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Sam Morris / Las Vegas Sun
Assemblyman Steven Brooks applauds after being sworn in along with the rest of the assembly on the first day of the 2013 legislative session Monday, Feb. 4, 2013 in Carson City.
Tuesday, Feb. 5, 2013 | 1:52 p.m.
CARSON CITY — Troubled Assemblyman Steven Brooks, D-North Las Vegas, intends to serve in the Legislature this session, scuttling a potential deal that would have had him take a leave of absence.
Assembly Democratic leadership made clear in a brief press conference today that they disagreed with his decision, expressing concern for his health.
“He’s not the same gentleman we had known,” Assembly Majority Leader William Horne, D-Las Vegas, said. But, he added, Brooks said he feels good enough to serve and wants to represent his constituents.
Brooks was arrested Jan. 19 on a count of threatening a public official, Assembly Speaker Marilyn Kirkpatrick, D-North Las Vegas. He was also committed to a mental facility Jan. 25 after being found in possession of a sword.
Brooks arrived at the Legislature at noon, missing the first Assembly Ways and Means Committee meeting.
He left without talking to the media.
Kirkpatrick said, “I absolutely feel safe.”
A committee formed to evaluate the ability of members to serve will continue to move forward.
Horne said he believed that if Brooks missed meetings, it would be factored into the committee’s recommendation to the Assembly as a whole. Two-thirds of the members of the Assembly can vote to expel a member.
Horne said leadership had expected Brooks to come into the building to sign documents cementing his leave of absence.
Brooks has been shadowed by a Legislative police officer since his arrest.
I believe several members of both parties have expressed their support for having Nevadans carry guns in the open as a deterrent to violence (either by criminals or anyone emotionally disturbed). If it is such a good idea, why not subject themselves to the same rules and change the law to allow guns to be carried in the Legislature? This should make them safer. Right?
Brooks should not be allowed to serve until he is thoroughly examined by a qualified doctor.
If he is allowed I will go back to my previous statement that "If he was a Republican he'd be burned at the stake!"
I hope he's alright and can serve the term the people elected him to do. We all have our demons. Hopefully, he will work through his. Good luck.
Since he is my representative, I expect that he is able to perform the office. If he is not, then he should resign so that someone else can serve. The people of the district expect that the person elected to the office be able to serve. After all, it is only 120 days they have to work every two years.
There's no procedure for getting him out based on his actions? Ridiculous.
Obviously the guy has mental health issues that need to be addressed.