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Adam Laxalt's new solicitor general was involved with controversial group dedicated to creating network of Christian lawyers
Lawrence VanDyke, named Wednesday as AG-elect Adam Laxalt's solicitor general, is not just a reliable social conservative like his new boss but once did a fellowship with a group that believes in "complete and total dependence upon God for everything." Several media outlets, including The New York Times, have detailed VanDyke's social conservatism, including his advocacy for creationism and against Roe v. Wade. But his roots in those beliefs go much deeper.
Sandoval, Adelson and Romney fueled GOP registration/turnout effort
When I first wrote about Engage Nevada, I thought it would be a noble but probably futile effort by one of the state's premier operatives, Chris Carr. But after the smoke cleared Nov. 4, Carr's efforts had paid off in the most dramatic Republican sweep the state has seen.
State of Nevada: We screwed up, so let judge decide who gets med pot licenses
In a response this week to a lawsuit by disgruntled medical marijuana applicants, the state acknowledged it granted dispensary licenses to supplicants who did not comply with the law mandating approval from local governments and asked a judge to decide who gets awards. I am not kidding.
Chamber study: Broaden tax base, but no profits or gross receipts taxes
Nevada could improve the tax structure by broadening the sales tax and payroll tax and reforming its property tax, but not by approving a new gross receipts or corporate profits tax, according to a new study by The Tax Foundation paid for by the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce. The full study will be released later but the executive summary is attached here.
Fiore has had seven figures in liens filed against her
UPDATED, 5:15 PM, 12/8/14: It appears, based on what tax attorneys say, that the IRS, shockingly, can be quite capricious in how it handles such cases. But it's clear Fiore has a lot of exposure here, as the agency does not take kindly to those who withhold and do not pass on the money, seeing it as stealing from the government.
State budget deficit at $161 million by end of next June, will grow larger
UPDATED, 1 PM: Gov. Brian Sandoval sent out a statement after his team presented the grim picture to lawmakers. It used some of the same verbiage he has previously brandished about revenue not keeping pace with growth and having to look to new sources. This ain't subtle, nor is it rocket science, folks: Ask for savings (remember Kenny Guinn's "fundamental review" of state government, then lament that it's not enough, propose taxes. This time, like last time (2003), the need is real; it's just the choreography that needs to be better. The statement:
MY COLUMN: How Session '15 will be just like Session '03, and how it could be different
A popular Republican governor de facto unopposed for re-election and planning a tax increase. A willing state Senate majority leader who wants to bolster education funding. An unpredictable Assembly with some strong-willed no-tax absolutists.
Fiore crashes Adelson's office, then tells caucus she speaks for him, which he denies
On Monday, the day before the Assembly Republican Caucus was scheduled to vote on new leaders, Michele Fiore arrived unannounced at the Las Vegas Strip office of Sheldon Adelson.
Goodman secures second term
If your name isn't on this bipartisan list -- how many fundraisers have Shelley Berkley and Joe Heck on them? -- I'd suggest you are in trouble with The Family. And amid the Establishment stalwarts and lobbyists, there are some gadflies on there, too -- Steve Sanson and Wayne Allyn Root are well-known political fringe types -- so this is quite the ecletic list. (UPDATED: Hadn't noticed at first that this event for the mayor of Las Vegas is not in....Las Vegas. It's in the unincorporated county. No good places downtown, mayor?)