Anjeanette Damon

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Story Archive

Romney, Huntsman share Mormon roots, took different life paths
Thursday, June 23, 2011
When former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney ran for president four years ago, many saw his Mormon faith as a challenge to overcome much the same way John F. Kennedy had to address his Catholicism in the 1960s. A challenge, that is, everywhere but in Nevada.
Campaign ad may boost Amodei but alienate the Chinese
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Mark Amodei’s opening campaign ad appears to have achieved its mission. Early campaign timing plus inflammatory images of Chinese troops in front of the U.S. Capitol equals huge “earned media” coverage.
Unread bills slide through in last hour of Legislature
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Any lobbyist will tell you it’s much easier to kill a bill than to get one through the Nevada Legislature. But there is a golden hour at the end of every legislative session that is the exception, particularly for industries and individuals with the right connections to a small circle of connected lobbyists.
Redistricting stalemate could end up in court or special session
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Many predicted the 2011 Legislature would be the impossible session — an ugly collision of freshman lawmakers and a looming battle over redistricting, against the backdrop of a historic budget crisis.
Winners, losers emerge from session as lawmakers adjourn
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
CARSON CITY -- With the traditional rush to a close — this time a staffer had to literally sprint between houses to deliver the final bill, minutes before the clock struck 1 a.m. — the Nevada Legislature adjourned early today.
Senate votes to extend 2009 tax increases, sealing budget deal
Monday, June 6, 2011
CARSON CITY - The Senate voted 15-6 today to pass legislation extending the 2009 tax increases, sending the last major bill implementing a hard-fought budget compromise to Gov. Brian Sandoval.
Lawmakers reach deal with mining industry over tax deductions
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Lawmakers reversed themselves on an agreement that would have let Nevada mining companies keep their tax deductions for health care expenses in exchange for making a one-time payment of $6.4 million to the state.
Sandoval paying political price for breaking pledge to not raise taxes
Sunday, June 5, 2011
When then-candidate Brian Sandoval was asked for the umpteenth time about raising taxes during a Republican gubernatorial debate in April 2010, he was prepared with his answer.
Mining industry offers cash to state to ditch effort to eliminate deductions for sales tax and health insurance
Saturday, June 4, 2011
In a last ditch effort to keep lawmakers from eliminating some of the industry’s priciest tax deductions, a handful of the state’s largest mining companies are offering to make a one-time cash payment to the state.
A look at 3 proposed arenas as legislators mull financing of competing projects
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Lawmakers rushing through the final hours of the legislative session are mired in debate of a bill that could give one of three competing arena projects millions in tax dollars.
Developers lobby lawmakers for arena financing
Thursday, June 2, 2011
For nearly two hours Thursday, a parade of out-of-state developers and their cadre of Nevada lobbyists delivered their pitches to state lawmakers for three competing arena proposals seeking government financing. Each team used grandiose terms to describe those projects: Transformational. Monumental. Last-of-its-kind opportunity. Majestic Reality’s Ed Roski promised his proposal for an arena, retail shops and student housing would take UNLV athletics to the next level. Christopher Milam of Texas vowed his project would at last attract a professional sports team to Las Vegas.
Mining industry working to scuttle bill targeting their deductions, find different way to pay $23 million to the state
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Unhappy with their part in the budget deal struck this week between legislative leaders and Gov. Brian Sandoval, mining lobbyists are scrambling today to find a different way to pay the $23 million lawmakers want from the industry.
Republicans get their way, mostly, in final budget
Democrats say deal was best they could get under the circumstances
Thursday, June 2, 2011
CARSON CITY — Big business will emerge from the 2011 Legislature paying no more in state taxes than they did before the session began.
Bill changing indoor smoking bill passes Assembly committee
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
In a split vote, the Assembly Ways and Means committee passed legislation that would allow tavern owners to serve food to their smoking customers despite a voter-approved indoor smoking ban.
Construction defect bill resurfaces in budget battle
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
As a freshman in the minority party, Assemblyman Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, wasn’t invited to Monday’s late night budget negotiations between legislative leaders and the governor.
State could face a $1.1 billion liability in wake of Nevada Supreme Court ruling on local government funds
Saturday, May 28, 2011
An analysis of the budget hole created by this week’s Nevada Supreme Court ruling indicates the problem may be almost twice what Gov. Brian Sandoval’s administration estimated.
Sandoval adviser: Court ruling blows hole in budget 10 times larger than expected
Friday, May 27, 2011
A ruling Thursday by the Nevada Supreme Court opened a $656 million hole in Gov. Brian Sandoval’s proposed budget, a problem roughly 10 times what had been originally anticipated.
In a reversal, Sandoval to consider extending 2009 tax increases
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Gov. Brian Sandoval will include taxes set to expire next month in a revised budget he will unveil Friday. The move, which would run counter to his pledge not to raise taxes, comes thanks to a Supreme Court ruling that prohibits the Legislature from taking local tax dollars to fund the state.
Democrats’ schism aggravates budget turmoil; Republicans remain relaxed
Wednesday, May 25, 2011
Even to a casual observer it would have been obvious — just from pure body language, that the Republicans came out ahead in the flurry of last-minute budget negotiations Tuesday morning.
Bill would lift smoking ban in adults-only taverns
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Ever since voters passed an initiative petition banning smoking from most indoor locations, lobbyists for the gaming industry, tavern owners and others worked to thwart it. They have been unsuccessful.
Lawmakers debate bill to change indoor smoking ban in Nevada
Monday, May 23, 2011
Lawmakers have launched another 11th-hour debate into changing the voter-approved indoor smoking ban to allow bars and taverns to allow both smoking and food.
Proposed bill would crash Metro’s tow-truck monopoly
Thursday, May 19, 2011
As Henderson tow company owner Bobby Ellis tells it, Las Vegas motorists are in the grip of a powerful monopoly aided by cronyism. Crash your car on the streets of Las Vegas and you or your insurance company will have no choice but to pay a slate of fees to one of only two tow companies the police will summon to clear the street.
One foot out door, Brower scarce around state Senate
Thursday, May 12, 2011
It might be understandable if Greg Brower is suffering from short-timer’s syndrome. He’s running to represent Nevada’s 2nd Congressional District, and his state Senate seat will likely move to Clark County after redistricting.
Some in GOP question Amodei's role as candidate and party chair
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Mark Amodei isn’t a stranger to dual roles. While a state senator he was the president of the Nevada Mining Association, which employs a large lobbying force at the Legislature.
Democrats back themselves against wall on state budget
Sunday, May 8, 2011
State Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-North Las Vegas, stood on the steps of the Legislature and shouted a promise to a screaming crowd of teachers, union members and students last month.
Democrats out to build support for alternative to governor's budget plan
Thursday, May 5, 2011
The Legislature’s two Democratic leaders did their best Thursday to convince a conference hall full of skeptical business leaders that they have developed a sound plan to not only fix the budget deficit but stabilize Nevada’s tax structure.
Democrats' budget plan includes taxes on business revenue, consumer services
Draft proposal obtained by Sun outlines $1.5 billion alternative to Sandoval cuts
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Under a Democratic state budget plan, businesses would pay taxes on gross revenue instead of payrolls and consumers would pay a small tax on services.
State budgeting, in earnest, begins Monday
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Monday we will know. Monday we will know how much money the state will have to spend in the next two years. We will know whether Gov. Brian Sandoval was smartly optimistic or wallowing in wishful thinking.
Democrats bringing out big guns in state budget fight
Saturday, April 30, 2011
For months, Democratics have deployed their infantry forces of teachers, union members and students in a battle to win over public opinion and Republicans. Now, it’s time for the cavalry.
Dean Heller in U.S. Senate shifts landscape in state politics
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Gov. Brian Sandoval surprised no one Wednesday when he named Rep. Dean Heller as the replacement for the retiring Sen. John Ensign. But just because the appointment was expected doesn’t mean it won’t have far-reaching ramifications.
Sandoval plays new budget card and aids GOP
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
For months, Gov. Brian Sandoval has endured withering attacks from legislative Democrats, who claim his proposed budget would not only decimate education, but leave some of the state’s neediest, particularly the mentally ill, without a safety net.
Bill to repeal state's helmet law makes it out of committee
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
CARSON CITY - They said it could never happen. Legislators would privately roll their eyes each time the bill was introduced. Yet, session after legislative session, state Sen. Don Gustavson would push a bill to repeal Nevada’s motorcycle helmet law.
Senate Republicans refuse to play ball on budget test votes
Monday, April 25, 2011
Senate Republicans rebuffed an effort Monday by Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-North Las Vegas, to force a vote in the full Senate on Gov. Brian Sandoval’s education budget cuts.
Over decades, mining forged close ties with regulators
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Veteran mining lobbyist Jim Wadhams appeared before state tax regulators last week, days after a mining trade group acknowledged the industry has been receiving tax breaks that might conflict with state law.
For Obama, re-election turf is tricky in Nevada
Friday, April 22, 2011
At a town hall Thursday, when an earnest college student pleaded with President Barack Obama to help higher education stave off serious budget cuts, Obama launched into what could be a pat answer in almost any other state.
Shelley Berkley admonishes Nevada lawmakers not to gut education
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
U.S. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., fresh into her run for Senate, admonished the Nevada Legislature today not to gut education, arguing it would cripple the state’s efforts to recover from the recession.
Tax commission agrees to review regulations on mining tax deductions
Monday, April 18, 2011
The Nevada Tax Commission voted unanimously to accept a petition by Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford to review regulations on what the mining industry can deduct from its net proceeds tax.
Mining industry acknowledges questionable tax deductions
Sunday, April 17, 2011
Nevada mining companies have been deducting, with regulators’ approval, a slew of expenses from their tax bills that may not be authorized by state law, the president of the Nevada Mining Association acknowledged in a letter to the state tax director last week.
Doctors’ consulting fees at UMC prompt state investigation
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
A New York Times expose of the University Medical Center’s preference for a particular manufacturer of pacemakers and defibrillators has sparked a state probe into whether doctors improperly accepted consulting fees.
Citizen Legislature gives ordinary people power over what’s important to them
Sunday, April 3, 2011
The strength of a citizen Legislature, proponents argue, is that lawmakers lead real lives outside of government and bring that experience to bear on legislation, hopefully imbuing it with common sense.
Raggio-style deal-making a no-go this time
Sunday, April 3, 2011
The Legislature’s tried and true way of wrangling budget fights to a close may be abandoned this session, as Democrats search for a way to crack the anti-tax veneer of the two Republican caucuses.
Stimulus money is financing state senator’s housing project
Schneider draws on government expertise to broker complex deal
Tuesday, Dec. 14, 2010
In 2004, Mike Schneider, a state senator with a long career in real estate development, began purchasing land in west Henderson. He paid $885,000 for the first parcel and two years later bought a second.