Legislature convenes with leadership predicting one day session

The special session of the Nevada Legislature convened this morning with leadership at both ends of the building predicting a one day session.

Assembly Majority Leader John Oceguera, D-Henderson, said to his knowledge, there are no glitches in the deal cutting spending this biennium by another $275 million. And Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said a Saturday meeting might not be necessary unless something happens.

Raggio and Speaker Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, said Thursday night that taking back state and teacher pay raises was not part of the deal.

Ways and Means Chairman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, confirmed this morning that taking the tobacco settlement money was also off the table in the deal worked out between the Senate and Assembly.

The one issue still unresolved in the package is the plan to take the money set aside for textbooks and technology for Nevada's public schools. Arberry said they need to ensure school districts and parents the textbook money will be restored as soon as possible and that there will be a trigger to bring it back this coming year if any funds become available.

Gov. Jim Gibbons said he still doesn't like that part of the plan.

"My concern is we don't deprive children of textbooks," he said today.

He said he's open to discussion by wants lawmakers to "show me."

The issue is important in the package because it is a total of $45 million out of the $275 million.