Political notebook: Malpractice won’t be a hot issue for lawmakers

Erin Neff

Friday, Feb. 7, 2003 | 10:10 a.m.

The television ads running in Las Vegas, Reno and Carson City apparently won't be enough to get lawmakers to change the state's new malpractice law.

Keep Our Doctors in Nevada is running the ad campaign hoping to lobby citizens to encourage a change to the measure approved in last summer's special session.

But the petition the group has filed with the Legislature -- which must be acted on in the first 40 days of the session -- probably will go onto the ballot untouched.

Democratic lawmakers in the Assembly said this week they aren't in any rush to change the current $350,000 cap on non-economic damages in jury awards.

"I think it's still in its early stages to see what we want to do," said Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson. "What we did in the special session was agree to legislation the doctors agreed to. We just haven't given it time to work."

Republican proposals to lower the cap, such as one introduced by Assemblyman John Marvel, R-Battle Mountain, probably won't even get a hearing in the Democrat-controlled Assembly.

As for the petition, if the Legislature does not act, it will appear on the ballot in 2004 for voters to decide.

Can you hear me now?

There was lots of discussion in Carson City about cell phone use Thursday during testimony about a bill that would limit city powers to regulate use of the ubiquitous devices.

Curiously, however, the public doesn't have as much access to lawmakers' cell phone numbers as it used to.

The Southwest Gas Nevada Legislative Directory for the 2003 session lists only one number for each of the 63 lawmakers. In past sessions, lawmakers' home, fax and mobile numbers were listed, as were their occupations and family members.

Time's a wastin'

Legislative observers had hoped that lawmakers would give up some of their resolutions this session.

Turns out the restrictions that will limit the days that resolutions can be considered don't take effect until the end of the session.

So this week lawmakers honored Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, for being inducted into the Order of the Four Chaplains. They honored the victims of Sept. 11, 2001, and they marked Ronald Reagan's 92nd birthday Thursday with a resolution full of partisan praise.

More evidence

Anyone who still doubts that Rep. Jim Gibbons will run against Sen. Harry Reid should take note:

Thursday, Gibbons announced that he will serve on the Tactical Air and Land Forces as well as the Terrorism, Unconventional Threats and Capabilities subcommittees of the House Armed Services Committee.

Look for Gibbons to try to bring resources to Nellis Air Force Base and the Naval Air Station in Fallon and then campaign on that record.

Raggio on stage

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio is best known in Clark County as the Reno Republican who wants to shift local tax dollars to the state.

But on stage in Carson City, Raggio is quite the comedian.

During a Tuesday taping of "Face to Face with Jon Ralston" about tax policy, Raggio roasted Ralston a bit during the commercial break.

"Boy this is scintillating," Raggio deadpanned after a segment on taxes with Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson. "Who the hell is going to watch this?"

On Wednesday, Raggio had this comment after a committee staffer was introduced with the news that he has lost 120 pounds since the last session.

"That's what happens when we don't pay people anything," Raggio quipped.

He'll be appearing daily for the next 116 days.