The continuously updated, end-of-days Legislature blog!

Author’s note: This blog will be continuously updated with legislative news during the final week of the Nevada Legislature’s 2015 session, which ends on June 1. For even more up-to-the-minute news, follow me on Twitter.

CARSON CITY — It’s the end times!

Well, at least the end times for the 2015 Nevada Legislature, which under the state constitution must adjourn by midnight on Monday, June 1.

Some things are moving quickly in Carson City, even as others move at a glacial pace. Bills are dying and rising from the dead, compromises are being struck and behind-closed-doors meetings are being held as the search for votes for taxes continues.

This blog will be a continuously updated journal — with the most recent items on top — of various legislative happenings as they happen, so feel free to bookmark it and return often. And, as always, follow me on Twitter for the most up-to-date events happening in the capital.

Sine die! Final update

UPDATE (June 2, 1:30 a.m.)

“Mr. President, this is ridiculous!”

State Sen. Kelvin Atkinson, D-Las Vegas, wasn’t speaking about the entire legislative endgame, but he may as well have been, when he used his trademark objection on the Senate floor Monday night. (He was actually talking about a bill to subdivide the Clark County School District into five school “precincts.” The bill, by Assemblyman David Gardner, R-Las Vegas, was introduced in a quick committee meeting in the back of the Senate chamber, and then swiftly brought up for approval by Republican leaders in the closing minutes of the session.)

The bill, which passed the Assembly with a bipartisan 35-5 vote earlier in the evening, had been debated extensively in the lower house for much of the session, and Gardner proved to be one of the most tenacious lawmakers in the Legislature in pushing the plan through various amendments. But Democrats in the Senate did everything they could to keep it from passing. When Republicans pushed it through despite their objections and requests to debate the measure, they drew an angry rebuke from Minority Leader Aaron Ford, D-Las Vegas. “Shame on you!” Ford said to Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison, the presiding officer.

State Sen. Pat Spearman, D-North Las Vegas, also made an unsuccessful effort to resurrect her bill to give priority in daycare admissions to military families, but was gaveled down. “I’m a decorated veteran, and I can’t say five or six words? I’m disappointed,” said Spearman outside the Senate chamber after the session adjourned. (She served in the U.S. Army for 29 years, rising to the rank of lieutenant colonel.)

Meanwhile, over in the Assembly, things were grinding down. Processing a long list of bills, motions got confused, members weren’t sure what to say on which bills, or even the basic process of adopting amendments. As a result, some bills probably died that might otherwise have lived.

One bit of good news: A bill that purports to abolish the foreclosure mediation program in two years included language from another measure that would allow homeowners in financial distress to request foreclosure mediation. That language was a victory for freshman state Sen. Becky Harris, R-Las Vegas, who saw the issue through to the end. Given that the Legislature wanted to kill the entire foreclosure mediation program this year, saving it and adding homeowner-initiated foreclosure meetings was a victory for struggling homeowners.

Other bills — to have a presidential primary instead of a caucus, to prevent people from falsely claiming to live in a particular district in order to run for office, to require parental notification before a minor gets an abortion and to allow concealed weapons permit holders to have weapons on college campuses — were not so lucky. All those ideas failed to pass on the session’s final day.

The Assembly also bade farewell to two departing members, who face term limits: Former Assembly Speaker (and current Minority Leader Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, and Assemblyman Harvey Munford, D-Las Vegas, were honored by their colleagues after the session ended. (Kirkpatrick may be planning a run for the Clark County Commission seat held currently by Tom Collins, who faces term limits himself and may be contemplating a run for North Las Vegas mayor against incumbent John Lee.)

That’s all from Carson City for this session.

Senate concurs in tax plan amendment. Nevada Revenue Plan on way to governor!

UPDATE (June 1, 11:15 a.m.)

The state Senate voted 18-3 to concur in the Assembly’s amendment to Senate Bill 483, thus approving the bill and sending it to Gov. Brian Sandoval for his signature.

All senators, including Sparks Democrat Debbie Smith, still recovering from surgery to remove a brain tumor this year, attended the proceeding and cast votes. “This means so much, the fact that we are finally, finally funding education in this state,” Smith said.

State Sen. Becky Harris, R-Las Vegas, noted that she ran on a platform that included more funding for schools, and said she heard concerns from parents during her 2014 campaign about poorly funded schools. “When I push the green button today, I will be keeping my campaign promise to my constituents,” she said.

And state Sen. Greg Brower, R-Reno, answered critics who accused lawmakers of selling out by voting for the tax plan.

“For those who have flooded this body with angry, sometimes bizarre emails. This vote is not the product of some grand conspiracy or undue threats or pressure,” he said. “This is simply a case in my view … [of] a supermajority of legislators from both sides of the aisle having listened to all of the evidence … [and] following the bold and visionary lead of our governor in doing the right thing. It’s a simple as that.”

It may have been simple, but it wasn’t unanimous. State Sen. Don Gustavson, R-Sparks, voted no, along with Sens. Pete Goicoechea, R-Eureka and James Settelmeyer, R-Minden.

Gustavson said he supported more funding for education, but not in the form of taxes included in the amended bill.

“It is the means to get there than I’m opposed to,” he said. “We’ve given plenty of money to education over the years. Where is that accountability?” He added that the tax too closely resembled the overwhelmingly rejected Question 3 and would create a “mini-IRS.”

“The leadership of both houses should be ashamed of themselves for pushing through the largest tax increase in history,” he said.

But if anything, leaders were proud of their stance, calling it “historic.”

“Call it a new Nevada. Call it a blueprint for a new Nevada,” said Senate Minority Leader Aaron Ford, D-Las Vegas, referring to Sandoval’s nickname for his program and the nickname of its Democratic alternative. “Call it whatever you like. The reality is that everyone in this building came together to do what’s right. … I look forward to rolling out our new Nevada together.”

History made: Nevada Revenue Plan approved!

UPDATE (May 31, 9:45 p.m.)

In the end, the contrast in the debate over the tax plan approved by the Assembly on Sunday night could not have been more stark.

On one side, there were Republicans who cited a promise (the Tax Pledge), the process (no caucus meeting, not enough time to read an amendment) and pretend (taxes will prevent new businesses from moving to Nevada) as reasons for their opposition.

On the other side, there were Republicans who appealed to reason, admitted a mistake and outlined a path from petulant opposition to thoughtful support.

It was Taxation Committee Chairman Derek Armstrong, R-Henderson — who so strongly objected to Gov. Brian Sandoval’s original tax plan he authored an alternative of his own — who made the motion to approve a compromise plan. He was supported by fellow Republican Erv Nelson of Las Vegas, who gave one of the most thoughtful floor speeches in recent Assembly history.

But not before conservatives lambasted their tax-supporting colleagues as betrayers and sellouts.

“Many of us in this body ran on promises that we’re about to break. Our integrity and character is on the line,” said Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, R-Las Vegas. Dr. Robin Titus, R-Wellington, added: “I would encourage those who still have some integrity to vote no.”

But it was Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, who outlined the conservative case in a kitchen-sink speech that said the commerce tax portion of the Nevada Revenue Plan was the exact same thing as the rejected margins tax of 2014, that tax money raised in 2003 had never been properly accounted for, that lawmakers had been cooped up with lobbyists for too long and the voices of constituents were fading. “Of all the votes we’ve taken in the 2015 session, this is the one,” Hansen said.

But Nelson countered with a speech of his own that was, in many ways, the mirror opposite of Hansen’s remarks. He opposed the tax initially, but without knowing much about it. “It’s easy to sit at home and spout the party line, and I did it,” Nelson said. But then he began talking to lobbyists, both pro and con on taxes. He studied the various tax plans. He looked at budget cuts that had been made in the recession.

“I gradually changed my mind, and now genuinely feel that Gov. Sandoval’s plan … is right for our state,” Nelson said.

Not only that, he said, but a change of heart shouldn’t be read as a lack of character: “We should not lower ourselves to personal attacks and questioning each other’s integrity.” he said of his evolution. “I was uninformed. I made a mistake.”

Added Nelson: “It’s funny, before I came here, I was a right-wing extremist. Now, I’m a RINO [Republican In Name Only].”

In the end, the vote was 30 ayes, 10 nays and two members absent. (The absent two — John Moore of Las Vegas and Vicky Dooling of Henderson — were tax opponents whose votes would have changed the final tally to 30-12, still not enough to defeat the tax.) The measure will now return to the Senate, where senators need only concur in the Assembly’s action for the bill to take effect.

That vote marks a history-making moment in Nevada. For the first time in the state’s 150-year history, Nevada will have a revenue tax on business. And the fact that it happened under Republican leadership, with Democratic assistance, is but another historical aspect of the vote.

The reactions were swift. Gov. Brian Sandoval had this to say:

“I am incredibly proud of the men and women of the Assembly who today affirmed that Nevada is ready to lead. This vote moves us one step closer to cementing the legacy of improving public education by both raising accountability as well as increasing investment in order to suit the needs of generations to come,” said Governor Brian Sandoval.

“The passage of this bill is a testament to the vision, dedication, and determination of the members of the Nevada State Assembly, and represents their commitment to doing what is best for our citizens. Their display of bipartisanship reminds us how effective we can be when we work together. I applaud Majority Leader Paul Anderson and Minority Leader Marilyn Kirkpatrick for their courage and leadership throughout this legislative session. Together, they refused to lose sight of the larger mission. I would also like to extend my gratitude to Assemblyman Derek Armstrong, the original author of this bill, who worked tirelessly to ensure our revenue plan complemented the needs of our growing and changing economy. I look forward to working with Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson and Minority Leader Aaron Ford to pass this bill out of the Senate and finish the people’s work on time.”

Democrats, who have pushed unsuccessfully for a revenue tax for decades, greeted the news with a statement of their own:

“In the beginning of this legislative session, Democrats said that we will be at the table and work with the Governor toward passing a revenue package if it met the conditions of being broad-based, stable, and not built on the backs of middle class families and small businesses,” said Assembly Democratic Leader Marilyn Kirkpatrick. “With the changes that were made to the Governor’s original plan, we are confident that we can say those conditions were met and we will finally be able to see an increase in education funding.”

The thoughtful and cooperative manner in which the bill was crafted demonstrated to Democrats that the Governor, and our business community, were serious when it came toward making changes that benefitted all Nevadans.

“Democrats fought for increases in funding for Full Day Kindergarten, English Language Learner Programs, Career and Tech, Read by Three and other educational enhancements to benefit middle class families across Nevada. SB 483 provides the necessary revenue to fund those programs, as well as other priorities in our Nevada Blueprint that ultimately protected and expanded the middle class across our state, ” said Kirkpatrick.

Fiore, however, was not happy.

“I will always stand with the voters of Nevada, and when they voted down the Margin Tax overwhelmingly last year, I heard them loud and clear. That is why I voted against Senate Bill 483. I find it abhorrent that Governor Sandoval would try to pass off this wolf in sheep’s clothing by renaming the “Margin Tax” to “Commerce Tax”.

“The whole production has been disingenuous. I have tried to ask on the record only to be silenced when I raised questions about the interests of the advocates, including Jeremy Aguero. It concerns me that his financial interest in this tax has not been disclosed. It is unclear what he has been paid by the Governor or the taxpayers of Nevada to sell this tax. Other advocates include Caesar’s Entertainment, which is currently in bankruptcy. This makes me question the quality of their support.

“Finally, I am very disappointed with my peers for caving to political pressure. Some of the biggest name lobbyists in Nevada have been twisting arms and making promises to pass this tax, and several of my peers fell for the act. In the hours leading up to the vote, these members could not be found, as they were whisked away so they could not be reminded of the promises they had made to voters.

“I will always uphold the promises I have made to those who have elected me. I stand with the voters of Nevada.”

Ira is irate!

UPDATE (May 31, 4 p.m.)

Republican Assemblyman Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, invited the press into the Republican caucus room this afternoon, to complain (loudly) that Speaker John Hambrick and Majority Leader Paul Anderson, both R-Las Vegas, won’t call for a Republican caucus meeting to discuss the tax bills, which are about to be brought up on the floor.

“All we’re asking is to have a meeting to discuss the largest tax increase in Nevada history,” said Hansen, who stood throughout the meeting in a twice-buttoned suitcoat.

Hansen said he was concerned that voters would retaliate against Republicans if the Legislature — all Democrats and a majority of the GOP caucus — passed a tax plan that includes a tax based on revenue, since voters rejected a margins tax in 2014. (The margins tax of 2014 differs significantly from the proposed commerce tax that’s part of the governor’s Nevada Revenue Plan, however.)

Hansen also complained about aggressive lobbying from the governor’s staff in favor of the tax plan. “I’ve never seen so aggressive ann effort on the part of the governor’s staff,” he said, suggesting the lobbying was a violation of the constitutional separation of powers doctrine. “Frankly, the governor’s staff has gone way overboard.”

But aggressive lobbying on bills is a hallmark of every session. In the last few months, lobbyists have worked members hard to legalize Uber, to pass bills allowing guns to be carried on campus or require parental notification before minors get an abortion and the use of solar panels on residential rooftops.

Asked if he expected anybody would change their vote as a result of a caucus meeting, Hansen said there was a possibility, especially with respect to members such as Glenn Trowbridge, R-Las Vegas, Philip P.K. O’Neill, R-Carson City, Erven Nelson, R-Las Vegas and David Gardner, R-Las Vegas. In fact, Hansen said, he and his fellow conservatives could not even physically locate those members in the building to lobby them.

“Don’t you believe we should at least have a discussion on the issues?” Hansen said, acknowledging that he was appealing to the press to help arrange a caucus meeting from which reporters would be banned.

“I’m feeling very frustrated that our side isn’t being heard,” Hansen said. “Win or lose, we’re going to go down fighting.”

Given that the pro-tax side seems to have secured at least the 28 votes need to pass a tax plan, that fight may happen soon. And that’s undoubtedly the reason why leaders won’t call a caucus: Why in the world would they give Hansen and the conservative caucus a shot at upsetting a pro-tax coalition? That makes no sense.

Same old, same old

UPDATE (May 30, 5:10 p.m.)

The Assembly met as the committee of the whole today and heard the most recent version of the governor’s tax plan. It’s essentially unchanged, although the business license fee has been adjusted to remain at $200 for most businesses and $500 for corporations, and the exemption under the commerce tax portion of the tax has been increased to $4 million, which means about 90 percent of businesses won’t pay it at all.

Assembly members asked questions for a long time, with those philosophically aligned against the tax more critical than those who tend to be more supportive of the plan. But not much new was heard, either in terms of questions or in terms of answers.

One noticeable element of the hearing: It’s entirely understandable that industries such as the Nevada Trucking Association, the Nevada Retail Association or the Nevada Resident Agents Association — all of whom would pay more under the tax — would oppose it. That’s natural.

But plenty of representatives of other industries that would also pay more testified in favor of it. Companies such as Caesars and MGM Resorts International, Sprint, AT&T, DirectTV, DISH Network, Barrick Gold, Boyd Gaming and Golden Gaming will all pay more. But they still supported it. More than one said the wanted to pay their fair share and participate in paying for the programs for which they’ve advocated. If any nobility can be found in the legislative building or the process of crafting a tax plan, perhaps this is it.

Not only that, but the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce made a clear statement of support, too. Lobbyist James Wadhams put the business group on the record without the conditions that Chamber President Kristin McMillan listed on Monday.

The Assembly also honored Nevada Taxpayers Association President Carole Vilardo, the be-hatted, unquestioned expert on Nevada tax policy who is retiring next year. Vilardo has helped so many reporters, including me, understand taxes over the years, and her “Nevada Tax Facts” books are must-reads for those covering state government. After my assemblyman, Lynn Stewart, R-Henderson, noted her long service — she began lobbying in 1977, the year “Star Wars” was released! — she got a heartfelt standing ovation. There was another after Minority Leader Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, presented Vilardo with an official proclamation.

The building just won’t be the same without her knowledge.

It’s crowded up in here!

UPDATE (May 30, 12:15 p.m.): Everybody knows that lobbyists play a key role in the legislative process. They provide much-needed information to lawmakers, carry messages back and forth and help craft compromises on bills. A good lobbyist can mean the difference between a bill passing or failing.

But does there have to be so damn many of them?

According to statistics I obtained when somebody handed me a chart, there are 960 lobbyists registered to work during the 2015 session, the most ever recorded. By the way, that’s 15.2 lobbyist for each of the 63 lawmakers currently serving. And the 960 lobbyists in this session, is more than twice as many lobbyists as registered for the 1983 session, for example.

The number of companies or organizations hiring lobbyists has also increased; this year, 1,290 employers hired lobbyists to represent them in Carson City. That’s also the most ever.

In the 2013 session, 872 lobbyists represented 1,176 organizations and employers.

Is it too late to include a lobbyist tax in the Nevada Revenue Plan? Because this appears to be a growing revenue source for the state!

Only kidding. You know there’s 960 people who would come together to kill that bill.

What issues might those be, Mr. Chairman?

UPDATE (May 29, 6:30 p.m.): Sometimes, politics makes strange bedfellows. But sometimes, it’s good policy that does. The latter was the case on Friday in the Assembly Judiciary Committee, as state Sen. Becky Harris’ Senate Bill 321 came up for a hearing.

Quick background: The bill would allow a struggling homeowner who realizes he or she may soon be unable to pay the mortgage to request foreclosure mediation before they are actually foreclosed upon. Harris drew upon her experience as a mediation attorney to write the bill, which is also sponsored by by Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson, R-Henderson and state Sen. Patricia Farley, R-Las Vegas, as well as Senate Minority Leader Aaron Ford and state Sen. Kelvin Atkinson, both D-Las Vegas. Democratic Henderson state Sen. Joyce Woodhouse is a co-sponsor. It passed the state Senate 19-0, with two members absent, earlier this week.

That’s right: The Republican leader and the Democratic leader, in full agreement, along with every single voting member of the Senate. But wait, there’s more.

At Friday’s hearing, the Nevada Bankers Association (via lobbyist George Ross) and the Legal Aid Center of Southern Nevada (via lobbyist Jon Sasser) testified in support of the bill. Ross joked the last time the two were on the same side, former lawmaker Sheila Leslie took a photo to commemorate the occasion. But wait, there’s more.

Members of the Judiciary Committee praised the bill. Assemblyman Erv Nelson, R-Las Vegas, said “I can’t see how anyone could consider voting against this bill.” His views summed up the opinion of the panel, as members universally praised the bill.

So, it’s a done deal, right? Should get a quick, positive vote in the Judiciary Committee on Monday and head to the floor on the sessions’s final day, right?

Well, maybe not. Judiciary Committee Chairman Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, said at the very end of the hearing there were “some issues” to be worked out “behind the scenes” on the bill.

Really? Like what? It’s got bipartisan support as well as backing from the industry it seeks to regulate. Who’s left to say no?

The bill was almost made moot earlier in the session, after the foreclosure mediation program narrowly escaped death at the hands of lawmakers who wanted to use its funds elsewhere. But since that program was saved from death, at least for the next two years, it would be a shame to see this widely supported bill die in committee.

C’mon, Chairman Hansen. Do the right thing on Monday.

The tax bill moves! The endgame is nigh!

UPDATE (May 28, 8:20 p.m.): It wasn’t on an agenda. It wasn’t announced publicly. But the Assembly Ways & Means Committee nonetheless took up Assembly Bill 464, the bill that contains the governor’s Nevada Revenue Plan. Comments on the bill were brief, and some indicated that amendments to the bill were possible. But in the end, on a motion by Speaker John Hambrick, R-Las Vegas, seconded by Assemblyman Pat Hickey, R-Reno, the bill passed the committee 11-4, with Assembly members Chris Edwards, R-Las Vegas, Derek Armstrong, R-Henderson, Jill Dickman, R-Sparks and Dr. Robin Titus, R-Wellington, voting no.

But make no mistake: This is by no means the end of the process, but the beginning. Assemblyman Randy Kirner, R-Reno, said he still has concerns about the commerce tax portion of the bill, but wanted to move the debate along. Other members hinted that the bill could be subject to amendments on the Assembly floor. Tax maven Carole Vilardo said she had some ideas for fixing various problems in the bill, and wanted to know when (or if!) she’d have the opportunity to do so.

We’ve miles to go before we sleep, Nevada.

In which I agree with … Ira Hansen?

UDPATE (May 28, 8:05 p.m.): Things got a little tense on the Assembly floor today, as Majority Leader Paul Anderson, R-Las Vegas, called Assemblyman Brent Jones, R-Las Vegas, to order after Jones criticized Anderson over a bill. When Jones was called to order a second time, later in the proceedings, Assemblyman Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, jumped up in Jones’s defense. The Assembly is supposed to debate issues on the floor, Hansen said. That’s why the public and the press attend floor sessions — to watch lawmakers explain their votes on various bills and issues. That debate shouldn’t be truncated by points of order or motions to call the previous question (which cut off debate).

Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, spoke up to agree with Hansen, but noted that she’d been prevented from speaking on a previous bill by a question-calling motion. If everybody got to speak, she’d be fine with that. And then she did, about the Breakfast After the Bell program, which provides meals to poor kids in school. That bill passed by a vote of 28-14.

The real action came after the floor session, however, in which the Assembly Legislative Operations & Elections Committee resurrected Senate Bill 421, the bill calling for a presidential primary election in February. Although the bill failed on Wednesday, two committee members — Shelly Shelton and John Moore, both R-Las Vegas — changed their votes. The bill now goes to the Assembly floor.

Now, it would be unbelievably obscene for any Republican to balk at the costs of feeding hungry school kids but then turn around and use state funds to pay for a political primary election that benefits the Republican Party, right? Nobody would do that, right? Right??!!

UPDATE (May 28, 10:45 a.m.): Should local governments in Nevada be able to file for bankruptcy? That’s the intent behind Senate Bill 475, which was heard this morning in the Assembly’s Government Affairs Committee. State taxation officials said the option would be a last resort, requiring a determination that a local government was in a severe financial emergency, that things wouldn’t improve within three years and requiring the sign-off of the governor before a filing could be made.

But opponents included the bond insurers, Nevada Association of Counties, Clark County and tax maven Carole Vilardo, all of whom said insurance rates on bonds for every Nevada local government would increase if they had the ability to discharge debts in bankruptcy. Democrats on the committee had the most questions (the bill passed the state Senate on a party-line vote, in large part because Democrats fear local governments using bankruptcy to abrogate their union contracts). The bill faces a vote in the committee before it can go to the Assembly floor.

Oh, BTW: The only local government that is strongly in favor of the law is financially troubled North Las Vegas. But Democrats suggested that reforms made in a previous measure (Senate Bill 54) are sufficient to deal with financial problems faced by Nevada cities or counties.

Latin Chamber backs governor’s tax plan — for real

UPDATE (May 27, 5:35 p.m.): The Latin Chamber of Commerce today voted to endorse, without conditions, Gov. Brian Sandoval’s Nevada Revenue Plan, saying the tax will have a minimal impact on its members and provide stability to future state revenue.

Here’s the group’s statement on the subject in full:

The Latin Chamber continues to stand by its previous statement in support of increasing revenues that will pave the way for required investment in the state’s PreK-12 educational system, as outlined by Governor Sandoval. It is clear that strategic and accountable investments in education and Nevada’s future economic vitality are inextricably linked. The Latin Chamber of Commerce fully supports Governor Sandoval’s Nevada Revenue Plan. The bill’s provisions contain several distinct revenue streams that continue to be broad based, thereby mitigating the overall impact on the membership the Chamber represents and creating stability in future sources of revenue.

For decades, the Chamber’s mission has driven our efforts to support and grow businesses. The Chamber recognizes and values the symbiotic relationship of economic growth and a strong educational system. For this reason, the Latin Chamber engages in advocacy and support of educational programs and initiatives that support the diverse communities of Nevada. With the support of our friends in the community, the Latin Chamber conducts professional leadership development courses and business development courses. The Chamber also coordinates Latino Youth Leadership programs and awards scholarships that elevate our workforce and energize the state’s economic strength and diversification. We are now faced with an opportunity to positively impact our educational system and the hundreds of thousands of elementary and high school students enrolled in our school districts that need the benefit of additional revenues and resources. It is time to act.

The Latin Chamber urges state legislators to support AB464, with amendment 7519. Any subsequent changes should continue to be broad based in nature, while carefully balancing the critical needs of education and any impacts to the business community.

The Latin Chamber commends Governor Sandoval and the state Legislature for their courage and leadership during these important policy discussions.

The statement says the chamber’s board voted on the resolution of support today. Interestingly, the Latin Chamber board includes unlikely tax supporter George Harris, a former Republican Party official-turned-restauranteur. It also includes Daniel Johnson of Station Casinos and Edgar Patino of NV Energy. (The Nevada Resort Association, which includes Station Casinos, and NV Energy testified Monday in support of the Nevada Revenue Plan.)

The Latin Chamber’s stance stands in stark contrast to their opposite numbers at the Las Vegas Metro Chamber of Commerce, which testified in conditional support of the plan Monday, astonishing and angering lawmakers and lobbyists throughout the capital complex.

UPDATE (May 27, 4:30 p.m.): Two important bills got state Senate approval today, and now head to the Assembly. Senate Bill 508, the first modification of the state’s school-funding plan since 1967, was approved with only state Sen. Mo Denis, D-Las Vegas, voting no. The bill would establish school funding based on average daily attendance, rather than the number of students who show up on a specific “count day,” and also give more funds to schools that educate students who are in poverty, who need ELL classes or those who are in special education programs. Denis said on the Senate floor he voted no because recommendations made by an interim education committee weren’t included in the bill.

And state Sen. Becky Harris’ Senate Bill 321, a bill that would allow struggling homeowners who are certified to be at risk of default to request loan modification before they’re foreclosed upon by a bank. The bill was almost made moot, since funding was cut from the foreclosure mediation program. But those funds were restored after Assemblywoman Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas, made the case with her colleagues on the Legislature’s money committees, paving the way for Harris’ bill to proceed.

UPDATE (May 27, 3:30 p.m.): Fail! That’s what happened to the presidential preference primary bill in the Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections Committee today. The bill was opposed by all the committee’s Democrats and Republicans Shelly Shelton and John Moore, both R-Las Vegas, for a final tally of four in favor, six against. Unless the bill is resurrected or appears in amendment form elsewhere, it looks like Nevada is sticking with the caucus system.

UPDATE (May 27, 1:50 p.m.)

Taking the initiative

On Tuesday, a bill sponsored by the Senate Legislative Operations Committee died an ignominious death in the parallel committee in the Assembly. Senate Bill 434 would have re-written the procedures for initiative petitions to make it even harder than it currently is for citizens to write laws when the Legislature fails to act.

The bill drew opposition from both the left and the right, but committee Chairman Lynn Stewart, R-Henderson, took a vote anyway. The first sign of trouble was an awkward silence when he asked for a motion, finally filled by Assemblywoman Victoria Seaman, R-Las Vegas. When no one seconded the motion, Stewart did so himself. But when the votes were counted, there were more nays than ayes. (Assemblywoman Michele Fiore, R-Las Vegas, voted with Democrats opposed to the bill.)

It’s a small victory for regular people who want to keep the right to propose laws and constitutional amendments. And in the crush of the final week, small victories are probably all we have the right to expect.

The Sebelius Amendment

Seriously, the Legislature listened to me? Well, probably not, but the latest version of Senate Bill 421 looks suspiciously like an ideal bill that I described in a column last month. The bill would change the Nevada presidential caucus (in which voters get together in groups and hash out which candidate they support) to a primary election. But instead of moving the entire primary (the presidential race and all state and local offices) into February, it would create a special election in February for the presidential contest and leave all other races until June.

If we’re going to go to a primary, that’s the way to do it.

I hear, however, that there’s some significant opposition to the bill, perhaps enough to kill it outright. Conservative Republicans like the caucus because they’re pretty good at organizing for their preferred candidates. Democrats like the caucus because conservative Republicans are pretty good at organizing for their preferred candidates. (Just kidding; Democrats also like the caucus because they have become very effective at using it as an organizing tool.) And there’s concern that switching from a caucus to a primary could cost Nevada it’s early place on the presidential nominating calendar.

The bill is up in the Assembly Legislative Operations and Elections Committee today. Stay tuned.

No Plan B

Everybody knows the tax issue will come down to finding votes in the Assembly Republican caucus, which is being heavily lobbied on both sides of the tax issue. But the high-wire act is being performed without a net. One key lawmaker said this week that “there’s no Plan B,” when it comes to taxes. In other words, the choice is between the governor’s latest tax plan, dubbed the Nevada Revenue Plan, and a possible meltdown that will lead to an inevitable special session.

Although pessimism prevails in the legislative building, I still think the votes can be found by the final deadline on Monday. Maybe that’s just a desire to head home (although it’s much cooler here in Carson City than in Las Vegas, and there’s a lot less traffic!). But I continue to think the anti-tax caucus in the Assembly is not as large as advertised, which means the pro-tax and on-the-fence votes are there, if the lobbying is done correctly.