The 79th regular session of the Nevada Legislature is now underway.

The Nevada Legislatures 79th regular session opened with the usual pomp and circumstance, and an appropriate level of collegiality and co-operation. The fighting over the budget and other issues begins today.

Nevada's 63 state legislators are beginning the biennial lawmaking process to negotiate a state spending plan that could surpass $8 billion. A ceremony attended by legislators' families kicked off Monday with members of the Assembly voting for Assemblyman Jason Frierson to lead the lower chamber. The Las Vegas Democrat is the state's first black Assembly Speaker. The historic moment also marks the first time that both the state Senate and Assembly are concurrently led by black legislators. Among other policies, lawmakers will review state taxes and take a closer look at newly legalized recreational marijuana.

The 79th regular session of the Nevada Legislature is now underway.

Nevada's state legislators are beginning the biennial lawmaking process to negotiate a state spending plan that could surpass $8 billion. A ceremony attended by legislators' families kicked off yesterday with members of the Assembly voting for Assemblyman Jason Frierson to lead the lower chamber. In an election cycle dominated nationally by Republican candidates, Nevada Democrats flipped both chambers to their control. They're already putting roadblocks in front of some of Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval's priorities, including a contentious school voucher program.

The Washoe County sheriff's office is the lead investigating agency, after a Reno police officer shot a suspect who refused to drop a knife during a fight with another man at a downtown motel. It happened at the Motor Lodge motel on West Second street late Monday afternoon. One person was taken to the hospital with an apparent gunshot wound.

One person was injured in an officer-involved shooting on West 2nd Street, between Stevenson and Ralston. Reno Police officers originally responded to the area on the report of two men engaged in a fight, shortly before 4:30 Monday afternoon. Upon arrival, officers ordered a man holding a knife to drop it. He did not comply and was shot.

Governor Sandoval comes to the legislature asking for an 11% increase over the current budget, totalling 8.1 billion dollars. The Governor has proposed a tax increase. He wants a ten percent sales tax, in addition to the existing 15% wholesale ax on recreational marijuana. Those funds would be used for pay hikes for state workers and for school programs.