Lawmakers provide economic boom for Carson

CARSON CITY - This quiet little community on the east slope of the Sierra Nevada is about to get an economic shot in the arm courtesy of Nevada's 1999 legislative session.

The expected influx of cash for Nevada's capital city isn't the result of a generous appropriations bill or special state program. It's a welcome side effect of hundreds of new residents descending on hotels, apartments, restaurants and bars during the session, scheduled to begin Feb. 1.

"The legislative session is like bringing 50 to 100-plus residents into town," said Larry Osborne, executive vice president of the city's Chamber of Commerce. "It will generate an increase in consumer spending. You see it across the board, but the biggest increase is in restaurants and bars."

Osborne added that up to 600 lobbyists could arrive during any given session.

The Assembly members, senators, lobbyists and staffers who hit town every two years account for a maximum 5 percent increase in sales tax for this city of about 50,000 people, Osborne said Tuesday.

"It's just icing on the cake," he added. "Carson City businesses have to learn to live without the Legislature during the period between the sessions."

Tim McConnell, who works at the City Cafe Bakery, said he has seen a noticeable increase as legislators or lobbyists order sweet rolls for their morning meetings.

"In years past, I've seen a 10 percent monthly increase in sales," McConnell said. "Some years are more than others."

Mary Deschene, manager of the Senator Apartments two blocks from the Legislative Building, said she sees about a 10 percent decrease in vacancies when lawmakers come to town.

"Back in the late '70s and early '80s there was a group of about 25 that would stay here during the session," Deschene says.

Now, she added, "If I had to depend on them, I'd starve."

In the dark interior of the Timbers bar, a short walk from the lawmakers' building, the coming session is anticipated with mild good cheer.

"I think they just like to get out of the public eye a little bit and go to a little bar off the main road," bar manager Bill Bendle said.

But Bendle said his business increases only about 5 percent, adding, "If they didn't have the session, we wouldn't miss it."

"We're looking forward to the guys coming back into town," said Jim Walsh, a bartender at Mo & Sluggo's Bar and Grill just down the street.

The anticipated economic boon could be less significant than in previous years because the 1997 Legislature limited all future sessions to just 120 days. The 1997 session ran a record 169 days.

But Dwight Millard of the Plaza Motel remained upbeat about the influx of people - who account for a third of his business and help him get through what otherwise might be a slow winter.

"The shortened session actually increased our business because people would rather stay with us because it's easier," he said. "It ends up being cheaper to rent a room that is already set up than to rent a house and all the furniture and put in all the phone lines and have the power turned on and all that."

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