With so much on their plates, lawmakers debate tags

Erin Neff

Wednesday, May 9, 2001 | 10:06 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Legislature has just 27 days to redraw all political boundaries, slice $121 million from the governor's budget and decide what to do about the state's tax structure.

But the Assembly spent an hour Tuesday on whether to authorize the design and creation of four special license plates.

Two measures failed, one passed and another grew so contentious that the speaker twice asked voters on each side of a procedural measure to stand and be counted.

Senate Bill 264, sponsored by Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, would have authorized a special plate to commemorate nuclear testing, with proceeds from sales of the issue going to the Nevada Test Site Historical Preservation.

But the Assembly failed to reach a two-thirds majority, and the measure failed, 23-19.

"I think at some point we've spent too much time on this, other than the more important stuff," Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, said during the lengthy debate.

David Humke, R-Reno, said, "Some things just maybe should not be remembered."

David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, kept with his consistent opposition to any special plate by agreeing with Speaker Richard Perkins, a Henderson police officer, that law enforcement officers have difficulty identifying the various plates.

Vonne Chowning, D-North Las Vegas, argued that the plate simply commemorated a past event and "in no way is to support the future of atomic testing."

Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, voted for the measure even though a proposed design did not accompany the bill.

"Is it a hole in the ground, a mushroom cloud, a Geiger counter?" Beers asked.

Another plate, to benefit the Outside Las Vegas Foundation -- which works to preserve federal lands -- drew even fewer votes and failed 21-21. A two-thirds majority is required for passage.

Speaker Emeritus Joe Dini, D-Yerington, proved his lasting political power by lobbying support for a plate to support construction, maintenance and promotion of the Virginia & Truckee Railroad.

Ten years ago the Legislature approved a $5 million appropriation to reconstruct the historic rail line. But when backers couldn't raise the necessary $15 million in matching money by last year, Gov. Kenny Guinn pulled the original grant.

"It's been waiting too long," Dini said. "This train's got to roll."

Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, agreed. "There are a lot of railroad buffs who will buy this plate. This would be well used money and a well-deserved plate."

The measure passed 37-5. Perkins, Giunchigliani, Goldwater, Doug Bache, D-Las Vegas, and Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, opposed the measure.

The fourth proposal -- a plate to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Las Vegas -- raised so much discussion that David Parks, D-Las Vegas, moved to place it on the clerk's desk for clarification.

A voice vote on his request was too close to call. The yes votes were asked to stand, but the clerk couldn't count a majority. Then the no votes stood. Then the yes votes stood again.

After the no votes stood a second time and proved they had won the procedural vote, the Assembly required a recess to sort it out. Lawmakers were to reconsider the Las Vegas plate today.