Group says money bought legislature influence, campaign finance reforms needed

Brendan Riley

Monday, June 8, 1998 | 10:29 a.m.

CARSON CITY - Casinos, labor, utilities-mining, business and construction made "a sure-fire bet" by contributing heavily to lawmakers serving during the 1997 session, the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada says.

PLAN's "Cashing-In" report shows the five industries or organizations accounted for just over $2 million, or more than 70 percent, of identified contributions. Leaders of the reform-minded group said that demonstrates the need for fundamental changes such as public financing of campaigns.

"Special interests in Nevada are taking over," PLAN state director Bob Fulkerson said Monday, adding that public financing would force candidates to "beat the bushes and work the streets."

"We're talking about reinvigorating democracy," he added - while at the same time conceding such a big change in Nevada would take several years.

Paul Brown, PLAN's southern Nevada coordinator, said public funding is being attempted or proposed in several other states, and if done in Nevada the per-capita cost "would be less than a lunch out of a fast-food restaurant."

The dollar amounts listed are based on identified contributions, but the PLAN report noted that 56 percent of campaign contributions in Nevada come from unidentified sources such as small contributors and party caucuses.

A summary of the PLAN report shows:

-GAMBLING: Casinos contributed $671,098 to legislators, or an average $6,670 to Assembly members and an average $18,618 to senators. Lawmakers approved the industry's top six bills, and the resorts got at least a $2.5 million tax break. Those who got the most from the clubs included Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, at $36,500; and Assembly Speaker Joe Dini, D-Yerington, at $21,750.

-LABOR: Organized labor, including teachers, gave $520,705, including an average $8,363 to each Assembly member and $8,070 to each senator. Lawmakers voted with labor on four out of six key bills. Those who got the most from labor included Sen. Valerie Wiener, D-Las Vegas, at $56,177; and Assemblyman Tom Collins, D-North Las Vegas, at $32,431.

-UTILITIES-MINING: Such companies gave $318,150 to lawmakers, including an average $2,574 to Assembly members and an average $10,002 to senators. Lawmakers voted with the industry on three out of four key bills. Those who got the most from utilities-mining included Raggio at $33,000; and Dini at $23,250.

-BUSINESS-RETAIL: These businesses gave $295,713 to legislators, including an average $2,272 to each Assembly member and an average $9,490 to each senator. The lawmakers voted with business-retail on six out of seven key bills. Those who got the most from business-retail included Raggio at $23,500; and Dini at $14,600.

-CONSTRUCTION: Construction gave $225,599 to legislators, including an average $2,176 to Assembly members and an average $6,224 to each senator. Lawmakers voted with the industry on four out of six key bills. Most construction money went to Raggio with $21,000; and Dini with $10,500.