OUR BLOGGERS ARE SAYING…

If you're not checking out the local blogs on reviewjournal.com, here's just a sample of what you've been missing:

Dead bill walking

From columnist Jane Ann Morrison:

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki has a bill to sell the state's share of tobacco settlement funds, which pay for the Millennium Scholarship program, and use the money to offset Nevada's general fund shortfall.

However, the fiscally conservative Nevada Taxpayers Association is strongly opposing Assembly Bill 91. "The uses of the funds for bonding to get us out of the current revenue shortfall, while understandable, is very, very poor fiscal policy," the NTA said in its first legislative summary.

Watch this bill die. Not just because it's poor policy, but because the Democrats aren't fond of the Republican lieutenant governor under criminal indictment for misappropriation of state funds. No embezzlement is alleged, but the indictment claims he used funds from college savings programs and failed to seek legislative approval to use the money for advertising and legal fees.

Heck, a lot of Republicans aren't too fond of him either.

For more, go to www.lvrj.com/blogs/morrison/

Another judge antes: Poker is skill, not luck

From gaming reporter Howard Stutz:

Online poker players have long argued the card game, especially Texas Hold'em, is one of skill and not a game of chance. That argument, they believe, exempts poker from the current federal ban on Internet wagering.

A judge in South Carolina last week, agreed. The decision in a case involving a 2006 police raid on a home poker game in Charleston was the third time in recent weeks a judge came to that finding. In January, courts in Pennsylvania and Colorado offered similar rulings.

South Carolina Municipal Judge J. Lawrence Duffy said that the evidence in favor of the "poker as skill" argument was "overwhelming." However, the judge upheld charges brought against five men accused of running an illegal gaming house contrary to South Carolina law, citing the need for further clarification on poker's status from a higher court.

To bolster the skill argument, expert testimony came from University of Denver professor of statistics Bob Hannum, and Mike Sexton, a former World Series of Poker champion and host of World Poker Tour events.

For more, go to www.lvrj.com/blogs/stutz/

No such thing as a 'minor' constitutional office

From Publisher Sherman Frederick:

Democrat state Treasurer Kate Marshall's judgment probably lost the state of Nevada $50 million in invested money [by placing] that much of Nevada's $3.6 billion portfolio with Lehman Brothers. Lehman Brothers toppled in the Crash of '08.

Democrats say they are concerned but (surprise) still absolutely trust their fellow political party member's good judgment. Republicans (surprise) think she stinks. Former Treasurer Brian Krolicki points out it is the first loss in securities in the state's history. On his watch, he adds, "we didn't lose a dime, and that was with the pitfalls of Enron and WorldCom."

Look, I don't have a dog in this political wrangling. Treasurer Marshall has a point when she tries to deflect blame from herself to the extraordinary market conditions. Anyone see the fall of Lehman coming?

... Forget the Democrat and Republican spinning. Save that for when she stands for re-election. For now, this is between a state treasurer and Nevada residents, [but] allow me to speak on behalf of all Nevadans when I say: Treasurer Marshall, you must do a better job. Preserve and build Nevada's financial investments, even in these times. Don't lose money. Consider this a serious job performance warning.

And, for my fellow Nevada voters, let this be a reminder for taking the so-called "minor" constitutional offices seriously.

For more, go to www.lvrj.com/blogs/sherm/

Church of Twain: A lesson for Joaquin Phoenix

From columnist John L. Smith:

The late-night talk shows owe actor-turned-rapper Joaquin Phoenix a debt of gratitude for his oddball change of professions. The talented actor a few months ago up and quit making movies and started rhyming and rapping, so far without much success. Truth is his music has generated more strange looks, laughter and gossip column headlines than anything else.

Saint Mark suffered from the same malady throughout his life, most infamously in the area of investing in "inventions" that didn't pan out financially. Twain wrote in his autobiography, "We are always more anxious to be distinguished for a talent which we do not possess, than to be praised for the fifteen which we do possess."

Perhaps someone should send Mr. Phoenix a copy of the book.

For more, go to www.lvrj.com/blogs/smith/