Today's print edition

Our Legislature needs to step up and get the job done: By Brian Greenspun; I have been one of those Nevadans who believed that the Legislature should meet no more than every two years and for no more than a specific amount of time. The theory has been that when forced to do the work, legislators will get it done and leave the good people of Nevada alone the rest of the time. I was wrong.

UMC not the only drag on Clark County’s budget outlook: By Conor Shine; Most of the services provided by Clark County are paid for using revenues from property tax collections. But several county functions — ranging from airports to the Las Vegas Township Constable’s Office — are expected to pay for their operations using fees and other charges they collect from customers, much like a private business. While some of these “self-funded” operations make enough money each year to cover their expenses, many find their budgets in the red. When that happens, the department has several options, including cutting staff, keeping vacant positions open, raising prices or drawing on their reserves.

Legislature might get messy near the end: By Anjeanette Damon; The Nevada Legislature has reached the point in every session when lawmakers, lobbyists and reporters ask: Is it going to end on time? And the answer always is: Maybe.

Former Sen. John Ensign hit with fine over contributions: By Karoun Demirjian; The Federal Election Commission announced Friday a $32,000 fine against former U.S. Sen. John Ensign of Nevada and his former campaign committee treasurer, Lisa Lisker, for failing to disclose “excessive in-kind contributions” from Ensign’s parents.

Miller under attack as he pursues campaign finance reform: By Andrew Doughman; An out-of-state conservative group wants you to call Democratic Nevada Secretary of State Ross Miller and tell him that you’re “sick of his costly hypocrisy.” But that group doesn't have to disclose its campaign contributions.

IRS scandal reopens rift over Obamacare; Nevada lawmakers entangled: By Karoun Demirjian; Congress was supposed to be done arguing over repeals of the Affordable Care Act, but the Internal Revenue Service’s targeting of conservative groups has reopened a partisan rift.

Few big tax bills afoot, but plenty of little ones at Nevada Legislature: By Anjeanette Damon; Democrats may have fallen short of crafting a comprehensive tax reform plan to address Nevada’s wobbly revenue structure, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a bevy bills to raise taxes floating around the Legislature this year.

Time to look south: As the Legislature rushes to close its business in the final two weeks of its session, lawmakers and Gov. Brian Sandoval need to remember one thing: Southern Nevada is the state’s economic engine, and what’s good for Las Vegas is good for the state as a whole. Clark County provides the bulk of the state’s tax revenue and the jobs, is home to nearly two-thirds of the citizens of Nevada, and should be the focus of the state’s attention. But you wouldn’t always recognize that by the debate in Carson City.

Benghazi scandal is manufactured: James Witherspoon, Las Vegas; I keep hearing Republican politicians saying, “The American people want to know what happened in Benghazi.”

Implement lottery in lieu of taxes: Bruce Karley, Las Vegas; Do you think it is time for a lottery in this state?

Bill would improve voting process: Kara Freeman, Las Vegas; We should do everything we can to ensure that voter rolls are up to date so that the integrity of the vote is protected in Nevada.

Many benefits of energy efficiency: Fred Schmidt; NV Energy has demonstrated that it can help its customers cut energy waste. NV Energy spent $267 million on energy efficiency programs during 2007-12 — programs that have enabled households and businesses to lower their electricity use by 1.9 billion kilowatt-hours per year. This amount of savings is equivalent to the electricity use of 34,000 typical Nevada households.