Nevada Congressman Dean Heller has introduced a bill that would require all voter ballots to be printed in English only.
A provision to the Voting Rights Act requires cities and counties to provide bilingual ballots if 5-percent of the voting citizens speak little English. But Heller’s bill seeks to repeal that rule.
Nevada has felt the pinch of a $500 million shortfall but projections now push the Silver State’s budget deficit to around $900 million. That puts state agencies on edge as they wait to hear where the axe will fall.
Systems like the correctional facilities are saying they can’t handle any more cuts without putting safety on the line. The number crunching has been done and the cuts are going to hurt much more than first thought.
“The last several months have shown us a rather disturbing trend and it goes to show you that even the best laid plans can often go awry,” said Governor Jim Gibbons.
Gibbons says many state agencies will likely have to slash their budgets an additional 3-percent. That’s on top of the already announced 4.5-percent statewide cutbacks.
“Our state government cannot then turn to those people who are doing with less and suffering from the escalating cost of everything to reach deeper in their pocket and take more out so we don’t have to make those tough decisions,” said Gibbons.
Metro confirms that it’s looking into the purchase of high tech drones that could be tracking your moves from the sky.
While it’s not a done deal yet, the I-Team has learned the unmanned crafts are already zipping around above our heads.
Add your comments.
Harry Reid and President Bush are trying to help save people who are experiencing foreclosure issues. This new plan, Project Lifeline, may work for those of us in Nevada… or it might not. Do you think it will?
Have you ever seen or met a president of the United States? If so, what was it like? I grew up inside the beltway but it wasn’t until my brief move to New York that I saw one. I was walking down the street and saw a very elegant older woman and thought to myself, “Wow, she looks a lot like Rosalynn Carter….maybe I should look at the man she’s with. Oh wow, that’s Jimmy! Yep, it’s them.” How about you?
A few weeks ago, I blogged that attendance at the Nevada caucuses is liable to be light. I hope not. Nevada has a chance to shine in the national spotlight, and it would be wonderful to see attendance break all expectations! We have a chance to show the nation that our opinion counts, and that our views matter.
To find out where to attend a caucus of either party, check out our Nevada Votes section on lasvegasnow.com, or check the website of the Nevada political parties. Attending a caucus will be an exciting way to get involved with your community.
ARE YOU GOING? IS IT YOUR FIRST TIME?
POSTED BY PAULA FRANCIS
Nevada’s budget is bleeding red ink. Late Friday afternoon, Governor Jim Gibbons announced that the deficit is getting bigger.
The budget hole now sits at $440 million. It’s growing because of falling tax revenue.
The governor has said certain areas of state government, including education, will not face cuts. But Friday, Gibbons changed his course. He now says more parts of the state budget will see cuts, including lower education.
Add your comments to LasVegasNOW blogs.
Some say it will be the most historic event governing the use of the Colorado River since 1922. Thursday, the Secretary of the Interior will be in Las Vegas to sign a plan which outlines what will happen to the river’s water if drought conditions worsen.
It been 85 years since the law that governs the river was adopted. In water circles, it is called the “law of the river.” Back then — the west was a far different place.
Senator Hillary Clinton made two speeches in Las Vegas in October. One, at a senior center, about her health care plan, the other at the Springs Preserve, which was more question-and-answer.
Both crowds were enthusiastic and you could assume that many of the attendees want to vote for Mrs. Clinton in Nevada’s primary. Trouble is, Nevada doesn’t have a primary.
We hold caucuses, a strange and arguably outdated way for political parties to argue out who to nominate. It’s designed for the kind of person who is much, much more involved in politics than the vast majority of voters.
Many people don’t even feel comfortable about attending them, because they don’t want their preference to be a matter of public record. I can hear analysts telling me I’m naive, and that these caucuses are good because it SHOULD be only the most informed party faithful who make the choice.
What do you think?
Posted by Paula Francis
(my interview with Senator Clinton can be seen in its entirety on lasvegasnow.com)
Lawmakers in Washington have reached an agreement on immigration. They have a new plan to grant quick legal status to millions of people, but with big conditions attached.
The key breakthrough came when negotiators struck a bargain on a "point system" that would for the first time prioritize immigrants’ education and skill level over family connections in deciding how to award green cards.
The proposal would allow illegal immigrants to come forward and obtain a "Z visa." The illegal immigrants would then pay fees and a $5,000 but would be on track for permanent residency.
Another stipulation is that illegal immigrants who are heads of household would have to return to their home countries and then apply for probationary cards. They would begin the path to permanent residency after border security improvements and a high-tech worker identification program were completed.
It’s a complicated agreement but lawmakers on both sides are hopeful. Are you? Do you agree with the stipulations? Share your thoughts, concerns and reactions on the IMMIGRATION BLOG: