Editorial: Connecting to www.waste.com

Thursday, Feb. 26, 1998 | 10:46 a.m.

A recent survey discovered that half of the new $6,000 laptop computers bought for Nevada state legislators are collecting dust.

Only 31 of the 63 state legislators turned on their taxpayer-bought computers from Jan. 8 to Feb. 23 of this year. One of the stated reasons the computers were bought was that legislators could communicate better with their constituents through e-mail. So, most Nevadans would reason that the revelation of inactivity would prompt some self-examination by the legislators: Should taxpayer dollars be spent on expensive equipment if it's not going to be used?

Instead, Sen. Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas, suggested Tuesday that the Legislature buy even more laptop computers. He believes the laptops that aren't being used should be sold to state agencies and, in turn, the Legislature should use the money from the sale to buy more advanced personal computers for legislators during the next legislative session.

Talk about throwing good money after bad. The computers apparently did get a workout by most lawmakers when the 1997 Legislature was in session, but half of them apparently decided to put their computers in mothballs after they returned home from Carson City. Since the Nevada Legislature meets only once every two years, and the legislative session lasts just about six months, we wonder if taxpayers are getting what they paid for.

Since the computers aren't being fully used, legislators should consider less expensive options. Computers today can become outdated within a year, so some businesses are turning to leasing, which allows them to get the benefit of the latest models without incurring the cost of buying new ones. At Tuesday's subcommittee hearing on computer applications, Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, raised the possibility of leasing.

Too often, high-tech equipment is viewed as a toy and not as a tool. And anytime new technology is purchased, especially a computer system, those unfamiliar with it sometimes are afraid to use it. But it doesn't make much sense buying a $6,000 computer that half the legislators only use for six months every two years.

This is one case where the Legislature should use the same principles as the business community when it comes to buying expensive equipment: Before making further purchases, examine whether the equipment is even needed and look at other financing options that may prove more cost-effective.