Former Angle spokesman back in action

Former Sharron Angle spokesman Jerry Stacy is back near the center of the political action in Nevada, only not so much in the glare of the spotlight.

Stacy was the spokesman for the U.S. Senate campaign of Republican Sharron Angle, who lost to incumbent Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., in the nation's most closely watched campaign of 2010.

At times in the campaign, particularly shortly after Angle won the nomination in June, the media bombardment was overwhelming and compounded by constant attacks from Reid's aggressive, efficient press team. Much of the attention was due to Angle's status as a hard core conservative outsider seeking to shakeup the status quo.

Now Stacy is working in a quiet office on the second floor of the legislative building as a secretary for newly-elected Sen. Don Gustavson, R-Sparks.

Although the setting is calmer than the campaign firestorm, it will still be plenty of work. The Legislature is seeking to balance a general fund budget that is anywhere from $1 billion to $3 billion upside down for the 2011-13 biennium.

Republicans like Gustavson want to balance the budget without raising any taxes, something Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval has pledged to do. Some Democrats have said the state should at least consider tax increases.

Resolving differences will mean lots of long hours for legislators and their staffers.

"The hours are fast around here," said Stacy. "Eight hours is a half a days work and there is a lot of work to do."

He said there hasn't been much communication with Angle since she lost the election.

When asked when the last time they spoke was he responded: "It has been quite awhile."