Who’s in charge? Assembly GOP leadership facing more turmoil

By Kyle Roerink

Thursday, Dec. 11, 2014 | 7:54 a.m.

EDITOR'S NOTE: An updated to this story has been posted. View it here.

The power structure in the Assembly Republican Caucus could be shifting again.

A week after the caucus' 25 members chose new leadership for the second time since surging to control of the Assembly in the November elections, more flux appears to be forthcoming.

News reports suggested on Wednesday that Assembly Majority Leader Michele Fiore was ousted as chairwoman of the chamber's taxation committee. The news follows allegations that Fiore owes more than $1 million in federal tax liens.

Assemblyman James Oscarson said he heard "nothing official" about Fiore's spot on taxation. Assemblyman John Hambrick, who was chosen as speaker last week after speaker-elect Ira Hansen stepped down amid a racism scandal, did not comment this morning on whether Fiore was in or out as leader of the taxation committee.

He said he plans to talk to Fiore this morning and will comment afterwards.

Fiore may not be the only person whose position is in jeopardy.

Last night, she sent out an email to caucus members that signaled Hambrick's job as speaker may also be up for vote again. It would be the third selection for leadership since the Nov. 4 election.

Las Vegas reporter Jon Ralston first broke the news Monday night.

The email says that a bipartisan group is planning to meet on Dec. 22 to choose a new speaker. To vote on leadership, the Assembly needs a majority of the body's 42 members to be involved. The email said there is a potential quorum of 17 Democrats and five Republicans that could vote for a new speaker.

"I cannot emphasize enough how damaging that action would be to this entire state," she wrote.

Fiore was unavailable for comment this morning.