David McGrath Schwartz

Reporter

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Recent Stories (view all stories)

Mining’s boom does little for Nevada’s bottom line: Alaska shows how state can plan for time when resources are tapped out; Sunday, Sept. 7, 2008; Sarah Palin is the new star of the Republican Party, embraced not only by social conservatives but also by the anti-tax advocates who dominate in Nevada. Yet the Alaska governor and Republican vice presidential nominee did something no Nevada Republican — and hardly any Nevada Democrat — is willing to even propose: She raised business taxes. Last year, Palin backed a massive tax increase on oil production that has left Alaska flush with a $5 billion-to-$9 billion budget surplus.
High court knocks three questions off November ballot: Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008; Three ballot initiatives backed by Las Vegas Sands Corp. Chairman Sheldon Adelson will not be on November's ballot, as the Nevada Supreme Court ruled today that signature gatherers' affidavits failed to follow state law.
Overheard: An old Carson City hand: Thursday, Sept. 4, 2008; An old Carson City hand talking to a senior member of Gov. Jim Gibbons’ staff.
Gaming down? Sure. Drinking? Not so fast: Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2008; Sales taxes fell to levels not seen since 2006. The gaming tax is down 6 percent. Tax from property sales was down 29 percent. But there was a glimmer in the numbers released last week — the olive in the Silver State’s martini.
Gibbons appointments rile sportsmen’s establishment: New panel members align with group seen as radical; Sunday, Aug. 31, 2008; Of all the adventurous appointments Gov. Jim Gibbons has made, his recent remaking of the Wildlife Commission might be the most politically damaging and have the most enduring effect on land-use policy in Nevada, according to observers.
Gibbons finally answers Rogers’ memos: Governor cites six-figure salaries in demand for higher education cuts; Monday, Aug. 25, 2008; After months on the business end of higher education Chancellor Jim Rogers’ scathing memos, Gov. Jim Gibbons’ administration finally hit back last week, signaling a more aggressive effort to defend and promote the governor’s position in the run-up to the 2009 legislative session.
Cuts aren’t the way out of the hole, Guinn says: Ex-governor says long-term financial planning must become priority for Nevada; Thursday, Aug. 21, 2008; State political leaders have spent the past year searching for ways to cut the budget. Because of the continuing economic downturn, they will likely be preoccupied with more of the same when the 2009 Legislature convenes in February.
Guess who’s hoping Gibbons runs again: It’s not the Republicans, many of whom are making a short list of alternatives; Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2008; Veteran Reno TV journalist Tad Dunbar sat across from Gov. Jim Gibbons and said this: “Several sources, three that I know of, say that the Republican National Committee has said they will not support you running for a second term.”
Where the going gets tough (in Reno), Obama gets going: Monday, Aug. 18, 2008; Sen. Barack Obama met privately with a handful of Nevada’s Democratic leaders Sunday before giving a short speech and answering questions from about 250 labor leaders and union members.
Obama highlights economy in Nevada speech: Sunday, Aug. 17, 2008; Sen. Barack Obama spoke to a crowd of 250 labor leaders and union members in Reno this morning, arguing he has the best plan for the economy and swiping at Sen. John McCain over the likely Republican nominee's economic plan.