Assembly members say university officials untruthful in testimony

Saturday, June 28, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

The University and Community College System of Nevada has opposed the bill that gives county commissions the power to contract outside the extension services if they feel its programs don't meet their needs.

University officials say it throws funding for the service, operated statewide by the University of Nevada Reno, into question and could endanger the program which employs 150 people.

Supporters say the service is providing a lot of social programs that may serve urban Nevada but not the needs of farmers and ranchers who the program was originally designed to serve.

During a subcommittee hearing on AB537 and again during a Ways and Means Committee review of the bill, Elwood Miller of the extension service said extension members were informed about the bill. He denied causing a deluge of calls by accusing lawmakers of trying to kill the service.

But Assemblyman Brian Sandoval, R-Reno, says two e-mail messages from Miller to nearly 70 extension agents and employees went way beyond simply informing people. He said those messages accused his subcommittee of bias and urged everyone to call lawmakers and protest.

Ways and Means Chairman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, agreed with Sandoval. He said many protest calls were received, and all the callers echoed the belief that lawmakers were out to kill the extension service.

Similar sentiments were expressed by Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, and Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville.

But UNR President Joe Crowley, who testified with Miller in Ways and Means, denied there was any deception. He said Miller's testimony was that they had not told anyone "this would put the extension out of business."

Crowley also said the issue is moot because a compromise is in the works.