The session winds down

As lawmakers in Carson City lurch toward next week's finish line -- look for the all-important redistricting issue to be kicked to the courts -- the legislation begins to pile up on Gov. Brian Sandoval's desk.

On Thursday, after vetoing a misguided measure that would have watered down the value of a Nevada high school diploma, he signed a handful of worthy bills. Among them:

-- Assembly Bill 98, sponsored by Las Vegas Democrat Tick Segerblom. It would allow doctors and veterinarians from other states to provide volunteer help in Nevada during emergencies. Why would we turn away such help?

-- Assembly Bill 132, a committee bill. It would allow city councils in Clark County municipalities, including Las Vegas, to decide whether to coordinate their elections with other even-numbered year balloting. Currently, municipal elections are held in off years during the springtime and turnout is often minuscule. Making the switch might increase interest and participation. Besides, why shouldn't this decision be vested in these local boards rather than the Legislature?

-- Senate Bill 441, a committee measure. It would allow the Department of Motor Vehicles to contract with private companies to put kiosks in various public places at which drivers could complete their DMV business for an additional fee. This should certainly help reduce lines at the dreaded DMV offices.

-- Senate Bill 157, sponsored by Valerie Wiener, D-Las Vegas, It would allow politicians to donate unused campaign contributions to state or local government programs. Fine. But why aren't private-sector charities included as potential recipients? It would also be nice to find some way to ensure donors are made aware that their money could end up in the maws of the state bureaucracy.