Rory Reid pledges reform if elected governor

By David McGrath Schwartz

Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 | 2:08 p.m.

Clark County Commission Chairman Rory Reid pledged that if elected governor he would make his schedule public and hold weekly press conferences, part of a series of ethics reforms he released today.

Reid, a Democrat, said Nevada needs transparency and accountability measures for public officials to reassure businesses looking to move to the state.

"Nevada has significant problems. We have to create the best environment to build the economy and create jobs," he said. "Part of that is having a political system that people can have confidence in."

Reid, who is a partner at prominent law firm of Lionel, Sawyer and Collins, said he would resign from the firm if he wins election. He said that since most elected positions are part-time jobs, from city council members to county commissioners to legislators, "conflicts are bound to happen. It's how you deal with the conflicts. You need to disclose and in certain situations, abstain."

Among the reforms in his plan:

- Release his official schedule online and to the press. He said in the interview that this includes listing who he has meetings scheduled with.

- Hold weekly press conferences to answer questions.

- Institute a two-year waiting period before departing officials or employees can represent private interests before their former agencies or boards.

- Increase funding for the Nevada Ethics Commission, and eliminate rules that allow public officials who violate ethics laws to get off without a penalty if the commission finds that the violations are "non-willful."