Legislative Briefly

Las Vegas students name state bug

(AP) " Three fourth-graders representing a class that won a contest to pick Nevada's official state bug took a plane flight from Las Vegas on Wednesday to tell lawmakers about their choice " the Vivid Dancer Damselfly.

John R. Beatty Elementary fourth-graders Lexie Arancibia, Meagan Anders and Ryan Underwood presented facts about the 11⁄2-inch-long winged insect to the Senate Government Affairs Committee. SB166, making the damselfly the state insect, won quick approval and was routed to full Senate.

Assemblyman Lynn Stewart, R-Henderson, co-authored the bill with Sen. Joyce Woodhouse, D-Henderson. He said one of the most important lessons the students learned was that they had an impact on making laws.

"Kids know they can make a difference, that their voices can be heard," Stewart said.

Governor drops political adviser

(AP) " Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons has severed another link with Nevada's established political advisers, parting ways with Jim Denton.

Denton, one of four experienced political hands involved in Gibbons' successful 2006 campaign, said Wednesday he discussed ending his paid adviser role "some months back" and that role ended amicably in mid-January.

The former advisers have been replaced by newcomers who are largely unknown in Nevada's political circles. They include the governor's only paid campaign staffer, Robert Olmer, who acknowledged to the Las Vegas Sun that he lacks political experience.

Room tax petition takes effect

(AP) " As promised, Gov. Jim Gibbons on Wednesday let a petition to increase hotel room tax rates in the Reno and Las Vegas areas by up to 3 percentage points go into Nevada lawbooks without his signature.

Under the plan, room tax rates will increase to a maximum of 13 percent starting July 1. Nearly all of the new revenue will be generated in the Las Vegas area since most hotels and motels in Reno already have room tax rates of 13 percent or higher.

The tax increase is expected to produce $233 million over the first two years, far less than the $292 million that Gibbons initially estimated.

Under state law, a measure approved during a legislative session takes effect five days after it reaches the governor if the governor chooses not to sign or veto it.

Money raised from the tax during the first two years can be used for any purpose, including covering perceived holes in the state budget. Starting in mid-2011, the money must be used to increase teacher salaries or on programs to improve student achievement.