WINNEMUCCA — You know what they say about governors – at first opportunity they blame the Legislature. 

That’s largely what happened when Governor Jim Gibbons addressed the state Monday night and told viewers he submitted a balanced budget to the Legislature, which included no increase in taxes, but legislators raised taxes, grew the government, and made the situation worse.

“They made the wrong call,” Gibbons said.

Responding to the governor were Assemblymen John Carpenter (Elko), the ranking Republican, and Pete Goicoechea (Eureka) – who are generally not regarded by their rural constituency as tax-n-spend liberals.

U.S. Congressman Dean Heller (R-NV) joined the House Republican Israel Caucus.  The Caucus works in the House to support policies that support the state of Israeli and foster a stronger U.S. partnership.

“Israel has been a friend of the United States for many decades and has consistently promoted the ideals of democracy in the Middle East.   This partnership has provided invaluable international intelligence that has saved the lives of countless innocent civilians.  I am proud to be a member of the Republican Israel Caucus and I will continue to support the state of Israel and its citizens,” said Heller.

U.S. Senators John Ensign and Harry Reid sent their condolences to the families of the two men shot at the Lloyd D. George Federal Courthouse earlier today.  One security officer was killed and a deputy US Marshal was injured in the shootout. 

WINNEMUCCA — The BLM moved forward Monday with an effort to remove approximately 2,700 wild horses off rangeland in western Humboldt County after a legal effort by wild horse enthusiasts failed to stop the roundup.  The BLM said the removal was necessary to reduce overpopulation on a range with depleting resources.

In Defense of Animals, an animal-welfare organization based in San Francisco, along with Nevadans Terri Farley and Craig C. Downer, attempted to block the gather by filing a request in federal court for a preliminary injunction.  In court on December 16 they argued the BLM lacked the authority under the Wild Horse and Burro Act to remove wild horses from the rangeland and hold them in long-term care facilities.