Quick thread on the #NVleg Democratic leadership press conference w/ Maj Leader Cannizzaro and Speaker Frierson from a little bit ago, starting with the possibility of tax increases to raise revenue in order to offset the budget cuts

(2/?) Earlier, Gov. Sisolak reiterated his stance that any tax increases will be up to the Democrat controlled, where at least 1 GOP Senator would need to be on board to pass any raise

Frierson said those talks are ongoing, adding "we dont necessarily know the best path forward"

(3/?) Frierson said several times that he does not want to any raise that would put a burden on the working class, and effectively ruled a sales tax increase, which was something that the Senate Republican Leader in 2019 had pitched behind the scenes. https://www.reviewjournal.com/news/politics-and-government/2019-legislature/republicans-offered-nevada-sales-tax-hike-1678466/

Frierson said there hasn't been any substantive discussions between Dems and GOP about potential revenue increases through the first two days of the special session.

Asked why not, he said "That would be a conversastion with those folks."

(5/?) Frierson did say that he mentioned to Republican leadership today that "we need to start having these conversations in greater detail."

(6/?) Republican Sen. Ben Kieckhefer told me earlier in the day that "I haven't had any talks about a tax increase."

(7/?) On the budgets, Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro said she expects the budgets will take 7-8 bills to finalize it. Neither Cannizzaro or Frierson would say how long the budget special session might last.

(8/?) So far, both Assembly and Senate have heard from directors of state's depts of Health & Human Services, Education and Higher Ed, which make up the biggest of the budget cuts. Frierson said he doesn't intend to have hearing on other agencies' budget cuts, however.

(9/?) Last thing: On budgets, Frierson said federal government has a big role to play in helping Nevada, & other states, get back on their feet financially, and called on the US Senate to pass the Heroes Act,

"What we need is for Mitch McConnell to do his job," Frierson said.

(10/10) Frierson noted that Nevada still has the highest uenemployment rate in the nation.

Frierson: "We need our federal government to act, and to give us a return on our investment in the federal government. It starts there."

And that's it for me folks. Enjoy whatever might be left of your night. We'll be back at it in morning when the #NVleg Assembly convenes at 9:30 a.m.*

Now here's an adorable baby donkey in a hammock.