LVRJ: Sandoval, Laxalt clash over sage grouse lawsuit

Gov. Brian Sandoval and Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt

(Sandra Chereb, Las Vegas Review-Journal) – Nevada Attorney General Adam Laxalt joined a federal lawsuit, Thursday, challenging new land use regulations to protect sage grouse, drawing a terse response from Gov. Brian Sandoval who said the state’s top attorney was acting in his own “personal capacity” and does not represent the state in the matter.

Laxalt was quick to respond to the slap, calling the governor’s statement “troubling” and “wrong.”

“The state of Nevada has joined this lawsuit,” Laxalt said, adding “the attorney general is the only constitutional officer authorized by Nevada to intervene or to appear in litigation about public lands in the name of the state.”

“The attorney general’s office has done so,” he said.

The AG’s office said it had lengthy meetings with governor staff members before the suit was filed.

Filing of the suit and the ensuing exchange between the constitutional offices underscored a simmering rift between Sandoval and Laxalt, both Republicans, who have clashed before over suing the federal government.

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