Chancellor hires outside lobbyist for Legislature

Jennifer Knight

Friday, July 12, 2002 | 8:56 a.m.

Nevada's university system has hired a high-powered lobbying group to try to secure more state dollars during the next legislative session.

Jane Nichols, chancellor of the University and Community College System of Nevada, told regents this week that she has signed a year-long contract with lobbying firm Kummer Kaempfer Bonner & Renshaw for $127,500 to advocate higher education issues at the 2003 Legislature.

In return, Nichols expects to get better access to lawmakers, help in planning strategy and daily updates on pending legislation.

"It is critical that we have an effective voice in the Legislature to represent us," Nichols said. "A lot happens in a very short time, and legislators depend on good lobbyists to give them necessary information."

The Las Vegas-based firm will have six people working on university system issues, with veteran lobbyist John Pappageorge taking the lead.

Pappageorge has lobbied in Nevada for 19 years, and Kummer Kaempfer is the state's fourth largest contributor to legislative races.

During the last election cycle, the lobbying firm donated $12,750 to legislative campaigns. Some of the beneficiaries were: Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson; Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas; and Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, according to the political watchdog group Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada.

Pappageorge said that a good reputation, rather than contributions, is the key to gaining access to politicians.

"Sure political contributions help, but you can put that in any context you want," Pappageorge said. "I look at political contributions as a way to get the people in that you think should be in there."

This marks the first time Nichols has gone outside of the university system for legislative help.

For the 2001-03 biennium, the system used former University of Nevada, Reno President Joe Crowley as its lobbyist. During that period, the system got 81 percent of its budget approved. The goal this session is to bring the level of funding to 90 percent of the requested budget.

Most regents were supportive of Nichols' decision.

"As far as I'm concerned, it sounds like a sensible decision and I support her," Regent Howard Rosenberg said.

"If we did it ourselves it costs three times as much and it would be ineffective," Regent Mark Alden said. "We do not automatically bring home money. We've got to pray for it."

Regent Steve Sisolak questioned the cost.

"Whether or not we should have a lobbyist in the first place is something I question," Sisolak said. "I don't know where we're getting the money from."

John Cummings, a lobbyist for the Community College of Southern Nevada, welcomed the newcomers.

"I think my role as an advocate for CCSN will be strengthened by the addition of the new lobbyist for the university system," Cummings said. "They certainly have a great number of contacts and relations that they have built over the years."