For the record, Sandoval unhappy with new transcriber

Gov. Brian Sandoval is not happy with a new vendor that provides transcription services for some state proceedings.

While presiding over the state Board of Examiners on Tuesday, he postponed acceptance of the minutes from last month's meeting, complaining that they were fraught with "many, many errors" that were too numerous to count.

In some cases, he said, the errors "completely changed the context of the minutes."

It was the second time in two days that Sandoval, a former federal judge and a stickler for accuracy, wouldn't accept minutes of a meeting, a procedure typically done as a matter of course without much discussion.

On Aug. 10, he delayed voting on the July minutes of a Nevada Transportation Board meeting until corrections were made.

Sandoval on Tuesday complained to State Purchasing Administrator Greg Smith.

"The first two meetings that I've chaired, yesterday and today, both of the minutes, as I said I lost count on the number of errors and misspellings, words that were inserted, excluded," Sandoval said. "Some of them were pretty meaningful in terms of the changes, completely changed the context of the minutes."

Minutes are the official record of meetings and are often cited in news reports, research and litigation. Accuracy is crucial.

"I like the way we did it the old way," Sandoval said.

Smith, who attended the Board of Examiners meeting via videoconferencing in Las Vegas, said he was unaware of the problem until the governor noted them.

"Governor, this is the first I've heard we were having problems with this," he said, promising to look into it.

Later in the week, a spokeswoman for the Department of Administration said the previous contractor didn't submit a bid proposal for renewal. Always on Time in Las Vegas, the agency that handled the meetings, was one of three transcription providers covered under a four-year master service agreement, not to exceed $200,000 for each vendor.

Administration spokeswoman Mary Woods said the department notified the company of the concerns. She said the department will work with the vendor to become familiar with the various boards and members and to eliminate errors.

— Sandra Chereb

Harry and the Donald: BFFs

Donald Trump has a new superfan: Harry Reid.

That's right. Reid, the Democratic Senate minority leader, thinks politics needs more people like Trump, the Republican (?) real estate mogul turned reality show host turned presidential candidate.

Reid's comments came during a visit last week with editors and reporters at the Review-Journal's Las Vegas offices.

Asked what he thought of Trump's popularity with some Republicans, Reid said: "I think Donald Trump speaks for the Republican Party."

As some people chuckled, he said, "No, I don't mean that to be funny. I'm just telling you the truth. You don't see many other Republicans attacking him, do you, that are running for president? They're afraid to. Because he has hit a nerve of how people are fed up with people who don't take positions on anything.

"And like or dislike Donald Trump, but you'll have to admit he speaks his mind. I believe we need more people like him speaking their mind than the wishy-washy stuff we hear from so many people."

Surprised? Well, it seems the blunt senator, who's retiring after this term ends, has found a kindred spirit.

"One thing about me, I've been told, is people never have to guess where I stand on an issue," Reid said. "I think we need more people who say stuff."

— Eric Hartley

Kihuen reels in union nods

Trying to break away from the crowd of Democrats running for Congress in the district that includes North Las Vegas and six counties in central Nevada, Ruben Kihuen last week rolled out endorsements from a half-dozen organized labor units.

Kihuen, a Las Vegas state senator, announced support from Ironworkers Local 433, Laborers Local 872, Teamsters Locals 14, 631 and 986, and IATSE Local 720, which represents theatrical stage employees.

Kihuen's campaign said the unions have more than 23,000 members, which could be of help on the ground as he competes against three other Democrats in the 4th Congressional District primary. The incumbent is Republican Rep. Cresent Hardy.

Former Assembly Speaker John Oceguera, former Assemblywoman Lucy Flores and Las Vegas philanthropist Susie Lee also are running.

Culinary Local 226, the largest union in the state with about 55,000 members, has yet to endorse in the race.

Also yet to declare is party godfather U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, who has backed Kihuen behind the scenes in previous races and has praised him before audiences but stopped just short of saying the words, "I endorse."

— Steve Tetreault

Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901. Find her on Twitter: @SandraChereb Contact Eric Hartley at ehartley@reviewjournal.com or 702-550-9229. Find him on Twitter: @ethartley Contact Review-Journal Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@reviewjournal.com or 202-783-1760. Find him on Twitter: @STetreaultDC