Senate bill would allow wagering on elections

When it comes to national politics, forget political pollsters — Nevada sports books may be where the heavy action is for bettors looking to cash in by predicting elections outcomes.

Also, dogs, budgets and English language learner programs will be key topics as Nevada lawmakers begin their ninth week Monday and near the midday point and elimination of pay for the remainder of the session.

WANNA BET?

Nevada oddsmakers would get in the mix of federal politics under a bill expected to be considered Wednesday by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

SB418 would allow sports-pool-style wagering on elections for president, U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives.

Judiciary Chairman Tick Segerblom says such pari-mutuel betting could be a boon for state gambling revenues.

The Las Vegas Democrat adds that other countries allow wagers on elections, and it’s time Nevada starts thinking “outside the box.”

GOING TO THE DOGS

There were yips and howls in the Senate chambers when Sen. Ben Kieckhefer, R-Reno, introduced a bill to make the blue Weimaraner Nevada’s official state dog.

More barks and growls are expected Monday, when Kieckhefer presents SB255 to the Senate Government Affairs Committee.

Kieckhefer said the bill stems from a letter he received from a 9-year-old Reno boy, asking to make the long-legged, droopy-earned, sharp-nosed hunting dog Nevada’s official state canine. The youngster even included a petition signed by his classmates.

The senator, who owns a pug and lab, says he made no promises the bill would pass. Beagle, border collie and mutt lovers may object.

CLOSING THE BOOKS

Tuesday marks the beginning of the end in the budget process. Assembly Ways and Means and Senate Finance committees will begin closing budgets for upcoming biennium.

They will start with small budget accounts, gradually working their way up to the big ones like education and health and human services.

Ways and Means and Senate Finance will each set their own spending plans for agencies. They will then meet jointly later in the session to reconcile any differences.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

Enhancing programs for English language learners will be a hot topic Wednesday in the Senate Education Committee, which will consider three bills on the issue.

SB291, sponsored by Republican Sen. Michael Roberson of Henderson, seeks $40 million to expand early education programs for English language learners in Clark County.

Another bill, SB455 proposed by Gov. Brian Sandoval, would create a pilot program for school districts to apply for grants to expand English language programs.

And SB504 would, among other things, require teachers at schools where more than 25 percent of students have limited English skills to be endorsed to teach English as a second language.

HALFWAY THERE

Thursday marks the 60th day of the session, the halfway point and the last day legislators receive a salary under state law.

Assembly and Senate members get $146.29 per day in salary for the first 60 days of the 120-day session. That equates to about $8,777.

While their pay will cease, legislators will still receive per diem for food and lodging, which can add up to $152 per day.

The pace of the second half of the session is expected to pick up considerably with committee meetings lasting long into the night.