Monthly archive
Good morning, everyone. Late night last night, with both houses working into Day 120 on Day 119. Hence, the lateness of theMorning Flash and its brevity. Look for updates all day long on the final day here.
The absence these last few days of state Sen. Joyce Woodhouse has changed the dynamic here, despite the classy pronouncements from Republicans. All of the budget bills are fine – although please watch how all of the Republicans who voted for them will not all vote for the money to pay for...
Good morning, everyone. I got excited for a moment Thursday during a chat with Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick when she told me they were aiming to be done by Sunday, one day before the constitutionally mandated close of the Legislature. But then she clarified: They plan to get the major bills out of the way by Sunday so they can just do clean-up stuff on the last day. I see. Not that I would take that to the bank – the motto of this session will not be “Promises Made, Promises Kept.” But if it...
Good morning, everyone. Sorry this is a bit late as I am trying to recover from a Third House hangover. Or perhaps it’s guilt for all of the terrible, terrible things we said last night to skewer the poor Gang of 63. Guilt? Ha. Sorry, I am still in a joking mood.
Woke up wondering what Warren Buffett will buy next. We are, as everyone knows, a cheap date. One wag suggested his next purchase should be the Las Vegas Sun. Buffett is on anewspaper-buying spree, so maybe it’s not so far-fetched. But...
Good morning, everyone. As lobbyists scurry in the hallways to assure last-minute favors for their clients and four new leaders confront the messy business of closing the session, I keep hearing two words repeated over and over: Term limits. It’s not a new meme, but folks up here are talking about the toll they have taken on the process. And it will continue as experience evacuates and newbie’s descend. Has it helped the process? Don’t get me started.
One thing to look for in the closing days...
Good morning, everyone. Sending a bit late from 30,000 feet. With less than a week to go, it all seems like a blur now, doesn’t it? The Democratic leaders promising the world. Brooks. Brooks. Brooks. NV Energy’s gambit. The SJR 13 miracle in the Senate. Mining. Mining. Mining. The Democrats disappoint. Gaming wins. And the end is near----
Lots of interesting stuff Sunday for premium subscribers. Grades for Gov. Brian Sandoval are high despite lack of engagement. Expected veto count ranges from...
Good morning, everyone. The weather outside in Carson City is delightful, but I don’t see much sun inside the building. It seems as if we have entered not so much The Rush to Close, but The Going Through the Motions. Lawmakers are doing the drudgery of getting their bills passed and getting bills passed for lobbyists who have worked very, very hard to curry favor for 110 days. It’s nice to have a front-row seat to---history.
Speaking of history, it was almost anticlimactic Thursday to witness...
Good morning, everyone. My penultimate trip top Carson thismorning (I hope). I must acknowledge that I am not the joyful fellow you all knew on Feb. 4. The spring in my step has become a trudge, the hopeful outlook has become a resigned one. A flicker of hope remains because that’s how I got my reputation as Sunny Pundit. But the Session of Nothing – we have had those before – is about to peter out, full of sound---
In case you missed it, I did muse Wednesday on what might have been. It’s...
Good morning, everyone. This is the way the session ends, with a whimpering bang? Great expectations dissolved Tuesday in a remarkable raising of a white flag (by Senate Majority Leader Mo Denis) followed by a to and fro between Republicans and Democrats about who cares the most about kids, highlighted by Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson tearing into Denis & Co. for a lack of leadership and courage. It was mesmerizing and ridiculous at the same time, as if there was nothing they...
Good morning, everyone. So there are only 13 days lets of the regular session, and by my calculations, I will be in Carson City for at least 9 of the 13 days. How lucky am I? There is nothing like The Rush to Close, with one thing constant: Something unexpected will happen, large or small or both, and probably more than just one incident. Zombies will come alive, tax plans will float (briefly), Republicans will be relevant (briefly) and then we will go home for summer vacation to prepare for...
TONIGHT'S RALSTON REPORTS: Exit interview for Randy Walker, longtime head of McCarran.
DAYS UNTIL THE REGULAR SESSION OF THE LEGISLATURE ENDS: 14
DAYS UNTIL ELECTION DAY 2014: 533
DAYS UNTIL THE TEEN CAN AFFECT THE POLITICAL WORLD: 53
Good morning, everyone. I saw a couple of movies over the weekend in my desire to escape thoughts of the Legislature, both about (at least in part) a man’s longing for the wrong woman (at least in part). I...