Nevada Legislature

State Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford will propose a sweeping overhaul of Nevada's education system this week, with reforms that offer a sharp critique of the state's education establishment.

Draw no conclusions, we're told, over this coincidence: St. Patrick's Day is also unofficially "Vice Tax" day at the Legislature. The Assembly Taxation Committee is scheduled to hear proposals that would dramatically raise taxes on alcohol and tobacco. Members of the media - including the Sun - have pointed out the Democratic leadership's refusal to acknowledge taxes will have to be raised to balance the state budget. But these sin taxes are considered the most politically palatable - the low hanging fruit.

Nevada health care scorecard. Overall rank: 46

Assembly bill would tax renewable energy exported from Nevada.

Rooftops covered in solar panels. Miles of mirrors in the desert. Renewable energy boosters evoke both images while touting the coming green economy. But current market forces appear to favor the latter - large-scale utility plants.