Legislative briefs for April 5, 2001

Thursday, April 5, 2001 | 10:50 a.m.

Special projects given the ax

Four bills -- two of them that would provide state money to special projects in Clark County -- were killed by the Assembly Ways and Means Committee Wednesday as it started to deal with a long list of requests from local governments or private groups for finances.

Committee Chairman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, said there are a lot of other bills that will die in the near future. "As you know, Ways and Means is the black hole," he said. "Bills come in here but sometimes bills never get out."

Those voted down were:

* Assembly Bill 71, for $11.5 million for a new school youth services center and gym at Spring Mountain Youth Camp.

* Assembly Bill 216, for $200,000 to the state Division of Economic Development to attempt to lure biotechnological industry to Nevada.

* Assembly Bill 269, for $195,000 to restore the adobe building at Floyd Lamb State Park.

* Assembly Bill 288, which sought $399,250 to pay for improvements to the fairgrounds at Panaca and Caliente.

Senate approves joint resolution

The Senate Wednesday approved a resolution urging the U.S. State Department to approve creation of a Mexican consul in Las Vegas to help with the problems of the growing Hispanic population and the increasing number of tourists from Mexico.

Sen. Jon Porter, R-Henderson, said there are 302,000 Hispanics living in Clark County, 22 percent of the population. Additionally, he said, there are 300,000 tourists a year from Mexico.

Committee OKs unlimited audit

The Assembly Ways and Means Committee brushed aside requests for amendments and approved a bill Wednesday for an unlimited audit of the University and Community College System of Nevada.

Assembly Bill 26 provides that the legislative auditor will examine the full system, including construction projects, athletic programs, host accounts and use of investment income. There have been allegations of mismanagement and other problems at various sites in the school system.