Week in Review: Top News

Thanks to updated revenue forecasts, Brian Sandoval will have $274 million to add to his proposed state budget, and the Republican governor pledged to put nearly all the money toward education.

The new money was announced Monday during the state's Economic Forum meeting, but it wasn't enough to satisfy Democrats who said it is well short of what is needed to adequately fund education and social services.

During a televised address Tuesday, Sandoval said almost all of the additional revenue would go into the state's public education budget. He also held firm to his campaign promise not to raise taxes.

Sandoval said that while he remains optimistic about Nevada's future, he fears that raising taxes would jeopardize the state's "fragile economic recovery."

Monday

Hello, free-for-all

Secretary of State Ross Miller announced that the Sept. 13 special U.S. House election will be open to all candidates, not just ones chosen by the two major parties.

Miller, a Democrat, said he set the rules to replace soon-to-be U.S. Sen. Dean Heller based on his reading of the law and not on politics, but Republicans accused him of "partisan gamesmanship."

Some predict Miller's decision, if it survives a GOP court challenge, could give Democrats their first ever win in the seat representing Northern and rural Nevada.

Tuesday

Police Officer sued

A Las Vegas police officer on suspension in connection with the videotaped beating of a man now faces an unrelated lawsuit stemming from one of two fatal shootings in which was involved.

Officer Derek Colling is being sued in federal court by Evie Oquendo, mother of 15-year-old Tanner Chamberlain.

In September 2009, Colling shot a mentally distraught Chamberlain as the boy held a knife to his mother's neck.

The Metropolitan Police Department also was named in the lawsuit, which seeks more than $5 million in damages.

Wednesday

Bad Run for Reid

Sen. Harry Reid showed up for work with a sling on his arm and a goose egg over his left eye after he slipped while jogging and dislocated his right shoulder.

Reid, 71, was completing an exercise run in rainy weather around 8 a.m. when he reached his hand onto a wet car and the hand slipped, aides said.

The Nevada Democrat was treated and released from George Washington University Hospital, a few blocks from his residence at the Ritz-Carlton condominium high-rise.

Thursday

No run for Krolicki

The presumed GOP front-runner to replace Rep. Dean Heller has decided not to enter the race.

Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki announced he would stay out of the Sept. 13 special election to replace Heller, setting up a donnybrook among second-tier Republicans.

Friday

Arena group to buy 51s

The Las Vegas 51s baseball team may soon be sold to a company tied to plans for a $1.95 billion complex of sports arenas in Las Vegas.

The Las Vegas National Sports Center, proposed on land across Interstate 15 from Mandalay Bay, would include a new ballpark for the 51s and two additional privately owned and financed venues: a 17,500-seat arena designed for NBA basketball and a 36,000-seat stadium designed for major league soccer.

Subject to league approval, ownership of the minor league baseball franchise is expected to be transferred by the end of July.