Lobbyists open wallets for parties

Monday, March 19, 2001 | 10:36 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- More than $53,000 was spent in February on welcoming parties for state legislators.

At least 12 receptions, lunches or dinners were staged by various lobbying groups, not counting nearly $3,000 spent by individual lobbyists to wine and dine lawmakers. The biennial session started Feb. 5.

Also not included in the report is a welcome party hosted by Gov. Kenny Guinn.

A preliminary report of lobbyist expenditures by the Nevada Legislative Counsel Bureau shows the University of Nevada, Reno, and Nevada Taxpayer Association shelled out the most money for their functions.

The final report for the first month of lobbyist activity is expected later this week.

UNR spent $13,380 to put on its biennial Blue and Silver Dinner, while the Nevada Taxpayers Association paid $9,672 for its event.

The amounts spent for other welcoming parties:

* The Nevada Mining Association, $8,141.

* The Nevada Pro-Education Alliance, a group of chambers of commerce and businesses that were opposed to the failed teachers' tax initiative, spent $7,119. In addition, the group reported spending $2,000 to host "Chamber Day at the Capitol."

* The Nevada Credit Union League, $2,814.

* The Nevada Broadcasters Association, $2,500.

* The Nevada Press Association for an open house at its new headquarters, $2,140.

* Shell Energy and Coral Energy, $2,233.

* A cocktail reception hosted by lobbyist Harvey Whittemore, $1,300.

* The Humboldt River Basin Water Authority, $715.

* A reception for Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., reported by Tim Crowley of the Nevada Mining Association for $978.

* The Sheriff's & Police Chiefs reception, $842.

Groups are not required to track which legislators attend their events, but individual entertainment is reported.

Preliminary figures show that Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, and freshman Assemblyman John Oceguera, D-Las Vegas, led the list in accepting free meals, entertainment or gifts from lobbyists.

Lobbyists reported spending $312 on Schneider and $196 on Oceguera.

Of the 673 lobbyists registered, only 105 reported spending money entertaining lawmakers.

Joyce Newman of the Utility Shareholders Association of Nevada reported the highest spending at $369. Of that, $200 was spent taking Schneider and Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, and their guests to the Nevada Taxpayer Association Dinner.

Next at $303 was Berlyn Miller of Las Vegas, who represents the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, Nevada Contractors Association, Nevada Development Authority, Anglogold North America and WD Schock Co.

Following Miller was Bill Gregory at $295. He represents 15 clients, including the Howard Hughes Corp., Nevada Car Rental Association, Clark County, the Associated Builders and Contractors of Southern Nevada and Yellow-Checker-Star Cab Co.