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New centrist think tank out with paper on margin tax, finds revenue estimates exaggerated and more
The Guinn Center for Policy Priorities, whose goal is to be a moderate voice of analysis amid the usual political hysteria, has published its inaugural effort on the most incendiary political topic of the moment: The margin tax. The center, named for the late governor who was known for trying to be a voice of reason on many issues, has prepared a detailed and generally dispassionate document explaining what the tax is and what it isn't. It is attached here. But one conclusion -- that revenue estimates have been vastly exaggerated -- will be fodder for the campaign:
The AFL-CIO was for the margin tax before it was against it
I have previously reported that the AFL-CIO has flipped on the margin tax, now unwilling to back it after contributing to it and helping to write it. So why the revisionist history? Why the attempt to make it seem as if the AFL-CIO, which helped finance the initiative, now finds it to be some alien creation?
The first mail piece of....2016
The mailer is dense and fluffy and....early. Yes, Las Vegas City Councilman Bob Beers' campaign against Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid began this week, about 1,000 days before the election, with a mail piece (attached here) delivered to GOP voters. It is a positive piece, does not mention Reid and surely is intended to gauge enthusiasm. (My favorite part is the unattributed quote about how wonderful he is.)
The return of The Chicken
It's been coming for some time, but Team Reid clearly wants to try to help Sue Lowden against Mark Hutchison in the lieutenant governor's race.
Gamers strike back against Adelson's web poker crusade
UPDATED, 9:30 AM, 2/5/14: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, who is slightly important on this issue, has come out against this new AGA-sponsored coalition. This from spokeswoman Kristen Orthman:
My POLITICO Magazine piece on Reid and Obama
You could sense when they campaigned together that Barack Obama and Harry Reid—as different as two politicians could be—had a genuine affection for one another.
Advice for GOP candidates
If you foolishly decide to fill out the "We intend to screw incumbents and people with triple-digit IQs" Nevada Republican Party pre-primary endorsement questionnaire, I have an answer sheet for you. No need to thank me. 1. Describe, in detail, your professional & educational experience. (may attach detailed resume)
Lowden going on air in Elko with Obamacare attack ad
This spot starts Wednesday. It's low-budget, so it appears that Sue Lowden hasn't written a check (yet?) to her lieutenant governor campaign, but designed to send a message two days before an Elko debate. <
Teacher of the Year to challenge Fiore
Nevada's teacher of the year in 2013 has decided to take on Michele Fiore, the controversial assemblywoman who is in NPRI's Hall of Fame (or something) but is a prime Assembly Democratic Caucus target in a split district.