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UNLV prof examines complexities of polling in Nevada
Nevada's polling oddities, including overestimating GOP support and a "newspaper's" horrible record with surveys, is explored in a post for Latino Decisions by UNLV Professor David Damore.
The ambitions of the 1993 Legislature
This morning, I asked subscribers to Flash (you can sign up on the site) this trivia question: During the 1993 Legislature, how many lawmakers were there who would later run for statewide office and who are they? Lots of folks took a stab at it, but here is the correct answer: 10 (11 if you count one who started to run but never filed) Here they are: State Sen. Tom Hickey -- Secretary of state, 1994 State Sen. Sue Lowden--U.S. Senate, 2010 State Sen. Joe Neal -- Governor, 2002 State Sen. Ray Shaffer -- Lieutenant governor, 1986
Tonight--Think adoption during Thanksgiving
Tonight: A very personal "Ralston Reports" as I talk about my experience with adoption and we talk to experts and others who have adopted. Here's a link to the state adoption site, with information and pictures of some children awaiting adoption.
MY COLUMN: Gov. Sunny courts the Hispanic vote as re-election bid begins
It might be a stretch to call it the kickoff of Gov. Brian Sandoval's re-election campaign. But not much of a stretch. And what better place to begin a bid for a second term than a place called Encore, the Strip casino where 15 prominent members of the Hispanic community gathered Friday afternoon to pay tribute (and a few bucks) to the Latino governor.
Site readers: Gov. Brian Sandoval will expand Medicaid
By a 3-to-1 margin, Ralston Reports site readers say Gov. Brian Sandoval will expand Medicaid coverage as allowed under Obama care. One hundred and twenty-seven people voted in last week's poll. There's a new poll up, as well as new barometers for this week.
Tonight's "Ralston Reports" features Metro Sheriff Doug Gillespie
And we will be talking to him about the report, attached here, on deadly force and reforms proposed by the Department of Justice.
Debbie Smith to be Finance Committee chair and assistant leader
Former Speaker Pro Tem Debbie Smith is about to assume even more power in the upper house, putting her in the decision-making room with her old pal and fellow workaholic, Speaker-to-Be Marilyn Kirkpatrick. Smith has been named second-in-command to Majority Leader Mo Denis, but also chairwoman of the Senate Finance Committee. I always said that if Bill Raggio were ever forced to give up one of his titles -- majority leader or finance boss -- he always would have chosen to remain head of the most powerful committee in Carson City.
State Senate Republicans tapping donors for...losers
So what does a lobbyist or business say when the minority leader of a house comes asking for money, not for his caucus, but for two folks who ran to be members but lost? Yes, I suppose. State Sen. Michael Roberson raised more money, through PACs and through their campaign accounts, for those five critical state Senate races than has ever been raised before. When all is said and done, my guess is the total will be close to $2.5 million, maybe even $3 million.
SEIU joins chorus telling Sandoval to expand Medicaid
The Service Employees International Union has joined a chorus of voices, including many in the medical community, urging Gov. Brian Sandoval to expand Medicaid under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. The governor continues to say he will make a decision soon, but the union has sent 300 signed postcards -- release is attached here -- to try to pressure Sandoval. Not sure he will listen to SEIU, but it can't hurt.
It's good to be the queen and king
So what do you do if you just became speaker and majority leader and have a sizable majority? Go to Disneyland? Nope. Extract as much money as you can from donors before Session '13 begins. Assembly Democratic leaders Marilyn Kirkpatrick, the speaker to be, and William Horne, the majority leader to come, are having a joint fundraiser Nov. 27in Las Vegas. (Invitation attached here.) So lobbyists and the like: A few days after you give thanks on Turkey Day, go give thanks to Kirkpatrick and Horne. And bring your checkbook.