Monthly archive

Milam uses FOIAs to try to make connection, but to what?
  This week, an attorney for failed arena developer Chris Milam asked two federal agencies for a lot of documents that he clearly hopes will explain why the BLM canceled a land deal with him earlier this month. What is he looking for? A connection to Reid the Elder (the majority leader) or Reid the Younger (the Henderson city attorney)? I'd guess so. But is he fishing, looking for something specific or simply devolving into conspiracy theories? The letters are attached here.  
No new taxes, but plenty o' fees
By now, you know Gov. Brian Sandoval's mantra so well you don't have to be reminded (Hint: Same as Jim Gibbons', only people listen.). But when he sunnily says, "No new taxes," you notice something about Sandoval's assertion: He doesn't also say, 'No new fees." And that's because there are plenty of them in the budget he presented and most or all will be in the final package -- nearly $60 million worth. Some are large -- the unemployment insurance assessment is more than half of the total --...
Would Assembly Democrats be crazy/dumb enough to take a bribe to kill SJR15?
Would Assembly Democrats really trade an extra $50 million or so from mining to kill SJR 15, the resolution taking the industry’s tax policy out of the Constitution? I don’t think they are that dumb or short-sighted, but I don’t want to bet my stash of gold bars on it. Nevertheless, the conversation did take place, Nevada Mining Association President Tim Crowley confirmed. Here’s what he tells me: The exchange apparently began as bar talk late last week between some mining lobbyists (Crowley...
Mayors' group prepares all-out push to get Jones' bill passed
I've already told you about the group started by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg trying to pressure Carson City Republicans to pass state Sen. Justin Jones' background check bill. Now the group, Mayors Against Illegal Guns, is coming with a TV ad and the arrival this week in Carson City of victims of gun violence from high-profile tragedies. Those include: Gilles Rousseau:  His daughter, Lauren Rousseau, was a permanent substitute teacher murdered with a gun in the Newtown shooting.  Neil...
What could bring Reid and Sandoval together? Helping NV Energy
"REID, SANDOVAL SEEK TO POSITION NEVADA AS NATIONAL CLEAN ENERGY LEADER" You don't see headlines on a news release like that too often. We know that SB 123, the omnibus NV Energy bill that passed a Senate panel right before the release was read into the record, is Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid's baby. We know Gov. Sandoval's closest adviser, Pete Ernaut, is the driving force behind the bill. But a joint release? To help juice the bill through? Bipartisanship! There is hope for America. And...
Centrist think tank forming in Nevada
Sick of ideologically driven, tendentious research, a group of prominent Nevadans is organizing to form a new think tank expected to be unveiled in a few weeks. I've learned the new organization will be headed by ex-Harrah's chief Phil Satre and will be named after former Gov. Kenny Guinn, known for his moderate bipartisanship. The Guinn Center for Public Policy already has a board -- listed below and heavy on former educators -- and an executive director -- Nancy Brune, a Nevadan with an...
NV Energy presents new version of its omnibus bill
And here's a summary via the company (actual changes attached) NVision reduces CO2, SO2 and other emissions and ensures that NVE will continue to have the resources to provide reliable service.  The legislation requires the Company: ü  to retire 800 MW of Company-owned coal-fired generating plants; ü  to acquire or construct 550 MW of capacity to replace the retired coal-fired generating plants; ü  to acquire or construct 50 MW of renewable facilities; ü  to issue requests for 300 MW of...
Bloomberg's anti-gun group targets key NV legislators
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg's anti-gun group is stepping up its efforts in Nevada to get state Sen. Justin Jones background checks bill passed. The group dropped mailers in districts of five Republican senators today -- attached below -- and has a field program going in GOP state Sen. Michael Roberson's district. I bet we hear about this on the floor from the targeted lawmakers.  
Heller will oppose Reid's judicial nominee
Sen. Dean Heller plans to oppose a judicial nominee pushed by his colleague, Harry Reid, and whose law firm gave $150,000 to a PAC linked to the majority leader. Heller will vote against Jennifer Dorsey, using the this story by the Review-Journal's Steve Tetreault as the reason. here's the statement I obtained from Heller: “I raised my concerns with Jennifer Dorsey before she came before the Judiciary Committee. I hoped that allowing the Judiciary Committee to proceed would clarify these issues...
Milam's company files suit in DC federal court to get land sale denial overturned.
UPDATED, 5/16: Development consultant Mike Ford, who worked with Chris Milam on the arena land deal, had this to say about the lawsuit against the feds: Mr. Milam, in my opinion, should win his suit against BLM on the law and the facts. The BLM sabotaged the sale upon unproved and highly disputed claims which the City of Henderson dropped as part of its settlement. In short, the sale fully complies with all applicable federal laws, rules, and regulations and the BLM took this action with no...

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