Mark Twain famously said "no man's life, liberty or property" was safe when the Nevada Legislature was in session, mercifully only once every two years.

But many people -- businesses, local governments, special interest groups, legislators from both parties, even the all-powerful gaming lobby -- appear to be feeling pretty secure as the 74th session gets set to convene Monday.

These observers say there aren't any major battles that look to come to a head this session. Education funding may be contentious, but many expect it to end in compromise between the Republican-controlled Senate and the Democratic-controlled Assembly.

It won't all be "Kumbayah" and smooth sailing, of course, but most expect the 2007 session to create less fireworks than some legislatures of the recent past, even accounting for surprises.

LEGISLATIVE STANDOUTS

There are 63 members of the Legislature and dozens of lobbyists and interest groups bending the ears of every one of them. But there are always a few that stand out from the rest when it comes to influencing policy and making deals to get things done, whether they are perennial players whose relationships go back decades or upstarts looking to come on strong. The Review-Journal's picks:

Bill Raggio

Senate majority leader, R-Reno

The supreme leader of Northern Nevada politics. As majority leader, he determines Senate assignments and as Senate Finance Committee chairman he controls spending bills. He's close to Gov. Jim Gibbons.

RANDOLPH TOWNSEND

Senator, R-Reno

Chairs the Senate's powerful Commerce and Labor Committee, which regulates business and is thus hugely influential. He is closely aligned with Raggio and has for years been the unofficial No. 2.

BOB BEERS

Senator, R-Las Vegas

With a run for governor and abortive tax-restraint ballot initiative, he has raised his profile. He's also cozied up to Gibbons and the Republican Party, perhaps signaling he wants to be effective rather than just incendiary.

Steven Horsford

Senator, D-North Las Vegas

The Democratic National Committeeman for Nevada is seen as a rising star in his party, if not in the Legislature. He may well have more clout than Minority Leader Titus.

TERRY CARE

Senator, D-Las Vegas

Mild-mannered former state party chairman has tried throughout his eight-year career to compromise with Republicans. While Titus is more strident, Care has greater influence among Senate Democrats.

BERNICE MATHEWS

Senator, D-Reno

The witty, plain-talking former nurse might be the most popular politician in Northern Nevada. She has shown an ability to get her way with Raggio. The new governor is among her friends.

Barbara Buckley

Assembly speaker, D-Las Vegas

Pegged as a rising star since her legislative debut, she takes over this session as the state's first woman speaker. She is respected and feared for her intelligence and deal-making savvy.

JOHN OCEGUERA

Assembly majority leader, D-Las Vegas

The North Las Vegas firefighter is used to making decisions under pressure and wants to build a reputation of bipartisan accomplishment during his first term as the Assembly floor leader.

MARCUS CONKLIN

Assembly assistant majority leader, D-Las Vegas

Nearly challenged Oceguera for the No. 2 spot behind Buckley during the campaign season with aggressive work for the caucus.

SHEILA LESLIE

Assemblywoman, D-Reno

The most liberal voice in the Democratic-dominated Assembly. A persuasive speaker during floor debates and strong critic of state bureaucracy in Assembly Ways and Means hearings.

HEIDI GANSERT

Assembly assistant minority leader, R-Reno

One of the top freshmen in 2005, she has risen quickly to become assistant minority leader in 2007. The Republican to whom Buckley has turned for help.

DINA TITUS

Senate minority leader, D-Las Vegas

Narrowly lost her bid as the Democratic nominee for governor, but she has signaled she is far from finished taking swipes at Gibbons. Titus is frequently criticized for failing to maintain unity within her minority caucus.

BILLY VASSILIADIS

Chief executive officer, R&R Partners

Word is despite their top clients, Vassiliadis and Pete Ernaut, the firm's public affairs chief, are not in Gibbons' good graces. But the duo's ability to sway legislators can't be denied.

JOHN SANDE

Lobbyist, Jones Vargas Jones Vargas, the perennial power team of top lawyer-lobbyists, led by Sande, will be present in force, as usual. Sande is close to Raggio.

ALFREDO ALONSO

Lawyer/lobbyist, Louis & Rocha

He learned lobbying from kingpin Harvey Whittemore at Lionel, Sawyer & Collins. Alonso left that firm last year to join Lewis Rocha, an even larger Western law firm.

GREG FERRARO

President, The Ferraro Group

Helped Gibbons during the campaign and remains a close adviser to the governor. He will be lobbying for the Nevada Resort Association, major utilities and others.

Josh Griffin

Lobbyist, The Griffin Crowley Group

Although he and lobbying partner Tim Crowley are going into only their second session, they look like up-and-comers with a client roster that includes MGM Mirage. TREVOR HAYES

Lawyer/lobbyist, Lionel, Sawyer & Collins

A former Review-Journal reporter, Hayes is the firm's top lobbyist. During the campaign, he organized fundraisers while remaining politically neutral.

CAROLE VILARDO

President, Nevada Taxpayers Association

The go-to person for tax questions. She served on the blue ribbon task force on transportation and will advocate for the need to fund highway construction.

STEVE ROBINSON

Gibbons' deputy chief of staff

Gibbons' top legislative advocate. He has an impressive history of federal and legislative service dating back to the early 1970s, when he worked for Gov. Mike O'Callaghan.

MIKE DAYTON

Gibbons' chief of staff

A longtime political insider who has worked for Raggio and former Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt. He may be closer to Gibbons than anyone. Dayton ran Gibbons' congressional office for six years. SCOTT CRAIGIE

President, Alrus Consulting

Former Clark County schoolteacher and chief of staff to Gov. Bob Miller. He helped pass Gibbons' Educational First initiative and advised the governor during his campaign.

JIM ROGERS

University system chancellor

His recent spat with regents has led some to wonder if the Legislature will leave the money in the budget for Rogers' baby, the University of Nevada Health Sciences Center.

CONSERVATIVE EDUCATION REFORMERS

Longtime Carson City history teacher Joe Enge lost his job last year in a dispute with the superintendent over how he taught his classes. He was elected to Carson City School Board in November and has become the Nevada Policy Research Institute's go-to guy on education matters. He will be arguing full-day kindergarten does not bring lasting results.

TEACHERS UNION

The Nevada State Education Association will be involved in upcoming battles over all-day kindergarten and merit pay for teachers. With education issues at the fore, expect the teachers to be a prominent voice.

Mark Twain famously said "no man's life, liberty or property" was safe when the Nevada Legislature was in session, mercifully only once every two years.

But many people -- businesses, local governments, special interest groups, legislators from both parties, even the all-powerful gaming lobby -- appear to be feeling pretty secure as the 74th session gets set to convene Monday.

These observers say there aren't any major battles that look to come to a head this session. Education funding may be contentious, but many expect it to end in compromise between the Republican-controlled Senate and the Democratic-controlled Assembly.

It won't all be "Kumbayah" and smooth sailing, of course, but most expect the 2007 session to create less fireworks than some legislatures of the recent past, even accounting for surprises.

LEGISLATIVE STANDOUTS

There are 63 members of the Legislature and dozens of lobbyists and interest groups bending the ears of every one of them. But there are always a few that stand out from the rest when it comes to influencing policy and making deals to get things done, whether they are perennial players whose relationships go back decades or upstarts looking to come on strong. The Review-Journal's picks: