BLOG
The ghosts of 1989 come to haunt Carson City on mining taxation
In 1989, Acting Gov. Bob Miller fulminated against the mining industry in a way that had rarely been heard in the capital.
Keystone president: We oppose the mining proposal by the Senate GOP
 Just got this -- attributed to conservative Keystone Corp. boss John Gibson:  Keystone Opposes Mining Tax Proposal
Cadish withdraws as federal judicial nominee
And thus a victory for Senator Dean Heller, who opposed her because of a gun control answer during a campaign, over Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who promoted her. Elissa Cadish's withdrawal letter (attached here), surely solicited by Reid, mentions the need to fill the slot. But this is very simple: Heller blocked her and could never move off that position. He could never explain allowing her to go through if he flip-flopped.
Las Vegas chamber endorsements: A Democrat over a Republican, a union guy over businesswoman and....no one in Henderson
 The Las Vegas Metro Chamber's municipal endorsements released today snubbed a GOP mayor needing all the help she can get, embraced a union stalwart over a businesswoman backed by conservatives and ignored a Henderson mayor facing token opposition.
Lee goes nuclear on Buck as North Las Vegas mayor's race gets nastier
In a new mail piece that hit this week -- and I mean hit -- ex-state Sen. John Lee accused North Las Vegas Mayor Shari Buck of being ethically bankrupt. "Shari Buck is looking out for herself, not your family," the piece, which I have attached here, says. And in the annals of "let's choose the worst picture we can find of our opponent," this may be the winner. Â Â
Hootervillegate update: Henderson official placed an leave; Olympics letter posted
Two developments in the ongoing case of the city of Henderson and its lawsuit against Chris Milam, the would-be arena developer:
State of tax play in Carson City
 With all this talk of a complicated margins tax and a labyrinthine process to get SJR 15 and a mining tax passed, I thought I'd simplify the tax battle in the capital at the quarter-way mark: THE DIRTY HALF-DOZEN (ROBERSON & CO.): There's gold in them thar companies. Translation: The mining protections and the margins tax are dead; long live the mining taxes. THE OTHER SENATE RS: No way, no how. Translation: No way, no how.
Las Vegas Sands breaks with NRA, backs GOP mining tax proposal
 Despite an implictly critical statement from the gaming industry lobbying arm, the Las Vegas Sands is backing the six GOP senators who want to take mining taxation out of the state Constitution and create a new levy on the industry.
Deja vu all over again on taxes -- or is it?
 Republicans wanting to raise taxes on a previously untouchable industry. Republicans attacking Republicans.  Republicans pretending they are not criticizing the governor, but actually…criticizing the governor. Oh, joy.