Legislators nearing a deal on taxes, reforms, as time gets tight

Though not all the details are in place, the broad strokes of an agreement between Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature on a package of tax hikes and public employee pension reforms are coming into focus, lawmakers say.

Changes to an existing bill on the pension reforms are being drafted, Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, said, and a vote on the taxes could come later tonight.

“There has been a lot of progress,” Horsford said, holding his thumb and forefinger an inch apart. “We’re that close. We’ve got an approach.”

The Senate is in floor session taking care of other business.

Earlier tonight, senators approved major parts of the spending plan, including education funding and public employee salaries.

Those bills now go to the Assembly.

Legislators are aiming to get the taxes and spending plans passed before 5 p.m. Friday to ensure that Gov. Jim Gibbons receives them before the three-day weekend begins.

Gibbons then has five days to make good on his veto threat and allow the Legislature to override an expected veto before the June 1 end of the legislative session.