The Nevada State Legislature is now a month and a half into the session, and after several skirmishes, lawmakers are set to tackle the biggest issue: Gov. Brian Sandoval’s budget proposal.
Las Vegas Review-Journal columnist Steve Sebelius told KNPR’s State of Nevada the governor himself will present his bill that would change the business license fees in the hearing next week, which is an unusual move.
“To present this bill himself is really putting his clout on the line. His personal prestige on the line,” Sebelius said.
Sebelius said the Senate is being directed to attend the hearing and the Assembly leadership is expected to direct that body to attend as well.
Sebelius really doesn’t consider the Nevada Blueprint released earlier this week by Democrats as a counterpoint to the governor’s proposal.
“I would hesitate to put those even in the same ballpark,” Sebelius said.
He said the Blueprint is more of a series of principals rather than a fully developed plan.
“The governor’s plan is the best most viable plan,” the columnist said.
The power of the Democrats is really diminished in Carson City this session, according to Sebelius.
“They have no control. I think realizing that would be the first step to dealing with the problem,” Sebelius said.
The Democrats are still needed to pass the governor’s plan because it needs two-thirds of a majority, but they have no leverage beyond that, Sebelius pointed out.
Other bills getting some buzz include a bill which would give strict scrutiny to any law that burdens a person’s religious belief.
“This bill would allow people to assert a religious defense, if they don’t want to comply with certain laws and it gives them a very broad statutory base to do that,” Sebelius said.
Also State Sen. Joe Hardy, R-Boulder City is proposing removing the minimum wage mandate from the state constitution and give the power to change the minimum wage to legislators.
But because it would be a change to the constitution not to a statute, Sebelius believe it will be difficult to get that done.
GUEST:
Steve Sebelius, columnist, Las Vegas Review-Journal
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Steve Sebelius, columnist, Las Vegas Review-Journal
