Guinn promises midweek decision on dereg delay

Brendan Riley

Monday, Sept. 25, 2000 | 9:53 a.m.

Gov. Kenny Guinn said Saturday he'll decide by midweek on whether to delay electrical utility deregulation so that Nevada lawmakers can review the issue next year.

The GOP governor also told the Nevada Press Association that a 1999 Nevada law on deregulation, which called for a temporary rate freeze, hasn't been broken despite some recent rate hikes.

That's because the 1999 law can't take effect until he gives the word, Guinn reasoned. The governor already delayed an initial March start-up date, and has been considering a Nov. 1 start-up.

Guinn defended the process as a top legislative Democrat, also at the NPA meeting, criticized what she termed backroom deals that could mean huge electricity bill increases for Nevada consumers.

Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, added that no matter what Guinn does next week, the 2001 Legislature will review the deregulation issue.

Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, repeated the "backroom deal" accusation, and said Nevadans don't want big rate increases of the sort that hit San Diego residents this year under California's deregulation scheme.

On other subjects discussed at an NPA round-table with lawmakers and Nevada journalists:

-State Sen. Mark James, R-Las Vegas, said the current 120-day, every-other-year legislative sessions might not be long enough to handle pressing business. James said lawmakers keep their hand in via interim meetings, but that's not always enough to ward off problems caused by the fact that they're not in regular session.

-Sen. Titus said the 2001 session will be tough because deregulation and reapportionment will be added to an already heavy workload - but she's convinced the work can be completed without the need of a special legislative session that would focus just on reapportionment.

-Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, defended his efforts to help a constituent upset because his photograph had run with a news article on a dispute he had with a high school coach. At Hettrick's request, bill drafters have been trying to come up with a measure that would restrict the use of such photos and still be constitutional. If they can't, Hettrick said he'll drop the plan - but added there's nothing inappropriate about responding to a constituent's request.