Editorial: Lobbying contract is a bad deal all around

Thursday, Feb. 22, 2001 | 9:02 a.m.

It is puzzling that the Clark County Commission this week jettisoned its lobbying contract with Alcade and Fay, a firm charged with fighting federal efforts to place high-level nuclear waste in Nevada. Instead commissioners gave a $60,000 lobbying contract to a Washington firm, Cassidy and Associates.

This was a highly unusual decision. No other lobbying firm was considered to see which one would offer the best services. In contrast, the city of Las Vegas recently awarded its federal lobbying contract through a competitive bid. Commissioner Myrna Williams, who voted against the contract, was correct to note her concerns about changing lobbyists at such a critical juncture in the state's battle against Yucca Mountain. This hasty decision wasn't warranted.

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