Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1998 | 10:56 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- A brief has been filed by attorneys general from 26 states urging the U.S. Supreme Court to review its 1976 ruling that prohibited limiting spending on political campaigns.
Attorney General Frankie Sue Del Papa joined the other states in submitting the "Friend of the Court" brief Tuesday. Secretary of State Dean Heller last week signed on with the National Association of Secretaries of State also urging the court to take another look at its prior ruling.
The case before the Supreme Court involves the city of Cincinnati, which adopted an ordinance in 1995 that imposed limits on spending for city council campaigns. Federal district and appeal courts have struck down the ordinance, but Cincinnati is asking the Supreme Court to review the case.
"Campaign spending is clearly out of control today," Del Papa She said citizen involvement in elections suffers as a result of the runaway spending.
Women's political group opposes Adelson
The Southern Nevada Women's Political Caucus announced its opposition to the advertising campaign of Las Vegas Sands Inc. chairman Sheldon Adelson.
The ads, which cost Adelson over $1 million, are opposed to County Commissioners Erin Kenny and Myrna Williams being re-elected.
"This attempt by Mr. Adelson to buy his own County Commission should frighten and anger women throughout this valley," said Jeanne Maust, the president of the women's caucus. "We are urging women to become involved and actively support the elected women who have worked to improve the standing of women in the community."
Adelson's ads accuse Kenny of overspending and Williams of being involved in back-room deals.
Union officials stump for Democrats
Two national union figures breezed through Las Vegas Tuesday as part of a last-minute drive to get out the vote for union-supported candidates and to thank union members who have mobilized their efforts.
AFL-CIO President John Sweeny and Robert A. Georgine, president of the Building and Construction Trades Department of the AFL-CIO, appeared at a luncheon rally at the Culinary Union Training Center, 707 E. Fremont St.
Appearing at the rally were Sen. Harry Reid, D-Nev., who is being challenged by Rep. John Ensign; Las Vegas Mayor Jan Jones, a Democrat who is running behind Republican Kenny Guinn for governor; and Democrat Shelley Berkley, who is running for Congress against Republican Don Chairez.
Sweeny thanked the precinct walkers, who have contacted 40,000 homes in their drive to get out the vote.
He reiterated the union's support for the Democratic candidates, who include Rose McKinney-James, running for lieutenant governor against Republican Lorraine Hunt.
Sweeny acknowledged "that races seem to be very tight around the country."
He called the races a "classic confrontation" with lots of money being pumped into campaigns against union-endorsed candidates.
But he noted the money may be overcome if 13 million union households, representing some 40 million people, get out and vote.
Sweeney said he is concerned that some members of Congress are "fixated on impeachment proceedings to create confusion and steal the election."
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