Study cites legislators’ gaming ties

Monday, May 22, 2000 | 11:49 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Nevada ranks near the middle of states in requiring state legislators to make public their financial ties, says the Center for Public Integrity, which singled out five lawmakers-attorneys for their association with the gambling industry.

The center zeroed in on Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, for receiving casino donations in his election campaigns and then voting on bills to give gambling clubs a tax break on complimentary tokens and restricting casinos in neighborhoods but allowing them in master-planned communities.

James denied any conflict of interest. "I don't have any gaming interests that affect my vote whatsoever," James told the center, based in Washington, D.C.

The organization, supported by contributions from foundations, individuals, revenue from sale of publications and editorial consulting with news organizations, ranked Nevada 27th in the nation in making basic information on state legislators' private income, assets, and conflicts of interest available to the public.

The study, called "Hidden Agenda" and released Sunday, said because of legal loopholes and weak disclosure laws, some states have fewer identifiable conflicts of interest.

"For example, Nevada lawmakers can hide information on investments and officer-directorship positions because of vaguely worded questions on the state's disclosure form. Nevada lawmakers do not have to disclose any client information."

The study, authored by Ken Vogel, found 6 percent of the lawmakers sat on committees that regulated their professional or business interest; 10 percent had financial ties to business or organizations that lobby state government and 20 percent received income from a government agency other than the state Legislature.

New financial disclosure forms filed with the state Ethics Commission show that 24 of the 63 legislators or their spouses worked for employers that received state appropriation such as school districts, the University and Community System of Nevada or local governments. The Nevada Legislature meets for 120 days every two years and lawmakers received $7,800 in salary for the session plus per diem expenses. Most of them have regular employment during the off-session.

The center for public integrity questioned the actions of James and Sens. Terry Care, D-Las Vegas, and Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, and Assemblyman Greg Brower, R-Reno. It also referred to Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, whose law firm represents numerous gaming clients. But he did not vote on the bills considered by the center.

The center hints at conflicts of interest but does not outright say there has been any. It does suggest weakness in the law, which says, "Disclose each source of your income or that of any member of your household. No listing of individual clients or patients is required, but if that is the case, a general source such as 'professional services' must be disclosed."