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MY COLUMN: Time for Democrats to take responsibility for lack of education plan, poor taxing choice for voters and Sandoval juggernaut
News item: State Senate Minority Leader Michael Roberson is named “Legislator of the Year” by the "National Education Association’s Pacific Region Republican Educators Caucus.” So now we know what it takes to get Nevada Democrats angry and activated. Not the putrid state of education funding in Nevada leaving the state near the cellar. Not the devastating crisis in Early Language Learners zooming to nowhere in most Clark County schools. Not the imagination deficit in most of the approaches to...
The embarrassment known as Hispanics in Politics
 
Chamber lobbyist goes to public sector
Trouble in business paradise? The Las Vegas Metro Chamber, which recently saw the departure of its veteran Carson City lobbyist Sam McMullen, now has lost its government affairs vice president. Chamber Chairwoman Kristin McMillan sent an email this morning announcing that McAnallen, who has been in the job for three years, is leaving for the city. McAnallen replaces John Lopez, the ex-John Ensign aide who was at the city for a cup of coffee before going to Cox Communications. The chamber...
Margin tax foes try to add to seven-figure coffers
The Coalition to Defeat the Margin Tax (and propose no alternatives) is trying to raise more money for the fall assault on The Education Initiative. The group already has reported taking in $2.3 million to fight the tax plan on the ballot. The teachers union has reported raising half that much. And now the opponents are holding their first public fundraiser, as if to say: Look who's on our side. (You know, pretty much everybody) So on Sept. 23, if you have as little as $250 or as much as $10,...
Old song but with new ending? Business group says fix education funding
 
UNLV bans medical pot on campus
Medical marijuana is legal in Nevada, is being licensed by the state and local governments, but is not welcome at UNLV. What's below went out this morning. I hope no professor does a study saying the administration is wrong on this interpretation.   UNLV Statement on Illegality of Medical Marijuana on Campus  Campus Community, Although the State of Nevada has passed laws legalizing medical marijuana, possession and/or use of medical or recreational marijuana remains prohibited anywhere on the...
UNLV economist responds to tacit administration rebuke
A few days after UNLV backed off its own study, the economist who oversaw the margin tax evaluation has responded, saying he will put a disclaimer on future studies. And I was afraid this would chill academic freedom. Silly me. Actually, Stephen Brown did not back away from the study. But a disclaimer? Really? Here it is: The Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) was established in 1975 to: (1) make  available academic expertise in research projects that assist in the development of...
Multi-state group of progressives, others write letter on battery factory
A half-dozen groups, including the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, have drafted an open letter to various states about Tesla Motors as it decides where to locate a battery "gigafactory," urging negotiators to be transparent and not to give away the store. "What’s needed are smarter deals, recognizing that all of our states could potentially spend $500 million on other vital public services," the letter says. "Any agreement struck must be fully transparent – no law requires you to...
MY COLUMN: Laxalt tries to get train wreck back on track
Adam Laxalt’s campaign for attorney general has become what his old law firm’s evaluation committee once said of his legal skills: a train wreck. His bid has gone off the rails since the disclosure last week that a review committee at his former law firm essentially thought he was incompetent, even using the unfortunate shorthand of labeling him a “train wreck,” asserting he needs to "address basic legal principles" and has "judgment issues and doesn't seem to understand what to do." As Laxalt...
Mountain Ridge kids unite community, send message about what can be done
 

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