Countdown!

6 days till the end of the legislative session.

12 days till moving day!

It's Not Over Till the Fat Lady Sings

Throughout the 120 day session there are several deadlines and if you miss any of the deadlines your bill is essentially "dead". However, things have a way of coming back to life has we rapidly approach the June 6th deadline.

Franchise Fees - Franchise fees are that tax you see on some of your utility bills. There was a bill introduced at the beginning of the session that would eliminate these fees. If you say this phrase around the building, you'll immediately be surrounded by the various local governments' lobbyists.
- Died at the beginning of the session, in Senator Townsend's Commerce and Labor Committee. When it came up for a vote and Senator Tiffany broke party lines and voted against the bill.
- Was made into an amendment on an Assembly bill last Friday, but was pulled by the sponsor of the amendment, in the middle of the deadline madness. (Those few hours were kinda funny though, watching the local governments scramble!)

The Graduated Driver's License - The GDL is the pet project bill of Senator Cegavske. This bill says that any driver under the age of 18 would hold a restricted driver's license where various requirements and regulations would be placed on the minor driver. Senator Cegavske has been trying her whole career in Carson to pass this bill.
- Died on the Assembly side, the Assembly Democrats have their own version of the GDL bill this year.
- Was made into an amendment on said Assembly bill by the Senate.
- Assembly voted not to concur with Senator Cegavske's amendment which means that if she doesn't remove her amendment this bill (amendment and all) will go to a conference committee, where anything can happen. (This is the farthest this bill has gotten since the Senator began her campaign.)

These are just two examples, but it shows that anything can happened and nothing is dead until sine die. Bills that are still alive are now back in their original houses, unless they're exempt bills, in which case they can be anywhere. Those that were not amended on the opposite side, go immediately to the Governor, while those that were, must go back to their original house for a concur or not concur vote on the amendment. If they decide to concur, the bill goes to the Governor, otherwise the bill goes back to the second house and they have the option to rescind or not rescind their amendment. Again, if they rescind, the bill goes to the Governor; if not, a conference committee of three legislators from each side will be appointed. Each bill is allowed two conference committees. If an agreement still cannot be reach, the bill dies for lack of an agreement between the two houses.

Now is not the time to become complacent. Just because you think you're done, you're not. All your bills may be signed by the Governor; doesn't matter, a hurtful amendment can always so up at the 11th hour. Something will rear it's ugly little head and throw you into a tailspin. Now is the time to be on your toes, to watch out for those around you; everyone is trying to cut a deal and everyone is trying to protect their clients. Things are going to start happening behind closed doors (the budget) and very late at night. (re: The 110th Day)

You're never ahead of the game in this building, you're always just treading water.

Countdown!

7 days till the end of the legislative session.

13 days till moving day!

Oh. My. God. It's so very close, I can't wait!

Vote For Pedro!

Okay, because I felt left out not knowing what Uncle Sheddy was talking about, I watched Napoleon Dynamite this weekend. All I have to say is, I want my two hours back. I thought it was probably the single most terrible movie I have ever seen. Now maybe it's just me and I simply don't have the right sense of humor to truly appreciate a movie of its caliber, but I was hugely disappointed. Beavis and Butthead Do America was a better movie.

The 110th Day

I once had a bumper sticker that had the Hawaiian workday calendar on it and as yesterday went on into hour 19, I began to think about how often Legislative time reflects Hawaiian time

The following is my day (in a nutshell) for the 110th day of the 2005 Legislative session:

The day began at 7am and ended at 4am (door to door)
2 hours were spent in the car
19 hours were spent in Carson City

Out of those 19 hours
8 hours (approx. 5 per house) were spent in floor sessions
3 hours spent in committee hearings
Approx. 8 hours spent waiting for committee meetings and floor sessions to begin while legislators caucuses and and various lobbyists tried one last time to grab legislators' support.

We ran two hours behind on Friday. Not because there was too much work to complete, but because nothing ever begins on time in this building and well...it is politics after all.

Takes a Lickin' and Keeps on Tickin'

This will be my only post for today and probably this weekend. We are very rapidly approaching the end of the session and things have the tendency to get out of control. Like always, I recommend you visit my mom's blog in the meantime. I have said this before and I'll say it again, she has some very fascinating posts that will not only entertain, but educate. Thanks for your patience! Talk to you all soon!

Pick a Card, Any Card

Now that I have my license and a place to work, I am faced with what just may be the single most important decision of my real estate career...choosing my business cards. Then I decided to leave that decision up to all of you.

Check the choices out here and let me know which one you vote for!

Greatest Americans

The Discovery Channel came out with their list of the 100 greatest Americans.

Who are your top five greatest Americans? Why?

Are Rules, Rules?

Check out this article from MSNBC and let me know what you think.

Countdown!

21 days till the end of the legislative session.

27 days till moving day!

(It's getting so close!)

Diary of a Home Owner

Sometimes the littlest things can make you very proud of yourself. I was doing some cleaning this weekend and while I was vacuuming, noticed that the plate the phone jack connects to was missing. Seeing this, I remembered that when I moved in, the plate was cracked and needed to be replaced. (As you can tell I got right on that!)

I decided that this probably wasn't a very good thing to have while trying to sell my house, so on Sunday I decided that I was going to go to the hardware store around the corner and buy a new plate. (I was smart and took inventory for all the other outlet plates before I left so I would only have to make one trip!) I figured that all I would need is another plate, all the wiring was fine and the jack works perfectly. Alas, I was wrong. Apparently nobody's plate just breaks like that, (the very helpful employee looked at me like I was, well...Blonde) you have to replace the entire thing. Yes, this means rewiring the jack. The same very helpful employee very patiently showed me that the plate came with Outlet Wiring for Blondes instructions that included color coded pictures and corresponding wires.

Despite my hair coloring, I was successful! This now makes the second thing I have rewired in my house. (Completely on my own I might add!) Task completed, I just sat back and grinned at myself. (I am such a goof!) I learned a new task, yet another thing to add to my list of weird and/or useless knowledge.

It's Raining, It's Pouring, the Old Man is Snoring.

We had one beautiful day on Saturday and it's back to rain again. I just don't feel like I live in the desert these days. The news keeps saying we need the moisture; but every time it rains, I start to miss the sun. If only we could have rain like Hawaii, with the sun shining and the weather still warm. That would be nice!

Harry Potter

The trailer for the fourth Harry Potter movie, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, is available for viewing to the WB site. The movie will come out in November, just in time for Thanksgiving! If you can't wait until then, the sixth book, Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, will be available in bookstores on July 16. If you reserve your copy at any Borders today you get an automatic 40% off when you pick it up; if you forget to reserve it, you will only receive a 30% discount. (A shameless plug, but I have to tow the company line)

Money, Money, Money, Money...Money

We are fast approaching yet another deadline. With so few days left, things are getting exciting and legislators are fighting to get their ideas heard. Before the session began, Nevadans were told by the Governor that we would be getting a rebate (from $0 to $300) on their vehicle registration. However, the Senator Titus and the Assembly Democrats dislike this idea (probably because they are running for Governor) and have come up with a plan themselves.

Check this link out and let me know what you think!

Oh Canada!

Today is Drug Importation day at the Nevada Legislature so things are a buzzin'

This means I don't have time to post much, so I am just going to leave you with a question and allow you to discuss among yourselves.

Do you think that Nevada should encourage Nevadans to purchase their pharmaceuticals from Canadian pharmacies? (Why or Why not)


Now Discuss....

Countdown!

I haven't done this in a while

26 days till the end of the legislative session.

32 days till moving day!

Diary of a Home Owner

I just have one thing to say today...I really hate having to make my bed everyday.

(and no comments from the peanut gallery Uncle Sheddy!)

Previously on The Amazing Race

Last night was the finale of The Amazing Race on CBS and boy was it exciting! I was practically jumping up and down, rooting for my team. (They came in second) Now normally I don't comment on the episodes, I let snarkwife take care of that since she does such a fabulous job with it. However, today I feel compelled.

The final three came down to Ron and Kelly, (The POW and the beauty queen) Uchenna and Joyce, (The married couple) and Boston Rob and Amber. (The Survivors) Before I get too in depth, let me give you some background.

None of the teams particularly like Boston Rob and Amber because they play the game like they're still on Survivor. They try to outwit, outsmart and outplay their competition and they did it successfully enough to make it to the top three. (and never reach the matt last) On the other hand, everyone loves Uchenna and Joyce. They are helpful and kind to all the other contestants. Compared to their competition, they are perfect angels. Then, somewhere in the middle, are Ron and Kelly. Ron and Kelly are not, by any stretch of the imagination, a match made in Heaven. They are not a cohesive unit, they did nothing but fight with each other the entire race.

When the show started out, Rob and Amber were in first with Uchenna and Joyce pulling up the rear. All three teams traded off the lead pretty well until the flight to Florida. Rob and Amber and Uchenna and Joyce managed not to get lost on the way to airport and got on an earlier flight; Ron and Kelly however, were fighting to much to pay attention to the road signs! (Ahh, visions of Italy) Just a little side note, Mom and I would do fantastic on this show!

Anyway, this put the two teams on the first flight to Florida, neck and neck to the next clue and the finish line. When it comes to the end-game, the smallest mistake can cost you that million dollars. Unfortunately for Rob and Amber, they got lost in Little Havana while Uchenna and Joyce arrived to the matt first. The look on Lynn and Alex's faces when Uchenna and Joyce showed up first was just priceless. They looked like they were going to burst with excitement simply because Rob and Amber didn't win!

Now I was expecting a more dismal welcome when Rob and Amber showed up. In fact I was disappointed that it was so...well, welcoming. What's with that? Hello! These teams hate Rob and Amber. Some of them with an all consuming passion. I want to see some smirking, boos or something to show their true feelings for the couple. They wasted so much time while they were actually racing hating them; where's the drama!!

Ahh, oh well. So Uchenna and Joyce won. Good for them, they are going to use the money for in vitro fertilization and/or adoption. That's awesome! Thinking back to the beginning of the race I really don't remember them fighting each other very much; they respected each other right up to the very end. Rob and Amber were the same way and they got the CBS consolation prize... a beautiful wedding that will be aired on Tuesday, May 24 at 9pm. Ron and Kelly will go their separate ways, Ron will continue to go through life comparing everything to his time as a POW and Kelly will find another hick she can cling to. (Hey, I know a desperate army hick...nope wouldn't wish him on anybody, even someone as annoying as her!)

Drama, drama, drama! I can't wait until season 8, the rumor is it'll be a special "(disfunctional) family edition". Oh goody!

Answers

Okay I promised you the answers to my little quiz last Thursday, well here they are! (just a little late)

Who is second in the line of succession for the Governor's office? (Name is fine, but title is better)
( MR. GAD answers Speaker Perkins)
- Sen. Amodei or President Pro Tempore of the Senate

How does one become the Secretary of the Senate or the Chief Clerk of the Assembly?
(MR. GAD answers they are appointed)
- Claire and Nancy were elected into their positions by their respective bodies.

What has to happen in order to amend the Nevada Constitution? (There are multiple correct answers!)
(MR. GAD - it either has to go to a vote of the people twice and the Legislature once, or the Legislature twice and a vote once.)
- MR. GAD is correct! Just to add, each time it's voted on it must stay in the exact same format.

What does it mean to place a bill on the Secretary's desk?
(MR. GAD says it's dead (chuckles))
- Placing a bill on the Secretary's desk means that the bill is put on hold, it can't move until it's taken off. There can be any number of reasons to put a bill on the Secretary's desk; to get answers to questions, to add an amendment or as MR. GAD said, to kill it.

How often does the legislature meet (does not include special sessions or interim) and for how long do they meet?
(MR. GAD - Every two years for 120 days. BINGO!)
- Once again MR. GAD is correct!

If the President of the Senate and the President Pro Tempore are both absent, who presides over the Senate? (Again, either the name or the title will work.)
(MR. GAD - I would guess the Majority leader)
- Nope, sorry. It is in fact the Chairman of the Legislative Operations committee who this session is Sen. Cegavske

Which senate district(s) have multiple Senators?
(MR. GAD - Titus and Care and Heck and Tiffany)
- WooHoo, MR. GAD is on a roll! Sens Titus and Care share a district and so do Sens Heck and Tiffany)

Who has the majority in the Assembly?
(MR. GAD - Ricky? (Chuckles) Democrats)
- Yes, it's the Democrats

What two sport events are legislative traditions?
(MR. GAD - Softball and Basketball)
- Yes, every year the members of the Legislature put on two sports events. The basketball game is played the Republicans versus the Democrats and the softball game is played the Senate versus the Assembly.

Who's portrait overlooks the Assembly and why?
(MR. GAD while looking directly at said painting - Lincoln because Nevada was made a state during his term)
- Correct! This was an easy question because the answer was right here

Where is the legislature located and why?
(MR. GAD - In Carson City, the Capitol!)
- Right answer! (Though many of us would like to see it moved to Vegas where it doesn't snow in April!)

Diary of a Home Owner

In case I haven't told you before, my home in Reno is officially on the market. (Moving day just keeps getting closer and closer.) Oh and did I mention my real estate license came the other day! That's right, I'm legal now.

So add these two things together and you have one very observant seller. Everyday I come home and see little tale tell signs that someone has been in my house. This is fine, sell the house, sell the house, sell the house! However, there are just a couple of things that I have noticed and will file in my brain under things not to do when showing a home.

Leaving lights on
- I know I am weird, we've discovered that already, but I really don't like fluorescent lights and I really can't stand the one in my kitchen. I very rarely use it, so when I come home and it's on, it's quite noticeable. It would be nice if the agent turned off the lights when they leave the room.

Leaving doors and curtains open
- I doubt most people would notice things like this, but I am the daughter of a cop who has lived alone for the last five years. It's in my blood to check for signs of an intruder the minute I open the front door. I notice when the window coverings on the screen door are open and internal doors that where closed aren't. Again a little thing, but still noticeable

These are just two of my pet peeves I have discovered from having my home on the market for the past week. I understand that I am not going to change the behavior of other agents, nor is it my job to, but I can take the things that I have learned and either steal their good ideas or I can learn from their mistakes. Having my house on the market before I myself try to sell someone else's is turning out to be a very valuable lesson.

Germ Warfare

I work in a germ incubator!

Germs have been floating around the building since the beginning of the session, and they finally found me.

Let me tell you, you can take vitamins, a wash your hands, use antibacterial wipes and get as much sleep possible, but eventually it will catch up to you. I guess it's no surprise, the population of the building could rival some of the counties it represents.

Never Fear

On my mother's blog today, she wrote about fear of color. I just want to say, that doesn't seem to be a fear of mine. I love lots of color, in my clothes, sometimes my hair :), and in my house.

In case this is your first visit to my blog, let me bring you up to date. I have a new house and as of Friday it is officially mine! (well, my mother's and the bank's if you want to get technical)It's is cute and as of this moment a blank canvas. (which just makes my fingers itch!)

While I was in Vegas this weekend, my mother, step-mother (Geneva), and I met with a painter then took on the project of picking a color scheme for the house. So off we went to Lowes to pick out paint chips. Between the three of us there were enough differences in taste, that we came up with a palate that is both neutral and colorful. We picked out a great base color and some bright accents. When you look at them all separately, you would never think they all go together, yet they do. I am so excited, I can't wait to see it.

The most difficult part of this entire process is that I'm 400 miles away and can't watch the fun unfold. That's okay, I'll be home soon!