Steven Horsford in State of Nevada Archives

On Jobs: Voted to raise minimum wage to $15/hr.

On Government Reform: Audit the cost of capital punishment

Analysis by Center Right NV blog: AB501 calls for the legislative auditor to examine the costs of capital cases compared to non-death penalty cases. The study includes pre-trial, trial and appeal costs, plus how much it costs to keep an inmate on death row.

Veto message analysis by Nevada Prison Watch blog analysis of Veto Message: Sandoval was not convinced it would be a fair audit. "The bill lists the costs to be assessed in determining the overall fiscal impact of the imposition of the death penalty, but it does not specify how it is these costs will be assessed," the governor said. Sandoval said that death row inmates make "individualized litigation choices" that drive up the costs of their cases.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 28-14-0 on Apr/25/11; Passed Senate 11-10-0 on May/28/11; Senate Majority Leader Horsford voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. Sandoval on May/31/11.

On Government Reform: Approved legislative majority-minority redistricting

Analysis by Ballotpedia.org: Both parties have claimed to have the best interests of minority voters at heart in their map. Republicans accuse Democrats of diluting reliably Democratic Hispanic votes to maximize the party's chances without giving equal consideration to what Hispanics specifically want. Democrats shoot back that the GOP is, far from creating majority-minority district to benefit Hispanics, actually packing them in order to weaken their power overall.

Gov. Sandoval's veto message: The plan reflected in the bill did not provide for the fair representation of the people of the state of Nevada, nor did it comply with the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 26-16-0 on May/18/11; Passed Senate 11-10-0 on May/25/11; Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford voted YES; Vetoed by Gov. Sandova

On Education: Restore budget cuts for K-12 public education

Opinion in support by John Oceguera, the incoming speaker of the Nevada Assembly: The governor's budget cuts $668 million in state support for K-12, a cut of 27%. These proposed cuts, on top of cuts made in the last two years, will likely result in teacher layoffs, even larger classes, fewer career and technical education opportunities and elimination of full-day kindergarten and other programs proven to help students learn.

Gov. Sandoval's veto message: Were this bill to be enacted into law, insufficient revenue would be available for the Legislature to meets its obligation to prepare a balanced budget encompassing all areas of state responsibility..

Legislative Outcome: Passed Assembly 26-16-0 on May/10/11; Passed Senate 11-10-0 on May/10/11; Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford voted YES; Vetoed by Governor Brian Sandoval on May/16/11.