DNA samples from suspects arrested on a felony.
Legislature hires special counsel, private investigator for Brooks probe: Thursday, March 14, 2013; The Legislature has hired Las Vegas attorney Mark Ferrario and Reno private investigator Duane Isenberg to present case on whether troubled Assemblyman Steven Brooks should be expelled from the Legislature.
Lawmakers spin through revolving door to lobbying: Wednesday, March 13, 2013; A new bill would prohibit lawmakers from working as a lobbyist for one session after they leave office. Currently, 17 lobbyists in Carson City previously served as lawmakers — here's a look at each of them.
Watch out for Assemblywoman Peggy Pierce at the grocery store: Sunday, March 10, 2013; Last week seemed to be the week for haranguing on taxes at the Legislature. Here’s a look at some of the top tirades at the Legislature from last week.
Mining rep: Republican effort to tax us is punitive: Friday, March 8, 2013; A Republican proposal to ask voters to up taxes on gold and silver mining operations is a punitive attempt to "inflict pain" on the industry, Nevada Mining Association president Tim Crowley said today in an interview taped for the political talk show To the Point.
Legislative leaders light a fire on taxing Burning Man: Friday, March 8, 2013; Legislative leaders question whether countercultural Burning Man event — which sells 60,000 tickets at $380 a pop — should be subject to the live entertainment tax.
Brooks drama bogs down bill drafting at Nevada Legislature: Thursday, March 7, 2013; Legislative bill drafters are running behind in turning out bills, due in part because of the mounting distraction posed by the potential ouster of troubled Assemblyman Steven Brooks, D-North Las Vegas.
Assembly Republicans pursue money-saving measures: Thursday, March 7, 2013; Assembly Republicans are pursuing legislation to reform the public employee retirement system and make changes to the prevailing wage system that sets the wages paid on public works projects throughout the state.
Move Burning Man to Southern Nevada? One lawmaker wants to consider it: Wednesday, March 6, 2013; Southern Nevada is already fighting Northern Nevada over education funding, university money and road projects this session. Now add Burning Man to the list.
Roberson's mining tax proposal opens rift among Republicans: Wednesday, March 6, 2013; In a move fraught with exquisite political irony, GOP Sen. Michael Roberson both usurped from Democrats a favorite populist issue and launched an effort that could kill a broad-based business tax favored by a loyal Democratic constituency. Surprising lawmakers of both parties, as well as Gov. Brian Sandoval, Roberson announced that the majority of his caucus would back pulling the mining industry’s unique tax protections from the state constitution and support a ballot measure that would raise Nevada’s mining tax.
Teachers union urges lawmakers to pass margins tax: Tuesday, March 5, 2013; Speaking in a packed hearing room, the executive director of the Nevada State Education Association today urged a panel of lawmakers to pass a business tax initiative that has few fans at the Nevada Legislature.
It's poker only for online gambling in Nevada, for now: Sunday, March 3, 2013; Ask gaming lobbyists what Assembly Bill 114 does, and they’ll tell you it legalizes online poker in Nevada. But the bill — which the Legislature rushed to the governor’s desk in a record-breaking seven hours last month — actually says nothing about poker. Instead, it legalizes “interactive gaming,” a term that would open the door to all kinds of online gambling — slot machines, blackjack, roulette. But for political reasons, and to some extent competitive reasons, Nevada’s industry wants to focus only on poker.
Where do Nevada's legislators rank nationally in salary? The answer may surprise you: Wednesday, Feb. 27, 2013; Sen. Tick Segerblom wants to professionalize Nevada’s Legislature. Since its inception as a state, Nevada has had a citizen Legislature, where members meet every other year and hold down so-called day jobs when not in Carson City writing laws. But under a measure introduced by Segerblom, the Legislature would begin meeting annually and would collect a monthly salary for their full term.
Assembly leaders name Las Vegas litigator Mark Ferrario as special counsel in Brooks investigation: Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013; Assembly leaders have named Las Vegas lawyer Mark Ferrario as special counsel to lead the investigation into whether troubled Assemblyman Steven Brooks, D-North Las Vegas, is fit to serve office, lawmakers confirmed Tuesday. Ferrario is expected to hire a former FBI agent to investigate complaints against Brooks, who has been arrested twice since the beginning of the year and involuntarily detained for a psychiatric evaluation.
Democrats look to increase education funding: Five areas lawmakers hope to make improvements in this session, but the question is: How will they pay for it?; Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2013; Democrats in the Nevada Legislature want to increase education funding by roughly $310 million — and that’s the floor of what they want to spend. The funding is in addition to the $135 million Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval has proposed to put into the public schools budget. Here’s a look at five ways Democrats want to increase education funding and the chances each proposal might make it through the Legislature.
Brooks denied access to firearms for one year: Monday, Feb. 25, 2013; Troubled Assemblyman Steven Brooks, D-North Las Vegas, can not legally buy a firearm for one-year following a background check spurred by his attempted to buy a rifle at a Sparks sporting good store last week.
Brooks attempted to buy gun in Sparks; officials reviewing whether to approve sale: Friday, Feb. 22, 2013; Troubled Assemblyman Steven Brooks tried to buy a gun at a Sparks sporting goods store Thursday. The Nevada Department of Public Safety is conducting a background check to determine whether to approve the sale.
Nevada Legislature unanimously passes online poker bill: Thursday, Feb. 21, 2013; The Nevada Legislature today fast tracked an online gaming bill, passing it through both unanimously and sending it to Gov. Brian Sandoval for his signature today.
Uncertain job description makes recruiting difficult for special counsel in Brooks expulsion case: Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2013; The search to find a special counsel to present evidence on whether troubled Assemblyman Steven Brooks is fit to serve in the Legislature is slow-going, although legislative leaders say they are close to making a selection.
Nevada's Groundhog Day? The repeating refrains in tax discussions: Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013; Legislators have long championed debate and discussion only to hem and haw about passing an actual tax reform bill. They often punt on a decision and call for a study, and the big tax debate each session starts to take on eerie similarities to past sessions.
Troubled lawmaker 86'ed from Reno casino: Monday, Feb. 18, 2013; Embattled Assemblyman Steven Brooks was kicked out of a Reno casino Friday. Sources said Brooks caused a disturbance at the Johnny Rockets restaurant inside the Grand Sierra Resort. But Brooks contends he was recognized because of the "bad press" he's been getting.
Carson City's best whiskey-drinking, law-writing establishments: Monday, Feb. 18, 2013; Sure, proposed legislation is debated both in public hearings and behind closed doors in the Legislative Building itself. But new laws are also crafted — or amended — over fine wine at Bella Fiore, martinis at Adele’s or shots of whiskey at Mo & Sluggos.
Horne crosses Sandoval, seeks to double online gaming license fee to $1 million: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013; Last week, Majority Leader William Horne, D-Las Vegas, announced he would shepherd an online gaming bil l— a top priority for Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval — quickly through the Legislature.
Democrats try to build case for additional taxes: Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2013; The top two Democrats in the Legislature are talking about taxes. As the session enters week two, Democrats have held committee hearings and news conferences to discuss taxes. But so far, it’s come down to just that: Talk
Democratic leaders give thumbs down to legalizing prostitution in Clark County: Tuesday, Feb. 12, 2013; Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, and Senate Majority Leader Mo Denis, D-Las Vegas, said it's unlikely they would support any efforts to legalize prostitution in Clark County.
Kirkpatrick vows to be a different kind of speaker: Sunday, Feb. 10, 2013; If Assembly Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, has a mantra this session it would be this: “Things will be different.” A week into the session, Kirkpatrick has proved herself to be a different kind of speaker. But whether she achieves different results remains to be seen.
Brooks' public behavior grows more erratic: Friday, Feb. 8, 2013; The first two days of the legislative session, embattled Assemblyman Steven Brooks publicly conducted himself in a manner reasonably close to that of any other legislator. That changed Thursday.
Brooks says he is taking a leave of absence from Assembly: Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013; Embattled Assemblyman Steven Brooks said today he’s taking a three-week leave of absence for an unspecified medical procedure but that he would return.
Lawmakers move forward on process to expel Brooks from the Assembly: Thursday, Feb. 7, 2013; Assembly leaders plan to appoint members to a special committee today to investigate whether Assemblyman Steven Brooks, D-North Las Vegas, is fit for duty in the Legislature.
Democrats banish Assemblyman Brooks from caucus: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013; Assembly Democrats voted to eject Assemblyman Steven Brooks from their caucus today after he reneged on his agreement to take a medical leave of absence.
Senate Democrats may not back revenue neutral tax reform: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013; Senate Majority Leader Mo Denis, D-Las Vegas, said Wednesday a revenue neutral approach to tax reform advocated by his Democratic counterpart in the Assembly may not go far enough in addressing the need for additional tax dollars for education and other state services.
Kirkpatrick to seek revenue-neutral tax reform: Wednesday, Feb. 6, 2013; Rather than seeking a tax increase this session, Assembly Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick said she will pursue revenue-neutral reform aimed at increasing Nevada’s tax base enough to eventually generate more money for education.
First day of Legislature is festive, but who will be smiling on Day 120?: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013; Opening day of the Legislature is usually the happiest. But what happens 119 days later, in the hours just before the Legislature adjourns sine die and lawmakers go home for two years?
Never mind the cameras outside the men's room; hope springs at Nevada Legislature: Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013; Here’s a truism of life, and maybe it’ll apply to politics: It’s harder to throw your rival under the bus when you’ve seen their cute kids, their significant other, their mother or their grandmother. So the Assembly and Senate floors on the opening day Monday were filled with families and the gurgling laughter, sometime screeching, of little ones.
Assembly speaker calls for tax reform, stop to education cuts: Monday, Feb. 4, 2013; In her opening speech, newly elected Assembly Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, called on lawmakers to set partisanship aside and address Nevada’s nagging problems through tax reform.
Brooks to take leave of absence, avoiding spectacle on Legislature's first day: Monday, Feb. 4, 2013; Embattled Assemblyman Steven Brooks will be sworn in today in Carson City and then take a leave of absence, potentially diffusing a distracting spectacle on the Legislature’s opening day.
All you need to know about the 77th Legislature convening today: Monday, Feb. 4, 2013; The 2013 Legislature starts today: the odd-year 120-day sprint when the state’s 63 lawmakers and the governor converge on Carson City to determine the direction of the state. Theoretically, at least.
Damon: 'At this point, it looks to be caution and comity': Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013; Each session a surprise issue pops up, and it usually has to do with a special interest rather than a broad social or government problem that needs to be addressed.
Partisan loyalties, personal ambitions to complicate legislative compromise: Sunday, Feb. 3, 2013; Partisan philosophies and personal ambitions are at play in each of the Legislature's four caucuses.
Want a real-time window to the Legislature? Follow our Twitter guide: Saturday, Feb. 2, 2013; Two years ago, Twitter transformed activity at the Legislative Building. As the 2013 Legislature opens, here’s a handy guide to who to follow and how to participate.
Troubled lawmaker says he's 'lucid,' ready to serve: Friday, Feb. 1, 2013; Assembly leaders tried to offer troubled Assemblyman Steven Brooks a quiet way out of Carson City. But if there’s anything Brooks has demonstrated since his arrest last month on charges he threatened Assembly Speaker-elect Marilyn Kirkpatrick, it hasn’t been his ability to be quiet.
Gun control, death penalty among social issues before Nevada lawmakers: Friday, Feb. 1, 2013; The tedious and sometimes politically explosive process of crafting the state budget will dominate both legislative houses and headlines over the next 120 days.
Supreme Court upholds margins tax initiative, sends to Legislature: Thursday, Jan. 31, 2013; The Nevada Supreme Court overturned a Carson District judge's decision to invalidate a ballot initiative seeking to create a margins tax on business revenue.