2007'S HOT & NOT LIST
LIBERTY WATCH EXPLORES THOSE WHO'LL BE PLAYERS AND THOSE WHO'LL BE PLAYED IN NEVADA'S 74TH SESSION

BY MIKE ZIGLER

Sen. Randolph Townsend
R-Reno
This long-time player has little to prove as a senatorial threat. He fundraised like no other during the 2006 election and now he'll again identify and destroy targets during the session. Without question, Townsend emerges as a governor's point man in the upper house. After this session, look for Townsend to challenge Dean Heller for Congress. After all, he'd be a much better congressman and the state would be better served.


Sen. Barbara Cegavske
R-Las Vegas
As the only one remaining from Nevada's Concrete Blondes, Cegavske is viewed as a survivor. However, she better scale her legislative intentions down to conservative principles, not misguided and personal ones. Her voice will be heard, but will be respected with truly principled approaches.


Sen. Maurice Washington
R-Reno
As chairman of the Health Committee, Washington will have an opportunity to shine if he doesn't let Democrats take advantage of his kindness. His election victory should allow him to understand that his constituents have given him a mandate. Also, Maurice, fix health care and don't let unions push you around. 


Assemblyman Ed Goedhart
R-Pahrump
Goedhart will embrace a small-county theme in his legislative work, packed with a degree in finance. He'll understand complicated issues while giving notice to rural values.


Sen. Terry Care
D-Las Vegas
Without doubt, Care serves as the de facto leader of the Democrat Senate Caucus. He's trusted by his colleagues and lobbyists. Dina Titus isn't. Care is the other party's Theodore Roosevelt with his big stick 'n' all.


Assemblyman Chad Christensen
R-Las Vegas
Despite previous troubles, Christensen is now a Carson City stronghold. He'll surface as a peacemaker and strategist with his caucus. Look for him to become leader of the re-election efforts of Assembly Republicans.


Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley
D-Las Vegas
Just like terrorism, once one enemy is nixed, another emerges. Such as the case with Barbara Buckley, she replaces Richard Perkins as Speaker of the Assembly and has war to wage. Buckley hates Republicans; she's powerful; and she's dangerous. Her close ties to labor are a concern to gaming and business alike. Her reputation and credibility will be watched closely. On her watch, anticipate issues that make little sense to reach headlines like all-day kindergarten, nurse-to-patient ratios and massive salary increases for government workers.


Sen. Bob Beers
R-Las Vegas
Visible, accessible and reasonable. Those three words sum up the solid character of Bob Beers, a veteran legislator who will likely be named Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. This powerful position will certainly overshadow the fact he didn't claim the governor's mansion. His wit and brains will leave Nevada's Democrat-heavy legislature without a free pass to tax and spend.


Gov. Jim Gibbons (R)
Gibbons will trash soon-to-be extinct Gov. Kenny Guinn's budget, start with his own and redefine the priorities of the state. His new team is diverse and smart. Gibbons was always underestimated by some in gaming. He's been viewed as a boy scout, however, like every good scout, we know Gibbons keeps a knife in his pocket and will use it when necessary.


Sen. Mark Amodei
R-Capital District
Have doubts about Mark? Don't. Amodei will surface as the Senate's most silent-yet-powerful voice. Like Theodore Roosevelt, he'll speak softly, but carry a big stick.


Sen. Bill Raggio
R-Reno
"Smooth-hand Luke," "Shadow Governor" - just a couple names Bill will be recognizable by when this session concludes - his 31st. The King will remain the King and Barbara Buckley will once again be reminded of that.


Assemblyman Ty Cobb
R-Reno
Rookie Cobb experienced an epiphany through a desire to eliminate the 2-percent banking tax and prevent illegal aliens from receiving state services. These ideas will ensure him as a player in lobbyist eyes.


Pete Ernaut
King of lobbyists
Tough times might seem the future for Ernaut -he's out of the good graces of the governor and his partner Vassiliadis will receive the cold shoulder at every turn by the administration. However, Ernaut's charm will allow him to continue to be a player within the halls of the Legislature.

Garn Mabey
Republican Assembly Leader
It will be a tough session for Dr. Maybe. His gentle, non-confrontational style has been questioned by conservatives, and with the upcoming Buckley/Union nursing legislation, he'll be forced to become the de facto point man for the healthcare industry. He'll also have to herd the new young guns within his caucus and deal with delicate egos. Mabey also has found himself in the crosshairs of conservative Chuck Muth, who has been a burr under his saddle. He'll need to make peace with Muth and set an agenda for Republicans.


Assemblyman Bernie Anderson
D-Washoe County
Expect Anderson to use his experience to be a behind-the-scenes dealmaker and control mechanism for Buckley when necessary. 


Mary Lau
Lobbyist
The business climate changes almost daily through regulations, public sentiment, legislation, education, marketing and customer variables. Lau's Retail Association of Nevada helps businesses meet demands and anticipate the future with confidence. Expect the same to stem from her group's financial efforts in the 2006 election. 


Sam Shad
Nevada journalist
A hot player and respected source for legislative coverage, Sam Shad produces the Silver State's finest and most go-to news when it comes to Nevada politics. His 30-minute is the outlet for public service and in-depth interrogation. 


Sam McMullin
Lobbyist
While Ernaut may be on the outs with Gibbons, McMullin is on the flipside. He's one of Gibbons' pets - a master cutthroat at the game.


Mike Dayton
Governor's Chief of Staff
Gibbons' chief of staff, Dayton is always underestimated. His relationship with Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio will ensure his bosses' demands are met. He is, by far, one of the shrewdest players of the game.


Ed Vogel
Nevada journalist
Unlike most political links to journalism in Nevada, Vogel is one of the few remaining voices received as unbiased and fair. He sits and watches to interpret and deliver the meaningful inches of news that matter most to the Silver State.

Jon Ralston
Greenspun Media employee 
Where shall we begin with Ralston? Many places to be exact, but the fact that Democrats and Republicans both decline to waste time on his believed-to-be-popular program is a fair one. Anymore, few commit to appear on "Face to Face," which posted poorer ratings than Tony Sacca (who airs once a week at 2 a.m. on Saturdays!) in late summer '06. This is just another legislative session that will further reveal and discredit Jon. He was fun while he lasted (we guess), but his skewed angles have led him to interviewing random nurses on strike these days. Expect, on a good day, for Ralston to land an interview with Buckley, pushing pro-socialism ideas like all-day kindergarten and anti-free-market ones against payday-loan centers. Elected officials and lobbyists alike don't trust him and certainly don't like him. 


Assemblyman Marcus Conklin
D-Clark County
This guy is a comedic modern-day version of Larry from the Three Stooges - give him a sword and he'll stab himself in the foot. His yes-man act to Barbara Buckley is embarrassingly the clear quintessential mommy-love syndrome and he's no match for Ocegara's brains or wit. Our prediction: Buckley distances herself from him shortly after the session starts. 


Billy Vassiliadis
Owner of R&R Partners
Billy won't be a hero this time around. This one-time power player finds himself deep under the doghouse for comments made during the 2006 election cycle. Gaming executives will have to find another conduit to the legislature. In other words, we'd be surprised if the governor pays Vassiliadis or his associate Ralston any attention at all.


Assemblywoman Francis Allen
R-Las Vegas
Chuck Muth launched this official's death sentence during the 2006 election cycle. After barely surviving a narrow victory in a heavily Republican district, Allen faces another challenge. She slightly defeated her hand-picked Democrat opponent and friend Connie Butcher, who spent nothing on her race, and now she must face colleagues, most who don't trust her. Conservatives view Allen as a missed opportunity, this session is her chance to redeem herself with Republicans. Should she not, rest assured that conservatives will have a well-financed and attractive candidate to remove her in the next election cycle.


Assemblyman Bob Beers
R-Las Vegas
Don't you wish your name was George Bush, George Washington or, hell, even Bill Clinton? Your name might take you places despite not having a lick of knowledge about where you're going. This Bob Beers was successful with the name game, riding the coattails of the real Bob Beers' gubernatorial campaign. Prepare for comedy this session with Bob Beers the imposter.


Sen. Dina Titus
D-Las Vegas
She had a sex scandal to benefit from. But Dina Titus imploded. Opportunities missed like these gimmes are, as we see it, material that labels you as much a leader as John Kerry. Opportunity presented, opportunity lost. Put a fork in her. She's no longer respected.

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