Cuts to lawmakers’ travel tabled

Friday, April 25, 2003 | 10:58 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A legislative panel on Thursday postponed voting on proposals to cut lawmakers' travel and membership dues to national organizations.

Lorne Malkiewich, director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau that provides staff for the Legislature, proposed allowing lawmakers to take only one trip a year to a national meeting, rather than the current two. But the Legislative Commission, composed of an equal number of senators and assembly members, split on the issue.

Malkiewich said his proposal would save $100,000 next fiscal year and $75,000 the following year. The proposed change, he said, would not apply to lawmakers in leadership positions or chairmen of committees in national organizations, such as the National Conference of State Legislatures and the Council of State Governments.

Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, opposed the policy, saying it would hurt the freshmen who do not have campaign funds to use for travel. She suggested the commission adopt a policy that would have the state pay travel expenses and registration to a second meeting, with the lawmaker picking up other costs, such as meals and a room. Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, proposed that the Legislature suspend its membership to national organizations. That would save $300,000 to $400,000 in dues a year.

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, said he wanted to check with leaders of the organizations on the impacts before any decision is made by the Legislative Commission, which he chairs.

Sen. Mark Amodei, R-Carson City, suggested a vote be delayed until next month, and the commission agreed.