Politics

Nonpartisan voters make biggest gain in October
By Cy Ryan · Friday, November 6, 2009
CARSON CITY – Democratic and Republican candidates are spending the most money but nonpartisan voters made the biggest gains in registration in October.
House poised for historic vote
After six months of angry debate, one final bill ready for roll call
By Lisa Mascaro · Friday, November 6, 2009
The long, national health care debate is about to come to an end, at least in one chamber of Congress. But it is not drawing to a close quietly. The House is preparing for a weekend vote that cannot come quickly enough for Nevada’s Democratic lawmakers.
Las Vegas mayor still mulling over running for governor
Oscar Goodman sounds more interested in running an independent candidate
By Dave Toplikar · Thursday, November 5, 2009
Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman said today he's still "just thinking" about running for governor next year. "I'm trying to figure out for myself whether or not I want to give up the pleasure of being the mayor of Las Vegas ... or the wonderful things I believe are happening in contrast to getting involved in a heated race," Goodman said this morning.
Ron Kantowski A venue for all types of pros
Even if a big corporation does build an arena downtown, that’s no reason to pursue a sports team. Is it, Mayor?
By Ron Kantowski · Thursday, November 5, 2009
One more reason why I love Las Vegas: I can get the mayor on the phone even when I don’t leave a message.
DAILY MEMO Detained for years but never charged
Lawsuit by witness held in Vegas could affect government actions
By Richard A. Serrano · Thursday, November 5, 2009
Many people wanted by authorities come to Las Vegas to hide. Abdullah al-Kidd came here so the federal government could keep an eye on him. For about three years he lived here, much of it under house arrest, while federal lawyers in Idaho prosecuted a suspected Islamic terrorist. Al-Kidd was supposed to be a star witness.
What East Coast results might hold for Titus, Reid
Should Nevada’s two vulnerable Democrats worry about the parallels between their party’s mixed results in this year’s races, and their own in 2010?
By Lisa Mascaro · Thursday, November 5, 2009
Even before the polls closed in far-flung New York, New Jersey and Virginia, the spin was under way deciphering what Tuesday’s results could mean for Nevada’s political landscape in 2010. The 2009 contests are the first significant measure of the electoral mood in the Obama era, and both Democrats and Republicans saw advantages they did not want to go unnoticed.
Dina Titus backing House health care plan after changes
By Lisa Mascaro · Wednesday, November 4, 2009
WASHINGTON -- Democratic Rep. Dina Titus dropped her opposition today to the House health care bills, saying changes have been made since she voted against it in committee in July and it has now won her support.
Their stories heard on the Hill
Small-business owners go to D.C. to testify for reform
By Lisa Mascaro · Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Michael MacQuarrie never cared for politics. Never had much faith in politicians. But here he was Tuesday in the Capitol and, later, at the White House — part of the lobby machine on health care reform. MacQuarrie and other small-business owners had been summoned to share their stories and press for health care reform.
Lowden: ‘I didn’t laugh about it’
But tape of exchange over Reid bomb story reveals otherwise
By David McGrath Schwartz, Cy Ryan · Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Was it a chuckle or a laugh? And what, exactly, was she laughing at? The talk radio exchange that set off the skirmish between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sue Lowden, one of his Republican challengers, was dissected Tuesday on the Northern Nevada TV program “Nevada Newsmakers.”
DAILY MEMO: COUNTY GOVERNMENT Competition for county work worth a look?
Commissioners say maybe, but they raise several questions
By Joe Schoenmann · Wednesday, November 4, 2009
The “runaway” costs of unionized employees have municipalities across the nation considering “managed competition,” which forces public employee unions to compete for their public jobs.
Former state senator Raymond C. Shaffer dies at 77
By Cy Ryan · Tuesday, November 3, 2009
CARSON CITY – Former state Sen. Raymond C. Shaffer, who represented North Las Vegas, has died at the age of 77. The death Saturday was announced at a meeting of the Legislative Committee on Energy today.
Special session of Legislature likely; tax hike not
Elections are one reason budget might be balanced with cuts
By David McGrath Schwartz · Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The “no new taxes” slogan isn’t just for the governor anymore. As tax revenue continues to plummet, a special legislative session to address a growing budget gap becomes more likely. And there’s little appetite among legislators to raise taxes.
Pay increase is only for some under DA
As court reinstates raises of most-senior prosecutors, it takes away pay hikes for their lowest-paid colleagues
By Joe Schoenmann · Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Clark County’s highest paid prosecutors are getting the raises they fought for this year, but their less experienced colleagues are paying the price.
City found at fault in tennis court defects case
Arbitrators award contractor total of $2 million; each side spent more on attorney fees
By Sam Skolnik · Tuesday, November 3, 2009
State-appointed arbitrators have found that Las Vegas managers “knew from the beginning” that their plans for the Darling Memorial Tennis Center were defective — long before the center’s cracked courts launched a costly, four-year legal dispute.
Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie to run for Senate
By Cy Ryan · Monday, November 2, 2009
CARSON CITY – Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, who is stopped from running for reelection because of term limits, will seek a seat in the Senate to succeed Sen. Bernice Mathews, D-Reno.