Politics

Sun shines on solar again
Caving to public, political pressure, BLM lifts moratorium
By Lisa Mascaro, Phoebe Sweet
The Bureau of Land Management clearly had no idea what kind of blowback it would receive when, a month ago, it closed the door on applications to build solar plants on federal land in Nevada and five other Southwest states to buy time to study their environmental consequences.
MEET THE CANDIDATES Assembly races pivotal
By Brian Eckhouse · Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Among the state’s 42 Assembly districts, elections in three of the most contentious have drawn candidates with little name recognition.
New laws affect millions in Nevada
The nearly 20 statutes cover minimum wage, taxes, social issues and more
By Cy Ryan · Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Almost 20 new laws that were approved by the Legislature last year took effect this week. Among the changes: More than 50,000 low-paid workers in Nevada are going to get a raise.
Turnabout puts DA in hot seat in possible hit man conflict
By Abigail Goldman · Wednesday, July 2, 2008
David Roger sat solemn in a suit and a tie, hands folded before him, head pitched forward, waiting to play ball. Here he is, the district attorney of Clark County, and he’s sitting on the stand, getting grilled instead of doing the grilling.
Duplicitous donor nearly gulls Gibbons
Web site donation in blackout period followed by complaint
By David McGrath Schwartz · Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Woe be the politician who forgets to disable the part of his campaign Web site that solicits donations.
Hauler insists it can boost rates
Republic Services says a ’93 deal lets it raise residents’ bills over county commission’s objections
By Tony Cook · Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Republic Services is now saying it doesn’t need county commissioners’ approval to start charging valley residents more for garbage collection.
Nevada trio help kill Michigan casino plan
MGM Mirage a player in aggressive opposition
By Lisa Mascaro · Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Rep. Shelley Berkley was poised by a main door to the House chamber last week as representatives began filing in for a vote on a Michigan gaming bill, handing out pink fliers as if she were running for student body president.
School Board’s dissident is MIA
Illness cited for frequent absences
By Emily Richmond · Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Shirley Barber’s stint on the Clark County School Board doesn’t end until the start of 2009, but she has been half-gone for at least a year. Of the 50 board meetings held since June 2007, Barber has missed 25.
Bill threatens gaming, dies quickly
Measure to help tax casino comps had wide backing
By David McGrath Schwartz · Tuesday, July 1, 2008
A bill intended to prevent the casino industry from getting $150 million in taxes back from state and local governments and school districts began the day with bipartisan support and backing from legislative staff and the governor.
CONSTRUCTION WORKER DEATHS ON THE STRIP OSHA a no-show at safety session
City, county officials plan to look at role they can play
By Alexandra Berzon · Monday, June 30, 2008
It took 12 deaths, a massive worker protest and a hearing on Capitol Hill to bring about Saturday’s meeting at the Clark County Government Center.
CONSTRUCTION WORKER DEATHS ON THE STRIP Union turns a worried eye on construction cranes
AFL-CIO to ask Legislature to reform already strict laws
By Alexandra Berzon · Monday, June 30, 2008
Nevada has some of the most strict construction crane laws in the country, but labor officials want them improved.
Gibbons had chance to silence his critics
But his actions in days leading up to Friday’s session left some furious
By J. Patrick Coolican, David McGrath Schwartz · Sunday, June 29, 2008
Gov. Jim Gibbons came close, tantalizingly close, to getting the fresh start he so badly needed.
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON Debate shifts from war funding
GI bill for returning vets, which Congress has passed but Bush and the Pentagon oppose, puts focus on the future
By Lisa Mascaro · Sunday, June 29, 2008
Here in the capital, as it must be in military towns across the country, it’s easy to remember there is a war going on.
Answers: Clark County Same lobbyist for courts, shorter term, more money
By Tony Cook · Sunday, June 29, 2008
What’s increasing faster than the price of gasoline? Apparently, the cost of court lobbyists.
Lots of answers, all of them wrong
Despite the candidates’ wide-ranging solutions, gas prices are beyond our control
By J. Patrick Coolican · Sunday, June 29, 2008
A few weeks ago, state Sen. Dina Titus stood at a gas station and blamed high gas prices on Rep. Jon Porter, whom she’s challenging in the Third Congressional District.