Debate over campaign mudslinging gets messy

Larry Henry

Thursday, May 8, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- It figures that the dirtiest Senate fight so far this session would be about campaign mudslinging.

That's what happened Wednesday, as legislators bickered over a provision to fine candidates who lie about their opponents.

The Senate approved the measure along straight partisan lines, with all 12 Republicans voting yes and each of the nine Democrats in opposition.

The amendment allows the state Ethics Commission to fine libelous candidates up to $30,000.

It will be added to Senate Bill 215, which requires candidates to report contributions of more than $100, down from the current $500 threshold. A vote on the complete bill is expected Friday.

Democrats said the mudslinging amendment was a "ruse" to kill the larger campaign-contributions bill, which Republicans bottled up last session.

Democrats vow to strip out the mudslinging portion when the full bill hits the Assembly.

"I don't want that used as a reason to kill that bill," Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, said later. She chairs the Elections, Procedures and Ethics Committee, where SB 215 will go for another round of hearings.

Differences will have to be worked out between the Senate and Assembly. If two conference committees fail to agree, the campaign reform bill will die.

Giuchigliani said a separate bill should be created allowing the secretary of state, and not the Ethics Commission, to review complaints. She said the secretary of state is an elected official and more accountable to voters than the governor-appointed Ethics Commission.

Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, arguing that same point on the floor of the Senate earlier, engaged in a sharp exchange with her frequent adversary, Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno.

When Titus said the amendment was a "thinly-veiled ruse to clabber up this bill," Raggio jumped to his feet and angrily interrupted, saying Senate rules forbid legislators from questioning motive.

Later, Raggio said Senate rules also prohibit long-winded speeches, a half-joking comment directed at Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, who spoke well into the lunch hour.

Neal argued in favor of a previous section allowing libelous candidates to be charged with a felony. That portion was removed, but Neal said stringent penalties would restore politicians' plunging reputations.

"We're in line next to used car salesmen," he said. "It's time to elevate our status."