Casinos campaign donations ban dies

CARSON CITY -- The bill to stop the casino industry from contributing to political campaigns has died quietly in the Senate Government Affairs Committee.

Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, who sponsored Senate Bill 86, could not get a second to his motion Friday to approve the bill, which had been opposed by the gaming industry and unions.

Neal said the industry wields too much power,but opponents said nobody should lose the right to support choices in political campaigns.

The bill is dead unless Neal can get enough committee members to revive it, but that appears unlikely.

The committee also killed Sen. Bob Coffin's proposed constitutional amendment to allow the Legislature to hold sessions outside of Carson City. Senate Joint Resolution 5 would have permitted lawmakers to convene for up to 20 days during a session at places outside the capital.

Coffin argued there should be some provision in the Constitution to allow the Legislature to convene outside of Carson City in an emergency. At present, the Constitution allows sessions outside the capital city only in cases of war.

Coffin, saying an earthquake could topple the Legislature and other state buildings, called for a clause in the Constitution to move the site. But opponents said the Legislature would be able to find other quarters in Carson City if the legislative building were destroyed.

Voting for the Coffin plan were Las Vegas Democrats Dina Titus and Terry Care.

The committee approved, with Titus dissenting, Senate Bill 160, the bill to require Senate confirmation of appointees of the governor.

Gov. Kenny Guinn has already announced his opposition, as did governors in the past.

SB160 would require Senate confirmation of the directors of the departments of business and industry, conservation and natural resources, human resources, motor vehicles and public safety, prisons, and taxation. The bill would also cover appointments to the state Gaming Control Board, Parole Board and Public Utilities Commission, as well as the appointment of the chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission.

If the person was not confirmed, he or she would be out of a job immediately.

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