Assemblywoman Ellen Spiegel begins her first legislative session Feb. 2. “Decisions made by this Legislature will have a long and far-reaching impact,” she says.
Monday, Jan. 26, 2009 | 2 a.m.
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Ellen Spiegel, a Henderson Democrat, won a seat in the Assembly in November. After going through orientation, a special legislative session in December and the governor’s State of the State address, she begins her first regular legislative session on Feb. 2.
Spiegel used to go by the name Ellen Barre-Spiegel, but streamlined it for the campaign. “With all due respect to my parents, we couldn’t get it to look right on the campaign signs and literature.” She is a consultant on workers’ compensation issues.
For her work during the 120-day session she will be paid $7,200.
And, undoubtedly, she will learn to find Adele’s, the Carson City landmark restaurant known to some as the after-hours Legislative Building.
Why did you run for political office?
I was whining too much. I was saying, “They shouldn’t do it that way, they should do this. What are they thinking?” So I decided to run.
Has the process met your expectations?
I hadn’t expected how much time I’d devote to it right away. As busy as I was during the campaign, I’ve devoted three times more now. I would say 60 hours a week.
Have you gotten a paycheck yet?
$422.09.
Any memorable correspondence?
I got a letter from a senior citizen in Tonopah with Parkinson’s disease. She heard we were considering closing a prison camp there. She said the inmates shovel snow from people’s driveways during the winter.
If we closed the camps, she wouldn’t be able to shop for groceries, go to the doctor. Her lifeline to the outside world would be cut off all winter. What that said to me is every action has unforeseen consequences.
Some are saying this will be a historic legislative session because of the state’s fiscal crisis. Has that sunk in?
It feels like a big deal. Because of what’s going on with the economy and the budget crisis, decisions made by this Legislature will have a long and far-reaching impact.
Have the lobbyists descended on you yet?
People do want to wine and dine you, but I don’t think much of it. It’s not going to sway a vote.
Going out for lunch or dinner or coffee, I pay my own way. I mean I’ve heard of Adele’s, but I don’t even know where it is.
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