Raggio says legislators need ‘fresh run’ at tax debate

Wednesday, June 4, 2003 | 11:17 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, told lobbyists Tuesday to back off in pressing their clients' interests in the tax debate and he said the issue will not be decided in a "smoke-filled room."

Raggio, in opening the special session of the Legislature on Tuesday, said lobbyists have had their say during the 120-day regular session that did not yield a decision on tax increases. He said it was now time for the legislators to step back and make a "fresh run."

Sen. Terry Care, D-Las Vegas, said he did not want to be "approached by any lobbyists on a substantive subject."

"We have all heard the issues," he said.

If he wants information, Care said, he will approach the lobbyists.

Sen. Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas, echoed Care's comments. There was intense lobbying during the regular session among business, gaming, education and special industry groups in trying to fashion or avoid a tax plan, he said. Some legislators nicknamed the lobbyists "the carpet sharks" because, they said, lawmakers couldn't walk the halls without being the target of a lobbyist feeding frenzy.

Another thing that will be different about the special session is the whole Senate will consider a tax plan, rather than referring it to a select committee.

All will be involved in the discussion and votes on the plan, Raggio said. He wants the Senate to "operate without a lot of outside undue influence."

On Las Vegas ONE's "Face to Face with Jon Ralston," Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, said, "People were talking about (needing) shark repellent to get to the bathroom."

"They're tired of getting pushed" by lobbyists, Hettrick said.

Raggio said the additional legislative work means "delaying a honeymoon," and he added that he doesn't "want to go into a second and a third special session." Raggio was married April 27.

Hettrick said he also wants to see Raggio go on his honeymoon, but he said there weren't the votes for the proposed tax increase.