Nevada Assembly GOP warns its own members to unite

LAS VEGAS — Nevada Republican Party leaders have passed a resolution designed to end dissension within the ranks of the Assembly GOP caucus.

The resolution, approved Saturday by the party’s state executive board, calls on Assembly Republicans to unite behind the caucus leadership or face recall elections.

The resolution expresses concern that moderate caucus members could join with Assembly Democrats to force a new leadership team when the session begins Feb. 2, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported.

The Nevada GOP “will support any efforts, up to and including recall, to hold any (caucus) member who fails to support their leadership accountable,” the resolution states.

The resolution also urges outgoing Assembly Minority Leader Pat Hickey, R-Reno, to “set an honorable example for his fellow legislators” by supporting the Republican leadership.

Hickey, who was passed over by his Republican colleagues for the speaker position, did not respond to requests for comment Sunday.

The GOP caucus has been in turmoil since Republicans captured control of the lower house in November for the first time since 1985. The GOP now enjoys a 25-17 edge.

Assembly Speaker-designate Ira Hansen stepped down under pressure from Republican Gov. Brian Sandoval after receiving widespread criticism over past remarks about blacks, gays and women.

New Speaker-designate John Hambrick, R-Las Vegas, last week stripped Assemblywoman Michele Fiore of her Taxation Committee chairmanship, but then reinstated her the next day.

The Internal Revenue Service has 45 pending liens totaling more than $1 million against Fiore and her companies for unpaid taxes dating to 2003, the Review-Journal reported.

The liens involve unpaid employee payroll taxes, which are supposed to be paid to the IRS every three months, according to documents filed with the Clark County recorder’s office.

The outstanding liens against the two limited liability corporations owned by Fiore and her mother total more than $729,000. The IRS also has 11 pending liens against Fiore for more than $33,000.

The Las Vegas Republican, who also is Assembly majority leader, has said she will publicly address the lien issue on Tuesday.