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Legislative lawyers to Gang of 63: Go ahead and tax mining as much as you want
Or words to that effect. In an opinion i have obtained, the Legislative Cousnel Bureau rebuts a long-running mining lobbying corps' argument that passing SJR15 would lower the industry's tax burden. Not so, says the LCB. And it only takes a majority vote to put it on the ballot. Read all about it, posted here. Â
Republicans to propose mining tax initiative as alternative to margins tax
 UPDATE2 -- GOVERNOR OPPOSES -- Here is his statement, via his spox: In his balanced budget, the Governor's commitment to K-12 education has increased spending for our schools, including an additional $135 million general fund investment. What's more, because the economy is growing and local revenues are up, overall spending on K-12 education is up over $400 million from last biennium.  The Governor's budget included increased spending for education without increased taxes. The Governor will not support a tax increase. Â
Steven Brooks vs. the Legislature
This was inevitable, I suppose. Embattled Assemblyman Steven Brooks has filed a brief, though his attorney Mitchell Posin, with the state Supreme Court, arguing he cannot be banned from doing his job. This was always a danger when lawmakers moved so swiftly to create a select committee, give ChairmanWilliam Horne absolute power and then immediately banish an elected official from the place where he is supposed to do his elected business.
Nuclear industry and Harry Reid both happy about DOE nominee
Back in 1999, the undersecretary of energy swatted away concerns about geologic disposal at Yucca Mountain. ''There is certainly science left to do and being done,'' Dr. Ernest Moniz told The New York Times in a piece headlined: "New questions plague nuclear waste storage plan."
Even if Brooks is convicted, it appears he could still serve
UPDATE: Legal eagles now providing unsolicited but potentially sound...legal opinions. Could lawmakers have an out with Article 15, Sec. 3?    Sec. 3.  Eligibility for public office.
Republicans loaded for bear on margins tax
  Lawmakers will hear the teachers' union's margins tax proposal on Tuesday in a hearing that is sure to be full of sound and fury and signify punting. To the ballot, that is.
UNLV student body president to Legislature, regents: I don't support what the rest of the student leaders want
 UNLV student body President Mark Ciavola boycotted Nevada Education Day in Carson City last week and sent a scathing missive to regents and lawmakers about his colleagues' priorities. The memo, pasted below, indicates that Ciavola, a well-known Republican, former college GOP boss and ex-Rep. Joe Heck operative, is against many of the increased funding agendas of other student leaders.
Developer's attorney to Henderson: Don't use us to make your case
In a tart letter to Henderson City Attorney Josh Reid, attorney Todd Bice has essentially admonished the city not to use his client, Juliet Corp., to make its case against would-be stadium developer Chris Milam.
Reid signs amicus brief to overturn DOMA
 This is a big deal: Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, known for his conservative social views, has signed onto an amicus brief to the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn the Defense of Marriage Act. Reid has always said marriage is between a man and a woman, although he has signaled the world changed after the president, ahem, evolved. But this is a much bigger step for Reid.
North Las Vegas mayor's race starts nasty
Ex-state Sen. John Lee's attempt to have a second political life and North Las Vegas Mayor Shari Buck's desire for her constituents to forget the dismal state of the city for a campaign season is playing out north of Owwns Avenue -- and it's not pretty. Lee started with a piece calling Buck "ethically bankrupt" and Buck began with one that describes Lee's multiple bids for different offices. All that money these two are going to spend on this race might be better served trying to solidfy the city's budget..... Both pieces are attached here. Â