If you are a lobbyist – and I don’t say this often – I feel sorry for you in the next 36 hours or so as lawmakers furiously dial for dollars before Gov. Brian Sandoval issues the proclamation for the special session, cutting them off for 15 days.
The session could be done in half a day. But it won’t be. Some kind of logistical nightmare will arise or some kind of spotlight-grabbing move (WHY DOES ELON MUSK HATE THE SOUTH?) or some kind of maneuver by the newly formed Segerblom-Gustavson Party.
I just hope that the few policy folks up there, especially Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick who will oversee the Committee of the Whole, at least try to lead a debate over costs and benefits of the deal, performance markers and what the downsides might be. It will pass, as it should. I still put the over/under at NO votes at 5. Who, besides Tom Collins, wants to bet the over?
Some nuggets:
►No proc yet, but the LCB was working this weekend, starting the drafting process. The initial thought was five bills, but some may be consolidated (mark my words: There will be language problems discovered, if past is prologue):
Abatement bill
Economic devekopment rate rider bill
Direct sales of cars
Transferable tax credits
Separate bill to sunset home office tax credit
►Late Friday, the governor’s office was still dealing with legal question surrounding the failure to appoint a replacement for Peggy Pierce. The governor and lawmakers believe they are on solid footing, but Clark County folks were not too sure. They won’t sue,. But there were some fears that NPRI and PLAN might join to try to declare the session’s actions null and void. I kid. Right?
►Many lawmakers running for re-election and those seeking higher offices sent out missives akin to the one state Sen. Barbara Cegavske (running for SOS) sent out:
“I hope you will be able to join me at Monday's event at the Peppermill in Reno. Once the Governor signs the proclamation calling a special session I will be prohibited from
fundraising from that time to 15 days after the end of session. If you can attend and contribute it would be very much appreciated. Or, you can DONATE ONLINE”
►I wonder if this piece by veteran capital reporter Geoff Dornan will come up as the giveaways are discussed – the Appeal has a paywall, so here are the highlights:
Analysis: State of Nevada budget deficit growing as 2015 legislative session nears
State officials — especially in the governor’s office — aren’t talking much about it, but Nevada’s budget expenses are growing far beyond the revenue that will be available for the rest of this year and the next biennium.
First, there’s the fact the current $6.6 billion General Fund budget is balanced on the backs of $1.184 billion worth of temporary tax increases and revenue diversions. Those are all set to sunset June 30, 2015.
Although he has twice extended those revenue increases, Gov. Brian Sandoval hasn’t said what he plans to do for the 2016-2017 fiscal year budget cycle.
Sandoval said Friday he and his staff have been aware of the problems in Medicaid, K-12 education and other areas but he said he wasn’t ready to say how he plans to address them at this point.
The current budget took its first hit when the revenue from the Net Proceeds of Mines tax fell $70 million short of what was budgeted in Fiscal 2014. It probably won’t be quite as bad for Fiscal 2015 — but likely some $50 million less than projected.
So even if the sunsets are extended, there’s at least a $120 million shortfall.
If you are a lobbyist – and I don’t say this often – I feel sorry for you in the next 36 hours or so as lawmakers furiously dial for dollars before Gov. Brian Sandoval issues the proclamation for the special session, cutting them off for 15 days.
The session could be done in half a day. But it won’t be. Some kind of logistical nightmare will arise or some kind of spotlight-grabbing move (WHY DOES ELON MUSK HATE THE SOUTH?) or some kind of maneuver by the newly formed Segerblom-Gustavson Party.
I just hope that the few policy folks up there, especially Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick who will oversee the Committee of the Whole, at least try to lead a debate over costs and benefits of the deal, performance markers and what the downsides might be. It will pass, as it should. I still put the over/under at NO votes at 5. Who, besides Tom Collins, wants to bet the over?
Some nuggets:
►No proc yet, but the LCB was working this weekend, starting the drafting process. The initial thought was five bills, but some may be consolidated (mark my words: There will be language problems discovered, if past is prologue):
Abatement bill
Economic devekopment rate rider bill
Direct sales of cars
Transferable tax credits
Separate bill to sunset home office tax credit
►Late Friday, the governor’s office was still dealing with legal question surrounding the failure to appoint a replacement for Peggy Pierce. The governor and lawmakers believe they are on solid footing, but Clark County folks were not too sure. They won’t sue,. But there were some fears that NPRI and PLAN might join to try to declare the session’s actions null and void. I kid. Right?
►Many lawmakers running for re-election and those seeking higher offices sent out missives akin to the one state Sen. Barbara Cegavske (running for SOS) sent out:
“I hope you will be able to join me at Monday's event at the Peppermill in Reno. Once the Governor signs the proclamation calling a special session I will be prohibited from
fundraising from that time to 15 days after the end of session. If you can attend and contribute it would be very much appreciated. Or, you can DONATE ONLINE”
►I wonder if this piece by veteran capital reporter Geoff Dornan will come up as the giveaways are discussed – the Appeal has a paywall, so here are the highlights:
Analysis: State of Nevada budget deficit growing as 2015 legislative session nears
State officials — especially in the governor’s office — aren’t talking much about it, but Nevada’s budget expenses are growing far beyond the revenue that will be available for the rest of this year and the next biennium.
First, there’s the fact the current $6.6 billion General Fund budget is balanced on the backs of $1.184 billion worth of temporary tax increases and revenue diversions. Those are all set to sunset June 30, 2015.
Although he has twice extended those revenue increases, Gov. Brian Sandoval hasn’t said what he plans to do for the 2016-2017 fiscal year budget cycle.
Sandoval said Friday he and his staff have been aware of the problems in Medicaid, K-12 education and other areas but he said he wasn’t ready to say how he plans to address them at this point.
The current budget took its first hit when the revenue from the Net Proceeds of Mines tax fell $70 million short of what was budgeted in Fiscal 2014. It probably won’t be quite as bad for Fiscal 2015 — but likely some $50 million less than projected.
So even if the sunsets are extended, there’s at least a $120 million shortfall.
Comments: