Power brokers wield clout in, out of Nevada Assembly, Senate

CARSON CITY - Each legislative session there is a small number of lawmakers, lobbyists and elected officials who drive the legislative agenda, who make the decisions, often behind the scenes, that lead to approval of the state budget and passage of about 700 new laws by June.

We call them movers and shakers. Actually they are the insiders and politically influential who, because of their wealth or business and personal connections, make the most important decisions that affect state government. Right or wrong, that's how its been in Nevada since statehood, when the mining industry's power was unlimited.

Here are people we anticipate will be movers and shakers in the 2013 session:

GOV. BRIAN SANDOVAL

Rather than only relying on aides, Sandoval has taken a hands-on role in dealing with legislators and selling his budget plans. He meets privately with each legislator and often shows up unannounced at the Legislative Building to talk issues or just to be seen. He personally negotiated with legislators the tax increase deal that ended the 2011 session.

Expect more of the same in 2013. Democrats are aware of his popularity with voters, and Sandoval knows they can't pass anything he opposes since they are four votes shy of a veto-proof two-thirds majority. The governor also will rely on his top lieutenant, Chief of Staff Gerald Gardner, a longtime lawyer embarking on a new career, and Budget Director Jeff Mohlenkamp, formerly the chief financial officer for the state Department of Corrections, in selling his message.

SENATE MAJORITY LEADER MO DENIS, D-LAS VEGAS

Denis is a calm, well-mannered and religious family man whose personal example might lead to a less partisan session. But Denis, a former state PTA leader whose wife is a school teacher, strongly believes that the state needs to do much more for public education, including implementing full-day kindergarten and reducing class sizes. He isn't going to be Mr. Nice Guy if nothing is done on those goals. Born to Cuban immigrant parents, he is the cousin of U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who might be a presidential candidate in 2016.

ASSEMBLY SPEAKER MARILYN KIRKPATRICK, D-NORTH LAS VEGAS

Kirkpatrick becomes the second woman speaker in state history with a horrible distraction to overcome: Her fellow Democrat, Assemblyman Steven Brooks, was arrested last month on allegations that he threatened her - and he is expected to be sitting in the same legislative rooms as her during the session.

Liked by Republicans, she might be the most down-to-earth speaker ever. Kirkpatrick is not a college graduate, but earned her leadership post through hard work, personality and fairness. She is known for her expertise on tax matters and intends to consider a complete tax review during the session.

ASSEMBLY MINORITY LEADER PAT HICKEY, R-RENO

An author, former reporter and Unification Church spokesman who returned to his Catholic roots, Hickey is known for his wit and being a straight talker. He readily acknowledges Republicans are limited in what they can accomplish since they hold only 15 of the 42 Assembly seats. But he knows his party can block any tax increases sought by Democrats and strive to sell Sandoval's message. Hickey often writes a funny column on the Legislature that anyone can receive by contacting him at pathickey@dataclonemail.com.

SENATE MINORITY LEADER MICHAEL ROBERSON, R-LAS VEGAS

In his second term, Roberson, unknown in state political circles before 2010, now is Republican leader in the Senate. He has an attribute that many past Republican leaders lacked: The ability to speak forcibly and challenge the Democrats.

Roberson has pledged to work in a more collegial manner with Democrats if they return that favor. But he vows he will continue to push his "pragmatic conservative" philosophy. His willingness to back Sandoval's plan to keep $649 million in taxes that otherwise end after June 30 has led to criticism from blogger Chuck Muth, who dubbed him "Moderate Mike." Don't expect that tag to continue in coming months.

MIKE WILLDEN, DIRECTOR OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

A nearly 40-year state employee who started in his teens when he worked at the state youth training school in his Caliente home town, Willden must sell the governor's plan to expand Medicaid to legislators. Over the years, he has gained increasing respect from governors and legislators. He can explain complex social service and funding issues in language they can easily understand.

JEREMY AGUERO, PRINCIPAL ANALYST FOR APPLIED ANALYSIS IN LAS VEGAS

Aguero prepares objective policy and statistical reports for many businesses and organizations and for the Legislature. He has become the go-to information guy for everybody, largely because people trust his reports. "The reason is I am an analyst, not an advocate" he said. "We are policy neutral. Our job is getting the information legislators need to make better decisions."

CAROLE VILARDO, NEVADA TAXPAYERS ASSOCIATION PRESIDENT AND A LONGTIME LOBBYIST

She is the acknowledged expert on taxes. Although she takes a pro-business, don't-tax-unless-it-is-absolutely-necessary viewpoint, she objectively answers legislators' tax questions and can suggest less onerous, better tax options. She was one of the first female lobbyists and has been a welcome fixture in the Legislature since the 1970s.

LYNN WARNE, PRESIDENT OF THE NEVADA STATE EDUCATION ASSOCIATION

Warne will have a central role in the discussions in the Legislature on tax proposals to provide more funds for education. Her organization collected 152,000 signatures on a petition to impose a business tax that would raise $800 million a year for public schools. This might be the centerpiece of the tax discussions. Some conservatives might not like the union, but every legislator wants to improve Nevada's education system and must listen to her views.

GEOFF LAWRENCE, DEPUTY DIRECTOR OF POLICY FOR THE NEVADA POLICY RESEARCH INSTITUTE

Lawrence is hated by some Democrats and loved by Republicans, some who consider his Libertarian, conservative-based policy studies as gospel. He says he simply presents objective data that he wants legislators to consider. Some Democratic legislators were rude to him in hearings during the 2011 session. He says his job is to offer "free-market thinking" that often is missing in the Legislature.

JIM WADHAMS, LAWYER AND LOBBYIST

Wadhams has been one of the primary lobbyists for the mining industry, advocating against additional taxes and making sure the news media properly present the mining industry's viewpoint. Expect a call if you aren't fair. He also represents many insurance industry clients. Wadhams is a former Commerce Department director under Gov. Robert List and has lobbied legislators since the 1970s.

GREG FERRARO, OWNER OF THE FERRARO GROUP PUBLIC RELATIONS AGENCY AND A VETERAN LEGISLATIVE LOBBYIST

Son of former Boulder City Mayor Bob Ferraro, he is one of the people who encouraged Sandoval to run for governor and has written speeches for Sandoval and former Govs. Kenny Guinn and Jim Gibbons.

His firm last summer combined with an agency owned by another veteran lobbyist, Robert Ostrovsky. They represent the gaming industry and many major businesses. A staff of seven will show up at the Legislature. Ferraro's interest in politics began as a child over dinner when his parents talked about state issues. His maternal grandfather was a Republican legislator from Reno in the 1950s.

PETE ERNAUT AND BILLY VASSILIADIS, RESPECTIVELY PRESIDENT OF GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS AND CEO OF R&R PARTNERS

This marketing and public relations-lobbying firm is famed for developing the "What happens here, stays here" slogan for the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority.

Ernaut is a former Republican legislator, chief of staff to Guinn and one of the people who encouraged Sandoval to run for governor.

Vassiliadis is a Democrat who has been critical of Sandoval, but whose wife, Rosemary, was named by Sandoval to the board of the state Department of Homeland Security. They employ a staff of nine legislative lobbyists who will represent dozens of clients, including the gaming industry and NV Energy. Vassiliadis usually only shows up at critical points of the session, often sitting outside the Legislative Building with his ear to his cellphone. His arrival means something is up.