Legislative briefs for May 12, 2003

Monday, May 12, 2003 | 9:11 a.m.

Debate continues over offices

The Assembly will again consider a measure to combine the elected state offices of treasurer and controller.

Assembly Joint Resolution 16 -- which specifies the treasurer shall conduct the duties of the controller -- was introduced Friday and sent to the Ways and Means Committee.

Because the bill would require a constitutional change, it would have to pass the Legislature twice and be approved by a vote of the people before it could take effect.

Although neither current Treasurer Brian Krolicki nor Controller Kathy Augustine would be affected by the measure, they have competing views on the bill.

Krolicki said that while the controller's function is still critical, "the ability to do it in one shop is what's done in corporate America."

He said the move is without financial risk and could bring projected savings of $500,000 if the controller's office is merged into his.

Augustine said she can find no such cost savings, and that the trend nationwide is to merge treasurer's offices into controller's offices.

Buckley takes turn as speaker

Assembly Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, took a historic turn at the speaker's lectern Friday, becoming just the third woman to serve as speaker.

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, sat at his desk in the chambers to speak on a resolution marking Henderson's 50th anniversary. Because Speaker Pro Tem Wendell Williams, D-North Las Vegas, was absent, Buckley was next in line.

When Assemblyman John Oceguera, D-North Las Vegas, rose to make a motion, Buckley cut his microphone with a smile, saying: "I've always wanted to do that."

Buckley presided over a lengthy resolution file and the amendments of 16 bills.

In 1997 then-Speaker Pro Tem Jan Evans had occasion to serve as speaker. Evans and then co-Speaker Pro Tem Sandra Tiffany served as speaker in 1995.