Manendo top spending target of lobbyists

Wednesday, April 25, 2001 | 11:22 a.m.

Assemblyman Mark Manendo has become the most popular legislator this session. That is, at least with the lobbyists.

Manendo, D-Las Vegas, isn't a committee chairman, but that hasn't prevented lobbyists from spending $603 wining and dining him during the first two months of the Legislature.

Manendo, an expensive date for some lobbyists, was surprised that so much money has been spent taking him to lunch and dinner.

David Pursiano, who represents the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association, reported that he spent $200 taking Manendo to dinner at Adele's in Carson City.

Manendo said he ordered lobster and a petite filet and that he and Pursiano split a bottle of wine.

"I was still hungry when I left there," Manendo said. "They give you small portions, but the food is good."

Deborah Cahill, lobbyist for the Nevada State Education Association, reported that she spent $127 on dinner for Manendo at Glen Eagles.

"How can one dinner cost that much?" he asked. He said he ate either steak or fish and split a bottle of wine. He didn't have any drinks, coffee or dessert.

Manendo also rang up a $120 bill at Glen Eagles, compliments of Las Vegas lobbyist Bill Gregory, who represents more than 10 clients.

The spending list, released Tuesday, shows that Assemblyman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, chairman of the Assembly Ways and Means Committee, was second at $477, and Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, was third with $428 spent on him by lobbyists.

Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, wined and dined to the tune of $396 during the first two months of the session, topped the list in the Senate. Sen. Ray Shaffer, D-North Las Vegas, followed at $354.

Gregory, according to the report, was the top spending lobbyist, shelling out $502 during the first two months of the session. Berlyn Miller, who represents the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, the Nevada Contractors Association and others, reported spending $453; Cahill was third ($369).

Of the more than 740 lobbyists who filed reports, 90 percent said they spent nothing entertaining lawmakers. For example, Harvey Whittemore, regarded as one of the more successful lobbyists, did not buy dinners, lunches or anything else for legislators.

And a number of lawmakers didn't accept a single free meal or a gift. Senate members who fall into this category are Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas; William O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas; Jon Porter, R-Henderson; Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, and Valerie Wiener, D-Las Vegas.

Assembly members who didn't take a free meal, attend a lobbyist's party or accept a gift included Sharron Angle, R-Reno; John Carpenter, R-Elko; Barbara Cegavske, R-Las Vegas; Jerry Calborn, D-Las Vegas; Tome Collins, D-North Las Vegas; Dawn Gibbons, R-Reno; Lynn Hettrick, R-Minden, and Kathy Von Tobel, R-Las Vegas.