PLANews
Some Happy News on Valentine's Day
02/14/2012 -- Domestic Partnerships in Nevada are going strong, they have a higher success rate than marriage. Maybe its time to revisit our consitutional ban on marriage? Check out the Las Vegas Sun's Valentine's Day story HERE.
AG Settlement a Down Payment on Justice
02/09/2012 -- Here's a statement on the foreclosure settlement that includes some facts. Curcial to the success of this settlement is public education. We've seen a lot of people argue over what's not even in the statement, click HERE to find out what it actually does.
Howard Watts III on The Agenda with Hugh Jackson
01/19/2012 -- PLAN organizer sat down with Hugh Jackson, aka the Gleaner, on The Agenda to talk about voter suppression. Interview starts at 11:17, watch it online HERE.
Bob Fulkerson has a chat with Tim Crowley on KNPR
01/19/2012 -- PLAN executive director Bob Fulkerson was interviewed on KNPR (Las Vegas' NPR station) 'State of Nevada' with Nevada Mining Association President Tim Crowley. Listen to the audio HERE.
PLAN to Vice President Biden: Investigate these banks!
01/19/2012 -- Vice President Joe Biden arrived at Galena High School in Reno, NV and was greeted by a group of PLAN activists demanding the Obama Administration do everything in their power to investigate the Wall Street banks who wrecked our economy, one lousy mortgage at a time. The Reno Gazette Journal has the story HERE
Progressive Radio is Coming to Nevada!
01/05/2012 -- The FCC has granted PLAN a broadcasting license. Reno News and Review has the story on PLAN radio HERE.
Nevadans for a Fair Settlement
12/20/2011 -- PLAN field director Howard Watts III was on Face to Face to talk about the 50 State Settlement and the foreclosure crisis in Nevada. Watch the interview HERE.
New NV Mining Oversight, Accountability panel holds first meeting
12/20/2011 -- The Mining Oversight and Accountability Committee (MOAC) held its first meeting Tuesday and PLAN showed up in Las Vegas and helped pack the house in Carson City. We also have to give recognition to Occupy Carson City, Reno and Las Vegas and Clark County educators for attending the hearing and providing strong public testimony in favor of fair mining practices.
Here are reports from several media outlets:
Greed dashed the hope for upward mobility
RENO -- Our state director Bob Fulkerson has been back from his sabbatical for less than a week and is already mixing things up by providing some real talk on economic inequality in Nevada. Check out this opinion piece that appeared in the Reno Gazette Journal Sunday, the 50+ responses are a good read too. Read the opinion piece HERE.
Trip to Brasil raises concerns about lobbyists' access
RENO -- A week after PLAN's Jan Gilbert and State Senator Shelia Leslie were quoted in the Las Vegas Review Journal on the issue of lobbyists and their influence when the legislature is not in session, the Las Vegas Sun reports that Assemblyman Marcus Conklin took an all-expenses-paid trip to Brasil thanks to the Council on State Governments. Who else was on this trip with him? Lobbyists from the mining industry. Did they wine and or dine Assemblyman Conklin? We'll never know, because there is no requirement fo the information to be reported. We'll just have to take their word for it. Read the article HERE.
No vote on transparency bill lets lobbyists keep paying tab
CARSON CITY -- Four 120 day every other year our state legislature meets in Carson City. During that time lobbyists and lawmakers have to play by a lot of rules, disclosing meetings, meals bought and drinks shared. Buy every other day outside of the legislature, it's a freebie free for all. Lobbyists can pay for meals, drinks trips for legislatures without having to report these encounters. Our friends at the Nevada Mining Assosciation wine and dine lawmakers at a week long retreat in Lake Tahoe after the legislature Ended.
State Senator Shelia Leslie and PLAN's Northern Nevada Director Jan Gilbert speak with Ed Vogel of the Review Journal about "off-season" lobbying. Read the article HERE.
Anheuser-Busch Urged To Drop Sponsorship of Homophobic 'Ultimate Fighting Championship' (UFC)
LAS VEGAS -- Human rights activist Cleve Jones of Unite HERE, Stonewall Democratic Club of Southern Nevada, Culinary Workers Union, GLSEN and PLAN have asked the beer company to reconsider their support of the UFC due to the organizations failure to address homphobic behavior by UFC president Dana White and MMA athletes. Read the letter on Towle Road HERE.
Local protestors demand jobs
LAS VEGAS -- The sidewalk outside of the Lloyd D. George Building in downtown Las Vegas--where Senators Harry Reid and Dean Heller have offices--has been pretty busy latey. Weekly protests decrying corporate greed, lack of jobs and the assaults on medicare and social security. Fox 5 News in Las Vegas has a quick write up of a protest that went down on October 13th. MSNBC has a more in-depth piece HERE.
Setting the Record ...er, Straight
LAS VEGAS -- PLAN's southern Nevada director Michael Ginsburg and his partner Tod Story provide this educational article on Nevada's domestic partnership law featured in QVegas magazine. Check it out HERE. Flip to page 36.
Nevada leaders largely silent on pipeline controversy
RENO -- People from all over Nevada and even Utah have spoken up about Southern Nevada Water Authority's pipeline project. According to the Las Vegas Sun's David McGrath Schwartz Nevada's elected officials "have for years been largely silent" on the project. PLAN's southern Nevada director, Michael Ginsburg points out that Clark County politicians public opinions have changed over the years. Read his piece HERE.
Consumer letter on insurance reform roll backs
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- PLAN signed onto a letter to express serious concerns with legislation that would repeal the medial loss ratio provision of the Affordable Care Act and would prohibit important consumer insurance protections. Read the letter HERE (pdf).
Dozens testify at Southern Nevada water hearing
CARSON CITY -- The Southern Nevada Water Authority has faced opposition to their proposed water pipeline project from all over the state of Nevada and even Utah. Geoff Dornan of The Record-Courier takes a look at testimony represent all different sides of the issues. Article is HERE.
Coalition forming to defeat anti-choice initiative
RENO -- Once again, anti-choice groups are over-reaching. On their fanatical quest to control every uterus in America, they've proposed an initiative that will, according to PLAN's northern Nevada coordinator Jan Gilbert, threaten "the legality of oral and emergency contraception, IUDs, invitro fertiliation clinics and stem cell research." Read the This Is Reno piece HERE.
Looking for water in the desert
LAS VEGAS -- The Las Vegas Sun's editorial board puts out a request for comments and letters to the editor about water issues in Southern Nevada. PLAN gets a mention in their memo. Check out the article and leave a comment HERE.
Sheriff Joe's visit spurs protest plans
CARSON CITY -- Maricopa County's (AZ) anti-immigrant sheriff Joe Arpaio slithered his way into Nevada a few weeks ago. Nevadans who value human rights were there to let Sheriff Joe and his supporters know that his draconian approach to immigration reform is not welcome in Nevada. Read the article on Free Republic HERE.
Protestors Target Big Oil
LAS VEGAS -- Jessica Ebelhar of the Las Vegas Review Journal snapped this photo. Its time for Big Oil and their lobbyists to stop manipulating politicans and start paying their fair share. Renewable, clean energy is the way forward, until we get there, we will kep holding Big Oil and their enablers accountable.
Will state engineer regard public opinion?
ELKO -- The Elko Daily Free Press editorial board looks at the Southern Nevada Water Authority's pipeline proposal and the oppositions from organizations like PLAN and our partners the Nevada Conservation League. Article is HERE.
Washoe rejects redistricting map pushed by NAACP, Progressive Leadership Alliance
WASHOE -- Our board president Theresa Navarro is working with the NAACP to create fair districts that allow minority communities to be in a position of power to elect people who will fight for them and understand their issues. Read the Reno Journal Gazette's story HERE.
Single Moms in Nevada Organize and Educate around the Affordable Care Act
RENO-- PLAN organizer Elvira Diaz is featured in Families USA's news letter for being a health care advocacy leader!
Kalamzoo College Community Seeks to Increasingly Discuss Race
KALAMAZOO -- Our state director Bob Fulkerson is on sabbatical as an Arcus Center Fellow. Check out this article from The Index higlighting some of the work he's been doing
Jumping Through Legal Hoops--Backwards
RENO-- Same-sex couples increased by 44 percent in Nevada from 200 to 2010, revised U.S. Census Bureau figures show.
Read the RGJ story of PLAN's Joe Edson and his husband Mike and the mental gymnastics performed to gain some basic rights.
Who will win: Big Oil or grandma?
RENO -- Our friends over at ProgressNow Nevada unvieled a billboard this week in Reno urging our elected officials in Washington to stop spoiling Big Oil corporations with extravagent tax subsidies. When they're raking in billions of dollars in PROFIT, its clear that they don't need them.
Check out the story and a picture of the awesome billboard from the Sparks Tribune HERE
Don't Pack 'Em, Don't Crack 'Em: Washoe County School Board redistricting plans catch the attention of PLAN
RENO -- Check out this article from Reno News & Review. Every ten years our elected officials try to come together to redrawn district lines. It's not supposed to be partisan, but when your seat is at stake, things can get desperate and there is a tendency to want to pick and chose groups of voters to add or subtract. Its good to have the public, and yes even PLAN, and these redistricting meetings to hold people accountable.
Read the full article by clicking HERE
Congratulations to Our Friends at The TaskForce and Equality Nevada on a Successful TransLeadership Academy Training in Los Angeles
This year, Academy Director and honorary Nevadan Trystan Reese from the NGLTF is joined by Jane Heenan from PLAN's newest member group Equaltiy Nevada, and Octavia Hamlett. If you want to apply for next year's Academy, go to the website and learn how to apply.
Visit Transleadership Academy and get involved!
Water Wars
SPARKS – Dozens of Washoe County residents turned out at Sparks High School Thursday during the last of nine Bureau of Land Management (BLM) open house sessions to protest a proposed pipeline that would ship water from rural northeastern Nevada to Las Vegas, citing the loss of environmental, economic and cultural resources.
BLM to Analyze Water Pipeline Cost After Public Opposition to Project
SPARKS — The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) now plans to consider not only the environmental impact but also the economic viability of Southern Nevada Water Authority’s (SNWA) multi-billion dollar plan to pump water from central Nevada into Las Vegas.
August 19, 2011 Read the story by Anne Knowles here
Immigration Decision Attacked
After years of seeking the cooperation of states for a controversial immigration program, the Obama administration has cut the states loose and gone it alone.
August 18, 2011 Read the story by Dennis Myers here
Nevada Groups Criticize U.S. Immigration Agency on 'Secure Communities Decision
CARSON CITY – A Nevada activist group is criticizing a decision by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to terminate all of its agreements with states regarding the operation of its “Secure Communities” program.
August 11, 2001 Read the Nevada News Bureau story here
The Continuing Rise in the Price of Gold
PLAN's Michael Ginsburg discusses (and debates) the Net Proceeds on Minerals tax in the face of record-high gold prices.
August 10, 2011 Listen to KNPR's State of Nevada here.
Steve Sebelius: Gold Mining and Lack of Tax Revenues
August 8, 2011
LAS VEGAS -- According to corporate reports reviewed by the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, Barrick Goldstrike in 2010 saw sales of $10.9 billion in 2010, and net income (after expenses) of $3.3 billion. It produced a dividend of $436 million for shareholders.
Newmont Mining saw sales of $9.5 billion in 2010, with net income of $3.1 billion and a dividend to shareholders of $708 million. See the I-Team's complete report here.
Nevada Gay Households Up by 87 Percent in 2010
August 8, 2011
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The number of same-sex couples sharing a home in Nevada nearly doubled from 2000 to 2010, revealing a budding constituency in a state where voters have banned gay marriage, but embraced domestic partnerships. Read the complete story here.
Jan Gilbert of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, one of the most active advocacy groups in the state, said Sandoval will not do well in the organization's upcoming report card.
When Gov. Brian Sandoval popped up in Iraq and Afghanistan last week for a visit with troops, he made Nevada headlines and newscasts, conducting long-distance interviews from the war zones. Read the RJ story here.
Coalition may coalesce to do something lawmaker wouldn't- address taxes
August 7, 2011
Business and labor leaders are talking about forming a pro-tax coalition, saying they are frustrated by lawmakers’ inability to change the state’s revenue structure during its biennial 120-day effort at policymaking.
Nevada Resort Association lobbyist and Democratic power broker Billy Vassiliadis said “some semblance of a broad coalition” will come together in the next 60 days. Its goals will “depend on what the broadest number of people want to do. Poll after poll show the public doesn’t want to see more cuts in education,” he said. The coalition will have to figure out what people will support. Read the Sun article here.
Tax initiative taking place
Work goes on in preparing a tax ballot question for the 2012 general election.
June 12, 2011. Read story here.
Bill for Brianna's law in Nevada fails to win approval
Bill which would authorize police to take DNA samples for those who are arrested for a felony, died in committee late Monday during the final day of the 2011 session of the Nevada Legislature.
June 6, 2011. Read the Reno Gazette-Journal story here.
Mining taxation still unresolved as Legislature heads for adjournment
A deal struck between Senate Democrats and Nevada mining companies regarding net proceeds of minerals deductions came unraveled late Sunday in favor of a new compromise with fewer deductions.
June 6, 2011. Read the Mineweb story here.
Mining industry seeks deal to keep deductions
Deal negotiated with lawmakers to make a one-time payment.
June 4, 2011. Read the Review-Journal story here.
Luis Guiterrez Town Hall Meeting in Reno to stop deportations
The PLAN-sponsored event was attended by 150+.
May 26, 2011. Watch the FOX TV report here.
Court ruling crafts new political realities for Sandoval
A State Supreme Court ruling has the Republican re-thinking his no-tax-hike pledge.
May 28, 2011. Read the Review-Journal story here.
Lawmakers chip into bedrock
Mining targeting in the 2011 Legislative session.
June 8, 2011. Read the Elko Daily Free Press story here.
Nevada Legislature moves to eliminate mining industry tax limits
PLAN-backed reform gets boost in Nevada Senate.
May 30, 2011. Read the Mineweb story here.
PLAN protests United HealthCare's anti-health care agenda at shareholders' meeting
Which was conveniently held in Las Vegas. Despite the protest, the company has tried to quash media coverage of its shareholder revolt.
May 25, 2011. Read the Health Care for America Now blog post here.
Task Force director salutes PLAN for anti-discrimination work
Web blog The Bilerico Project tips hat to PLAN's legislative work on behalf of transgender men and women.
May 24, 2011. Read The Bilerico Project post here.
Governor must move beyond budget gimmicks
So says PLAN lobbyist Jan Gilbert, joining a chorus of people saying a broader base is necessary to fund state and local government.
May 28, 2011. Read the Review-Journal story here.
PLAN pledges initiative effort to build sustainable revenue
...if the Legislature fails to reform the increasingly creaky mechanisms of funding state and local government.
May 27, 2011. Read the Reno Gazette-Journal story here.
Gutierrez stumps for immigration reform at Reno town hall
KTVN-2 in Reno tops its Friday night local news with the visit of Rep. Luis Gutierrez, who spoke for reform of the nation's dysfunctional immigration system. PLAN's Mario DelaRosa is interviewed and PLAN Director Bob Fulkerson makes a cameo appearance.
May 27, 2011. Watch the video here.
Illinois congressman makes pitch for immigration reform in Reno
Rep. Luis Gutierrez scheduled to speak at PLAN event May 27 in Reno.
May 26, 2011. Read the Hispanically Speaking report here.
PLAN and allies push for last chance to preserve public safety, education, vital services
Progressive groups work to blunt the full impact of Gov. Sandoval's promised cuts to public services.
May 26, 2011. Read the Associated Press story via The Republic here.
Transgender women and men look to law for relief from discrimination
PLAN's study on the overwhelming prevalence of discrimination in the workplace cited in this 8 News Now report.
May 23, 2011. Read the Channel 8 story and watch the video here.
Can mining help Nevada balance its books?
Yes, but it will take more than just mining to correct the historic inequities and inadequacies of our state budget. Still, it's a start!
May 23, 2011. Read the Sun column by Anjeanette Damon here.
Right-winger devines PLAN plans through chicken entrails
Winger without portfolio Glenn Beck, er, Cook says PLAN blocking education reforms and considering running candidates "to the left of the Democrats," neither of which has anything at all to do with reality (and which he could have checked with a phone call, just like the grown-ups do). Ah, journalism on the right, an easy job for imaginative youngsters!
May 22, 2011. Read Cook's fantastic tales here.
Wake Up Nevada!
Our good friend Brian Fadie from ProgressNow Nevada helped put up this Tumblr site with photos, essays, and links to other media from this week's protest at Camp Sandoville for sanity in the state's revenue and budgeting process.
May 19, 2011. Check it out here!
Gay and lesbian networks note Nevada's anti-discrimination law
Out in America network spotlights PLAN and allies - specifically the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Academy for Leadership and Action - in the effort to establish strong workplace protections for transgender men and women!
May 18, 2011. Read more about it here.
Sparks Tribune covers Camp Sandoville in depth
MSNBC picks up Camp Sandoville story
The inspirational and practical multi-generational, multi-community free-speech demonstration and lobbying drive makes waves in Nevada and coast-to-coast!
May 18, 2011. Read the MSNBC story here.
PLAN and allies get approval for anti-discrimination bill!
Nevada becomes one of just 14 states ending discrimination against transgender Nevadans in the workplace.
May 18, 2011. Read Joel Wendlend's blog post here.
Gov. Sandoval makes trip to Camp Sandoville
Tries to buy off students, human service advocates with coffee and doughnuts. While the apple fritter was pretty amazing, PLAN's Bob Fulkerson says it takes action, not sweet talk and fried dough, to make a better Nevada.
May 17, 2011. Read the Las Vegas Sun story here.
Sandoval touts "recovering economy" through massive layoffs and corporate giveaways
...in meeting with students and human service providers.
May 17, 2011. Read the Review-Journal story here.
Protestors brave chilly weather at Camp Sandoville
So notes the RJ in a short video segment.
May 17, 2011. See the RJ video here.
Camp Sandoville protestors sit down with key Republican lawmakers
The focused lobbying effort - including a "sit down strike" in Senate Minority Leader Sen. McGuiness's office - wins free-spirited discussion in the hallowed halls of the Nevada Legislature.
May 17, 2011. See the Nevada News Bureau story here.
Students, lawmakers sit for discussion in Legislature
First face-to-face discussion at Camp Sandoville with conservative caucus for protestors working for a balanced budget-and-revenue package that protects vital services and education.
May 17, 2011. Read the Daily Journal story here.
Legislators join protestors at Camp Sandoville
Assemblyman David Bobzien and Senators Mo Denis and Steven Horsford brave cold temperatures to send a critical message to governor and Legislature.
May 17, 2011. See the News4 video and print story here.
Tea Party posts protest discussion
Tea Partier "Todd Taxpayer" (who someone pays to hang out at the taxpayer-financed Legislature) was so unhappy with the Camp Sandoville approach to discussions with the opposition - a polite and respectful refusal to go away - that he called it a "silent riot." Anyway, thanks to him for posting this exchange with Senate Minority Leader McGinness.
May 16, 2011. See the YouTube video here.
Protestors arrive at "Camp Sandoville" to lobby for education, vital services
Braving freezing temps and snowflakes for the critical message.
May 16, 2011. See the Associated Press story here.
Protestors ready "Camp Sandoville"
Dozens of higher-ed students are coming from Las Vegas, Reno and across the state in an effort to preserve education and vital services.
May 16, 2011. Read the Nevada Progressive blog post here.
Corporate income tax fairer, PLAN says
...compared to payroll head tax, which hits small businesses hard. Geoff Dornan with the Nevada Appeal covers PLAN proposal.
May 5, 2011. Read the Nevada Appeal story here.
PLAN plan shares ideas with Democratic proposal
Las Vegas Sun pundit Jon Ralston compares PLAN's approach to a balanced revenue solution for Nevada's budget to the Democratic Party caucus proposal unveiled a day later.
May 5, 2011. Read the column here.
Corporate profits tax would be part of revenue solution
PLAN's plan is covered nationally by the Associate Press.
May 4, 2011. Read the AP story via Forbes here.
PLAN's plan would balance revenues
The Sun's Anjeanette Damon covers the give-and-take on the PLAN tax and revenue proposals.
May 4, 2011. Read the Las Vegas Sun story here.
Bill would lead to increased participation in elections
PLAN's Jan Gilbert speaks for allowing on-line voter registration.
May 5, 2011. Read the Nevada News Bureau story here.
PLAN to balances revenue and budget in new proposal
PLAN responds to Gov. Sandoval's abdication of responsibility with a proposal that relieves working families, shifts responsibility to corporations evading taxes in Nevada now.
May 4, 2011. Read the AP story via the Daily Journal here.
"Shared sacrifice" instead of shared responsibility?
So asks PLAN Field Director Howard Watts III in response to Gov. Sandoval's unwillingness to consider Nevada's needs. Instead, the governor says multi-national corporate profits come first.
May 3, 2011. See the KLAS-Channel 8 story here.
PLAN: Sandoval's grab of school revenue "a tax in disguise"
Instead of asking his former law firm clients to pony up some of their billions in profits destined to be shipped out of Nevada, Gov. Sandoval is grabbing the revenue voters dedicated to k-12 schools.
April 27, 2011. Read the AP story here.
PLAN and allies win major civil rights victories
The coalition working for transgender civil rights brought back two critical victories from the Nevada Legislature.
April 25, 2011. Read the Review-Journal story here.
PLAN joins hundreds of others in protesting "Water Grab"
A broad coalition of groups and individuals, scientists and policy groups, conservationists, Native Americans, ranchers and others filed protests to the Southern Nevada Water Authority's multi-billion-dollar scheme to irrigate golf courses and fill artificial lakes with water mined in rural Nevada.
April 21, 2011. Read the Millard County Chronicle Progress report here.
Tax forum pits PLAN's Fulkerson against army of anti-government types
The Reno Gazette-Journal covered Republican Assemblyman Pat Hickey's tax forum.
April 19, 2011. Read the RGJ story here.
A Hard Place
Reno News & Review's Dennis Myers takes a look at the historical consequences of the mining industry's bullying of Nevada's political process: A constitutional quandry that puts all of us in a difficult spot.
April 14, 2011. Read the RN&R story here.
"Something has to change in Nevada"
ProgressNow's Erin Neff joins PLANistas Bob Fulkerson and Jan Gilbert in arguing for a broad-based corporate tax at hearings in the Legislature.
April 12, 2011. Watch the YouTube video here.
Taxing Walmart?!?! Apparently what is possible in 47 other states is a no-go in Nevada
So say Walmart's friends and the Review-Journal.
April 12, 2011. Read the Review-Journal story here.
A big-box tax would drive up Nevada consumer costs - Not.
PLAN's Bob Fulkerson notes that the cost for articles at Walmart in California, which has a 9 percent corporate profits tax, are the same for articles sold in Nevada, which could use the money.
April 12, 2011. Read the Las Vegas Sun story here.
PLAN says it's time for Walmart to step up
PLAN's Michael Ginsburg: "Nevadans are subsidizing Walmart's low prices in other states."
April 12, 2011. Watch the My News 3 clip here. (It starts at the 5:10 mark.)
PLAN: Redistricting complex, but consider communities of color
PLAN's Theresa Navarro speaks at legislative hearing on the crucial issue of redistricting.
April 5, 2011. Read the Nevada News Bureau story here.
Jan Gilbert: Where's the shared sacrifice?
Gilbert and others testify on Senate Joint Resolution which would take away constitutional protections from gold mining industry.
April 5, 2011. Read the AP story here via CBS Market Watch.
PLANistas speak at redistricting meeting
PLAN's Theresa Navarro acknowledges the difficult job legislators have in avoiding "cracking, stacking and packing" of districts in the required redistricting shuffle.
April 3, 2011. Read the Nevada News Bureau story here.
PLAN warns that a new state lottery is no silver bullet
PLAN's Launce Rake says "new" revenue for education tends to mean fewer dollars for schools from the Legislature.
March 29, 2011. Watch the KLAS Channel 8 video or read the story here.
PLAN helps bring transgender reality to Nevada Legislature
Speakers brought heartbreaking stories of discrimination and injustice to the Legislature in an effort to bring civil protections to transgender citizens.
March 25, 2011. Read the Review-Journal story here.
Concealed gun law changes spell trouble for law enforcement
PLAN's Launce Rake says responsible gun use does not include indiscriminate carrying of concealed firearms. Changing Nevada's gun laws could be particularly dangerous for law enforcement.
March 25, 2011. Read the KLAS I-Team report or watch the video here.
PLAN's Stacey Shinn speak on the importance of higher ed for Nevada
Stacey, who's doing yeo-woman's work in the Legislature with PLAN lobbyist Jan Gilbert, makes it into the pages of UNLV's Rebel Yell.
March 24, 2011. Read the full story here.
PLAN backs election-day registration
It would make it easier for busy folks to participate in the political process, explains PLAN's Jan Gilbert.
March 22, 2011. Read the AP story via the Las Vegas Sun here.
PLAN's Bob Fulkerson goes mic-to-mic with mining industry lobbyist
Mining industry: golly, sure we make billions in profits that we send to other countries while ignoring Nevada's needs. Bob: Not for long!
March 22, 2011. Listen to the KNPR State of Nevada segment here.
PLAN'S Bob Fulkerson pens guest op-ed to Review-Journal
Bob's advice: Forget the mining industry audits - it's the law that needs to be changed and the loopholes tossed!
March 21, 2011. Read the historic words of our fearless leader here!
Senator to Tax Commission: Strip loopholes now!
Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford pushes for some sanity in the tax debate. With a dynamite quote from our own lobbyist going toe-to-toe with the $1,000 suits: Jan Gilbert!
March 21, 2011. Read the Review-Journal story here.
PLAN stands with legislator taking on mining industry
PLAN's Jan Gilbert points out that the gold mining industry essentially plays Nevada taxpayers for chumps. Finally, an Assembly representative is taking on the good old boys that are busy exporting billions in non-renewable profits from our state, while paying an effective state tax rate on those profits of less than one-half of 1 percent.
March 18, 2011. Read the Review-Journal story here.
PLAN takes on insurance industry rip-offs
PLAN's Southern Nevada director, Michael Ginsburg, testifies before the Legislature, supporting a bill that would require the health insurance industry to justify huge increases in premium costs for working families.
March 18, 2011. Read the AP story here.
Sandoval pushes to slash child-care support
A move that will force parents to give up jobs to take care of children, increasing full-fledged welfare costs. Another example of Gov. Sandoval's war on the poor that will end up hurting everyone in the state - even, maybe, his billionaire buddies. Another program Sandoval has targeted is a federally funded program that provides thousands of low-income families with help covering utility bills - a life-saving measure when Southern Nevada starts baking in the summer months. Jan Gilbert, PLAN lobbyists, asks what is going to happen to those families.
March 18, 2011. Read the AP story here.
PLAN-assisted task force works for equality
That's Michael Ginsburg, PLAN's SoNev director, conducting the gay, lesbian, transgender and straight-ally orchestra.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force featured its partnership with PLAN to bolster equality legislation coming from Carson City in this session of the Legislature. Thousands of Nevada voters were contacted and gave their support for equality in employment.
March 16, 2011. Read more about it in the Task Force Blog here.
Review-Journal redefines "far left"
In an editorial that supports the auditing of the gold mining industry, which, as noted earlier, plays Nevada's taxpayers for chumps while exporting billions in profits from our public land, and for which it should be noted probably would not be audited at all except that PLAN and others keep pointing out that the industry plays us all for chumps, the far-out folks at the Review-Journal calls us "far-left agitators." It's all a matter of perspective, I suppose, but as revolutionary Bolsheviks, we're not really making the grade.
March 15, 2011. Read the Review-Journal editorial here.
Sandoval admininstration: Quick, throw someone to the wolves!
Gov. Sandoval, embarrassed when his tax director admitted that his administration didn't have the intention and perhaps the ability to audit the tax payments of the state's most profitably industry, fired the afore-mentioned tax director. Or accepted his sudden and unexpected resignation, something like that. PLAN gets noted as, oddly, the only entity in the state trying to get more money from the largely foreign-based gold mining industry that plays our state for chumps, but what isn't noted is that the problem isn't the lack of audits, but the fact that the industry, playing us for chumps, is able to wiggle out of paying hundreds of millions annually that could go to, oh, support one of the most woefully underfunded systems of education in the country.
March 11, 2011. Read the Review-Journal story here.
Sandoval administration: We trust our friends in mining!
We found out today that not only is hardrock mining, the largest polluter in the country, "self-regulating" when it comes to state environmental compliance, but hey, Sandoval's taxation director admitted to flabbergasted state legislators that no one bothers to audit the industry's tax statements. "Self-regulating" is an awesome thing for corporate shareholders! Admittedly, the industry's lobbyists have managed to ensure that the biggest money-maker in the state pays less taxes on its gold profits than, say, car rental companies kick in, so there's not a lot to audit perhaps. Still, it speaks to the cozy relationship between the industry and Gov. Sandoval, who less than two months ago worked for the industry's primary lobbying outfit. In the same story, PLAN's Bob Fulkerson points out that given the huge "discrepencies" in the industry's profit reporting to the state (for which they would theoretically owe money) and shareholders (who are greedy for profits above all else), maybe an audit is not such a bad idea.
March 10, 2011. Read the Review-Journal story here. Read the AP account via Forbes here.
Horse-trading on budget decisions will be made in secret
PLAN's Jan Gilbert, points out that advocates for the public are locked out of the same negotiations that industrial lobbyists seem to dominate.
March 10, 2011. Read the AP via NBC-News 4 story here.
Only solution: Kick public employees to the curb?
So says Gov. Slingblade Sandoval, whose T-party endorsed position is echoed by Channel 3's Matt Kozar. Channel 3 and Kozar are usually more careful to consider another perspective - beyond cutting salaries and benefits, or mass layoffs, you could ask profitable industries to contribute to the state where they make all their money. Crazy talk, I know. Fortunately, PLAN lobbyist Jan Gilbert ("another lobbyist" in the written version, rather than the more-accurate description as "Northern Nevada Valkyrie warrior for truth and justice") points out that the cuts so enthusiastically celebrated by Sandoval and Co. will hurt not only state employees - the current hate-magnets for the Glenn Beck set - but all of Nevada.
March 9, 2011. See the story and video at KVBC - News 3 Las Vegas.
Even more and better coverage of PLAN's Elvira Diaz's testimony on the hate crimes bill!
From Queerty, the professional blog "without an agenda, except that gay one."
March 8, 2011. Read the blog post here.
More coverage of PLAN's Elvira Diaz's testimony on issues affecting transgender folks
Via the Carson City Appeal, the Associated Press story.
March 8, 2011. Read the AP story here.
PLAN organizer speaks for transgender children
Elvira Diaz, a PLAN community organizer and the mother of a transgender child, says Nevada does not have room for hate crimes against transgender individuals.
March 7, 2011. Watch the YouTube video here!
PLAN lobbyists talk taxes, budgets and reason
PLAN lobbyists extraordinaire Jan Gilbert and Stacey Shinn talk to Melanie Flores about the shenanigans in Carson City. It's a listener, so you can just turn it on, lean back in your most comfortable chair, and listen to the soothing sounds of these two dulcet-voiced warriors for reason and justice 'splain what the heck's going on in the Legislature.
March 3, 2011. Listen to it here!
Reno News & Review tips hat to PLAN plan
RN&R's lead editorial notes that PLAN's very modest plan to tax services for millionaires would generate nearly $200 million annually. That's a lot of teachers.
Feb. 24, 2011. Read the full editorial here.
PLAN's Fulkerson debates mining lobbyist
PLAN's executive director took on the mining lobby during an appearance on Reno's Channel 4, Anjeanette Damon's To the Point.
Feb. 19, 2011. Watch the TV program here.
Mining takes hit from conservative State Senator
PLAN's Bob Fulkerson makes the point that we can't assume conservatives are against us as the grassroots takes on the largely foreign-based gold mining companies on their legal power to take private property and efforts to duck significant taxes.
Feb. 21, 2011. Read the full Nevada News Service story here.
Fool's gold: Mining still rips off Nevada
Jason Whited with Las Vegas CityLife points out that the mining industry has managed to pay just a half of 1 percent of its umpty-billion in profits extracted from Nevada's public lands. "Officials with the industry didn't respond to requests for comment," Whited noted. What are they going to say? The same tired old line that "mining is good for Nevada"? Not even they believe that anymore.
Feb. 17, 2011. Read the CityLife story here.
Affordable Care Act promises savings for working families, seniors
Our friends at Families USA released a report today that shows the health care reform bill, if fully in place today, would save Nevada families $250 million in out-of-pocket health care costs. As noted in the Las Vegas Review-Journal online blog The Political Eye, PLAN's Bob Fulkerson joined Sen. Harry Reid and Congresswoman Shelley Berkley to roll out the study, the latest in a string of national and statewide studies that shows the very real advantages of the reform law, both already in place and those to come.
Feb. 16, 2011. Read the RJ story here.
Mining lobbyist ducks questions
The RJ's Ben Spillman notes that lobbyist Tim Crowley, who is having a bad week, couldn't or wouldn't answer questions from a Republican lawmaker on how the mining industry is taxed. Spillman also notes that PLAN and others feel that the industry, which last year exported about $8 billion in profits, should do more to support the state that is the industry's Golden Goose.
Feb. 14, 2011. Read the RJ blog post here.
PLAN's Jan Gilbert: "Huge amounts of money are leaving the state."
The Las Vegas Sun takes a look at the first day of public discussion in Carson City. Jan Gilbert, PLAN's lobbyist, points out that the gold-mining industry pays a relative pittance on the $8 billion it took out of Nevada last year.
Feb. 8, 2011. Read the full Sun story here.
Sandoval reruns Gibbons tax plan: Requiring "advance payment" from mining instead of real reform
As this Review-Journal story notes, PLAN has backed real reform that would require the incredibly profitable gold-mining industry to contribute more to Nevada, from which it took $8 billion in profits last year. Gov. Sandoval, however, is suggesting a replay of former Gov. Jim Gibbons' switcharoo, requiring the industry to pay 2012 taxes early.
Feb. 9, 2011. Read the full RJ story here.
PLAN's Rake: Sandoval to balance budget on backs of low-income seniors
KTVN-Channel 13 Las Vegas takes a look at the upcoming legislative session. PLAN's Launce Rake notes that some Nevada industries do little to help balance the books.
Feb. 6, 2011. Watch the Channel 13 video - or read a story based on the video - here.
Governor's solution: Grab local revenue
One of Slingblade Sandoval's primary tactics to balance the state budget without bothering his billionaire buddies would be to cripple local governments' ability to fund services, and simultaneously requiring those same local governments to take over state responsibilities. It's a two-fisted attack on parks, public safety and the same social safety net the governor is trying to destroy on the state level.
Feb. 3, 2011. Read the Reno News & Review editorial here.
Nostalgia for an "Old Nevada" that never existed?
PLAN's own Bob Fulkerson scribes an essay asking if Gov. Sandoval's rhetorical demand to let Nevada be Nevada again goes back to Jim Crow? Or worse?
Feb. 3, 2011. Read the Reno News & Review essay here.
When is a tax hike not a tax hike? For governor, when it's on poor seniors
Gov. "Slingblade" Sandoval is totally against tax hikes for gold-mining corporations, Wal-Marts, and any corporation shipping huge profits out-of-state. But "no new taxes" doesn't apply to senior citizens who qualify for property tax rebates. Sandoval is jacking taxes for these economically distressed seniors by about $350 a year, generating about $11 million. Or about what the gold-mining industry ships out of Nevada every couple of days.
Feb. 2, 2011. Read the full Review-Journal story here.
PLAN supporters attend State of the State address, get pushed aside by lobbyists
Diedre Pike pens a story contrasting the aspiration of regular folks versus the monied self-confidence of the lobbyists. Hopefully, the suits won't be quite so self-satisfied at the end of the session.
Jan. 2, 2011. Read the full Reno News & Review story here.
Service providers, consumers push back against "no new taxes" guy
Dennis Myers, Reno News & Review scribe, has consistently and eloquently written for years about the state of our state, inequalities and issues of importance. He's been willing to buck journalism's ever-growing willingness to swallow whole-cloth the myths disseminate by corporate lobbyists. In today's RNR, he writes about PLAN and the Nevada Values Coalition's pushback against the Sandoval slash-and-burn "State of the State" address.
Jan. 27, 2011. Read the Reno News & Review story here.
On the budget and the future of Nevada
PLAN's Launce Rake speaks on the importance of investing in Nevada's infrastructure, educational system and families in this KNPR State of Nevada clip.
Jan. 5, 2011. Hear it here.
PLAN's quotable quotes
PLAN's Jan Gilbert evaluates Gov. Brian Sandoval's call for "shared sacrifice" - sacrifice for working Nevadans, not to be shared by foreign-owned mining corporations.
Jan. 24, 2011. Read the Las Vegas Sun story here.
Governor's blueprint for "shared sacrifice": Roll over working families
But the only ones sacrificing are teachers, the disabled and needy - not Gov. Sandoval's former(?) clients at Jones-Vergas.
Jan. 23, 2011 Read the Reno Gazette-Journal story here.
Easter Seals president fears cuts will hit disabled
PLAN, service providers and the poor and disabled will "share sacrifice." Foreign-owned gold mining corporations will smile and smile at State of the State address.
Jan. 23, 2011 Read the Las Vegas Review-Journal story here.
Dump the tax loopholes, PLAN asks gov.
Governor may dump teachers instead.
Jan. 24, 2011 Read the Nevada News Service story here.
Lots of ink on the "Real State of the State"
PLAN's Bob Fulkerson asks Gov. Brian Sandoval to listen to the working families of Nevada ... instead of the pinstripe-wearing lobbyists. "Nevada's kids deserve better."
Jan. 23, 2011 Read the CarsonNOW story here.
Buses of citizens headed to Carson City to show resolve
...and ask the Governor to stop balancing the budget on the backs of working Nevadans. How about the foreign-owned mining corporations step up for a change?
Jan. 22, 2011 Read the Review-Journal blogpost here.
Citizens prepare to fight for budget revenue
Why, the nerve! Service consumers and providers, including PLAN and educators, ask that fat cats share in Gov. Sandoval's "shared sacrifice."
Jan. 21, 2011. Read the Las Vegas Sun story here.
Gleaner spotlights PLAN's sensible-shirt wearing director
The Gleaner is Nevada's most trenchant and hilarious lefty blogger. See his take on Bob Fulkerson's respectful request that Gov. Brian Jones-Vargas-Sandoval put Nevada's families before gold-mining lobbyists.
Jan. 21, 2011. Read the Gleaner story here.
Nevada Values Coalition features PLAN director
PLAN's Bob Fulkerson speaks to Nevada's citizens and Gov. Brian Sandoval - and asks the governor to put families ahead of foreign-owned gold mining corporations.
Jan. 21, 2011. Watch the video - and let the governor know what you think! - here.
Nevada Values Coalition drops new video
The "Real State of the State" features PLAN's own Bob Fulkerson asking Gov. Brian Sandoval to do what's right, it says in the AP story via KOLO TV.
Jan. 21, 2011. Read more here.
Ralston notes new Values coalition, specific PLAN recommendations
Pundit-in-chief Jon Ralston gives PLAN and the Nevada Values Coalition a welcome tip-of-the-hat: "But unlike some of the elected folks who have been quietly criticizing Gov. Brian Sandoval’s echo of Jim Gibbons, Fulkerson has concrete ideas: eliminate mining deductions, impose a luxury services tax and pass a net profits tax."
Jan. 21, 2011. Read Ralston's Las Vegas Sun column here.
Sandoval looks to balance budget on the backs of working families
PLAN and others will push back before, during and after the governor's State of the State speech!
Jan. 21, 2011. Read the Las Vegas Sun story here.
PLAN's Bob Fulkerson fires first on budget issue
Records and posts video asking Gov. Brian Sandoval to put Nevada's families ahead of foreign-owned gold mining corporations, which use loopholes to avoid taxes.
Jan. 20, 2011. Read the Review-Journal blogpost here.
Repealing health care reform would costs Nevada big bucks
The effort to toss last year's federal health care reform would add $320 billion to the federal decifict but would also cost Nevada, already reeling from the worst economy in the country, "hundreds of millions," warns PLAN's Michael Ginsburg.
Jan. 10, 2011. Read more about it here.
Las Vegas Sun: Lobbyists speak for money, not for altruism
When huge multi-national corporations doing business here in Nevada spend oodles of benjamins on lobbyists and campaign war chests, they aren't trying to buy a better state. As the Sun's David McGrath Schwartz notes, "in Carson City, it’s sometimes easy to forget that these corporations, industry lobbyists and public employee unions are looking out for their own interests, which may or may not align with yours." PLAN's own Bob Fulkerson warns that the decision making process in Carson City is "a song and dance" that allows the money boys, especially mining, to skirt significant investment in the future of the state.
Jan. 9, 2011. Read more about it here.
Reno Gazette-Journal: PLAN battles beavers (gently)
PLAN is looking for strong arms and chicken wire to protect trees along the Truckee River in Reno. The work will protect the trees without hurting the Castor canadensis. For more information, call PLAN in reno at (775) 348-7557.
Jan. 9, 2011. Read more about it here>>
Las Vegas CityLife
PLAN's Michael Ginsburg comments on the rising power of progressive coalitions (like PLAN!) to make a difference in debates on such issues as the Don't Ask, Don't Tell repeal and the DREAM Act debate.
Jan. 6, 2011. Read more about it here>>
Reno News & Review: PLAN joins interstate alliance
PLAN has joined an interstate alliance to give us more organizing and advocacy abilities, Director Bob Fulkerson announced. We're happy to be with our friends from the Seattle-based Alliance for a Just Society!
Jan. 6, 2011. Read more about it here>>
Minden Record-Courier: PLAN lobbyist to speak Jan. 12 in Minden
PLAN's Jan Gilbert will speak to the Douglas County Democratic Women. Expect the governor's slashing approach to the budget to be on the agenda...
Jan. 3, 2011. Read more about it here >>
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Former governor candidate not done yet
PLAN's Launce Rake says Rory Reid listened to progressives, even if he did not always support their goals.
Jan. 3, 2011. Read more about it here >>
Las Vegas Sun: Governor-elect continues to draw lobbyist paycheck
A conflict of interest? Yes, says Las Vegas Sun. But hey, this is Nevada! We expect our governor to be in the pocket of the corporations!
Dec. 30, 2010. Read more about it here >>
Las Vegas Review-Journal: Governor, legislators prepare for "horrible" cuts
Virtually everyone will be hit hard by the loss of services, funding for education and other essentials.
Dec. 21, 2010. Read more about it here >>
Las Vegas Sun: Governor-elect meets with PLAN lobbyist...
But the prospects for funding education, human needs and other essential services are still uncertain-to-horrible, observers fear.
Dec. 19, 2010. Read more about it here >>
