Technology has its drawbacks for some legislators

Larry Henry

Tuesday, June 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- This story, you can chalk up to the disadvantages of modern technology.

Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, said the Legislature should supplement its computerized tote board with old-fashioned blackboards -- including eraser dust.

He raised the issue during floor proceedings last week and again on Monday.

Prior to the 1997 session, bills being discussed were tracked with chalk or magnetic boards, but now a multimillion dollar electric system performs the task.

Coffin's complaint is that the electronic board can't hold enough information, and with the session rushing to an expected July 4 adjournment, important legislation is bound to be sneaked through.

"I'm just bringing up a concern that we need to make the last two weeks of the session open to the public," he said in an interview.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, has suspended the rules, meaning that bills can pop up on the board for a vote in a moment's notice.

That became painfully evident Monday, when a photocopied "second-agenda" delivered to the Senate chamber two hours after the start of Monday's session included a bill that conflicted with one the Legislature had already debated.

On Monday, Coffin took a not-too-subtle dig at Raggio. He gave reporters a $1.99 magnetic tote board -- the kind people stick on their refrigerators.

Raggio said he has taken note of Coffin's concern, but that it's up to the Senate staff whether to use the old method in addition to the new.

Senate Secretary Jan Thomas, who stands at the front of the chamber and helps direct traffic, voted Coffin's idea down.

She said the old boards are no longer around and that they aren't very handy anyway.

Thomas told Coffin every effort will be made to provide earlier copies of the legislative agenda.