STATUS OF PETITIONS

Six of the nine initiatives or referendums that could appear on the
November ballot are in court or being recounted.

Qualified for Ballot

# "Education First." This initiative would require the Legislature to
pass the education budget before any other appropriations.

# Funding schools to the national average. This initiative would
require the Legislature to fund per-pupil spending at or above the
national average starting in 2012.

# Insurance rollbacks. This initiative would cut insurance rates by 20
percent, plus an extra 20 percent for good drivers. It also could
limit tort reform proposed in the Keep Our Doctors in Nevada initiative.

In the Courts

# "Keep Our Doctors in Nevada." This petition would cap non-economic
injuries at $350,000 in medical malpractice suits. A group on
Wednesday asked the state Supreme Court to pull the initiative from
the ballot, saying it violates several constitutional provisions. The
court has not yet responded.

# Regulation of marijuana. This initiative would allow adults 21 years
and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana while increasing
penalties for selling drugs to minors and driving under the influence.
The petition has not yet qualified. A full verification of signatures
must be completed by Aug. 31. Backers of this initiative won a
separate lawsuit in federal court but it is still unclear if the issue
will be appealed to the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

Two petitions could be affected by a case in the state Supreme Court
that will be heard Aug. 31. The court will hear arguments about
whether petition gatherers followed the law and the court could
invalidate some signatures and that could disqualify the following
petitions:

# Frivolous lawsuits. This initiative would penalize attorneys who
pursue frivolous lawsuits. It has qualified for the ballot.

# Minimum wage. This initiative would raise the minimum wage by $1 an
hour.

Undergoing Recount

# "Axe the Tax." This referendum would repeal the $833 million in
taxes passed in the last legislative session. A full verification of
signatures must be completed by Aug. 26. Backers have promised to file
suit if the initiative does not make the ballot. The Nevada Taxpayers
Association has filed a suit in Carson City District Court to
challenge the referendum. That challenge is to be heard Aug. 30.

# Public employees. This initiative would prohibit public employees
from holding elective office. A full verification of signatures must
be completed by Aug. 26. Backers have promised to file suit if the
initiative does not make the ballot.