Reid plays Trump card

U.S. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada on Thursday challenged Republicans to back up expressions of loyalty to presidential wannabe Donald Trump by voting on policies put forth by the billionaire businessman such as a ban on Muslims.

"If Republicans are afraid to bring their standard-bearer's policies up for votes, Democrats will hold Republicans accountable by seeking floor votes on Trump's policies ourselves," Reid said in a statement. "Democrats believe no one should be discriminated against because of their faith."

Reid describes such votes as "the obvious next step" to the Republican leaders' willingness to express loyalty to Trump, who will make a campaign stop Thursday afternoon at the South Point in Las Vegas.

Asked while at a Republican policy retreat to respond, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky sounded more than ready to pick up the gauntlet Reid threw down.

"It's worth noting that what's good for the goose is good for the gander," McConnell said on CSPAN.

Democrats, he said, should expect amendments they might not like related to the presidential campaigns of U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

McConnell also made it clear that potential tit for tat would not be his preference.

"Generally speaking, I've tried to avoid turning the Senate into a studio for the presidential campaign," he said.

"Let the presidential candidates run their race, and let's try to do the people's business."

— Jim Myers

But is it tasty?

State health officials have developed new protocols to document nutritional adequacy of food served at Nevada prisons.

Annual health inspections are conducted at state correctional facilities. Those inspections now include an additional review of nutritional adequacy taking into account an inmate's religious or medical dietary needs, as well as for sex, age and level of physical activity.

Inspectors are to ensure menus meet the needs of inmates in the infirmary or on special diets; that religious diets are available; and menus for the general population are reviewed by a licensed dietician to ensure they meet national nutritional standards.

The new procedures are in response in part to a state Supreme Court ruling in 2015 that said Nevada's health officer, Dr. Tracey Green, failed to provide required documentation on inmate meals to the Board of Prison Commissioners. During a meeting of the board last week, Gov. Brian Sandoval wanted to know more than whether the food served to prisoners is nutritious.

"Do you taste it? Does it taste good?" he asked.

Vincent Valiente said he is prohibited as an inspector from sampling the goods. But E.K. McDaniel, interim director of the Department of Corrections, said each facility has a designated person, usually a warden or assistant warden, who tastes the food.

"I'm not being flip here," the governor added. "But it could be the most nutritional food ever, but if it doesn't taste good …"

According to McDaniel, the dinner menu for inmates that night included chili-mac, salad with dressing, mixed vegetables, two rolls and spice cake for dessert.

— Sandra Chereb

Snyder skips regents race

After thinking of running for a seat on the Nevada System of Higher Education's Board of Regents, former acting UNLV President Don Snyder has decided not to join the race.

Snyder had been eyeing a seat that will be vacated by Regent James Dean Leavitt, whose term in office expires this year. Leavitt represents the system's 13th district, a stretch of land within Clark County that includes the western outskirts of the Las Vegas Valley.

"While I had given it some consideration over the past few weeks, I have decided in the past few days that I would not running," Snyder said Monday.

Regents are limited to two six-year terms. Candidates can file for a seat beginning March 7.

— Ana Ley

— Contact Sandra Chereb at schereb@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901. On Twitter: @SandraChereb
Contact Jim Myers at jmyers@reviewjournal.com or 202-783-1760. Find him on Twitter: @myers_dc
Contact Ana Ley at aley@reviewjournal.com or 702-224-5512. Find her on Twitter: @la__ley