Nevada political roundup: Palin in Carson City

By David McGrath Schwartz

Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008 | 11:17 a.m.

Good morning early liners, from Carson City, which could soon be the epicenter of presidential politics.

Republican vice presidential candidate and Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin is hoping to excite the base with a campaign stop in Carson City on Saturday. Brian Eckhouse has a story on Nevada evangelicals and what Palin does for that base. Remember, it's a group that Sen. Barack Obama had hoped to do (at least relatively) well with.

In other news taking place up north, there's only one more chance for an initiative petition to reach the ballot, and the hearing is being held today in Virginia City.

-- Sharron Angle's property tax initiative, similar to California's Proposition 13, is being challenged by the Nevada State Education Association. The District Court judge is expected to rule from the bench today, and whatever the decision, expect an appeal to the state Supreme Court.

-- Ralston has Chancellor Jim Rogers' latest protestation about budget cuts, with bipartisan legislative backing and support from the business community.

-- In D.C., Lisa Mascaro points out that the Yucca Mountain application accepted by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission "came with an asterisk" by asking for more studies on water.

-- The Greater Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce releases a study on public employee pensions, arguing they're the "Rolls Royce" of benefits. Watch for this to be a major sticking battle during the next legislative session.