An examination of Giunchigliani’s record, from taxes to eminent domain

By Delen Goldberg

Wednesday, May 11, 2011 | 2:05 a.m.

Chris Giunchigliani has tried to move the Las Vegas’ mayoral race from a popularity contest to a political showdown.

She has accused her opponent, Carolyn Goodman, of running on her last name and dodging debates because she has no real understanding of the issues.

Giunchigliani spent 16 years in the Nevada Assembly and is serving her second term as a Clark County commissioner. She cites that 20-year history in government as evidence that she has the experience to lead the city.

“I’m proud of my record. I’m proud of my service,” Giunchigliani says.

That may be. But political records always include controversial decisions, and Giunchigliani’s is no different. What follows is an examination of her record in the Legislature and on the County Commission on an array of issues.

Tax increases

Often labeled by critics as a tax-and-spend Democrat, Giunchigliani says she supports tax increases if needed to protect government services and programs.

As an assemblywoman in 2003, Giunchigliani voted for what was then the largest tax increase in Nevada history, an $836 million package that affected banks, gaming and businesses’ gross receipts. She previously supported several smaller tax increases and is the only mayoral candidate who said she would be open to higher taxes in Las Vegas. (As mayor, Giunchigliani would have no power to raise taxes because Nevada doesn’t have home rule.)

Giunchigliani explained her support of the 2003 tax increases at the time by saying that instead of taxing citizens, the legislation “makes corporations who don’t pay taxes pay their fair share.”

Giunchigliani also pointed out that tax increases can pay for important public works projects, such as the Smith Center for the Performing Arts, which will anchor downtown revitalization. Giunchigliani carried a bill that raised car rental taxes on tourists to help pay for the center. It was modeled after a Northern Nevada bill that used car taxes to pay for construction of a baseball stadium.

“She kind of took us under her wing because she felt this project was really important to the state,” Smith Center Chairman Don Snyder said of Giunchigliani in an interview with VEGAS INC.

The car rental tax has raised more than $100 million for the Smith Center.

Green buildings

This was a well-intentioned bill to make Nevada more environmentally friendly that turned into a $1 billion boondoggle.

In 2005, Giunchigliani wrote legislation that offered property and sales tax breaks to businesses if they met certain green standards for construction.

Giunchigliani hoped to help Nevada businesses while helping the environment.

But the bill was rushed through the Legislature, and no analysis was done about its fiscal consequences. Giunchigliani said she expected far fewer companies to sign on.

Casinos and developers quickly figured out that by spending $1 on green construction, they could reap $2 or $3 in abatements. Lobbyists worked to subvert the intent of the bill and maximize returns for their clients. Tax concessions cost the state upward of $1 billion before the law was amended in 2007.

“That hit everybody’s pocket unlike anyone expected,” said Giunchigliani, who came up with the idea after hearing a radio story about similar programs in other states. “But I stand by it. It was a good idea. It got abused. Unfortunately, people used politics to make it less effective.”

Advocacy issues

Giunchigliani has carried dozens of bills in the Legislature and on the Clark County Commission to level the playing field for women and minorities.

She pushed bills to legislate a fair wage in Nevada, create more opportunities for women and minorities in construction industries and require car dealerships to provide materials in Spanish. She sponsored a bill to reintegrate felons into the community and has written several measures intended to enhance the quality of life for gays, lesbians and transgender residents.

Eminent domain

Giunchigliani fought for several years against the gaming industry, business interests and Las Vegas to change the state’s eminent domain law.

She drafted a bill, which passed during the 1999 Legislative session, to require redevelopment agencies in Clark and Washoe counties to publicly explain why eminent domain is necessary and disclose what private parties may benefit from government seizure of land. The law requires governments to pay costs to residents who are forced to move and set aside a portion of redevelopment budgets to improve affected neighborhoods.

Giunchigliani drafted the bill after downtown residents sued the Las Vegas Redevelopment Agency over condemnation of their property to allow for creation of the Fremont Street Experience. Her legislation was met with fierce opposition from developers and others with an interest downtown because they thought it would hinder revitalization efforts and keep property values low. Redevelopment money was largely used at the time for downtown commercial development.

Redevelopment agency

In 2009, Giunchigliani led the push to mothball the Clark County Redevelopment Agency, which managed three Southern Nevada redevelopment zones with the aim of improving blighted areas. The agency collected $10 million in annual property tax revenue but had little to show for its five-year existence. It formed design standards for projects, but no construction had begun.

Giunchigliani argued the money could be better spent on schools, libraries, public safety and indigent health care, particularly as the state cut funding.

Critics pointed to the successes of other redevelopment agencies, namely Las Vegas’, which created 9,700 construction jobs and 7,500 permanent jobs since 2004, according to Mayor Oscar Goodman.

Reserve funds

Giunchigliani last month suggested cutting half the reserves for Metropolitan Police to plug holes in the county’s budget. Despite budget cuts in recent years, Metro has amassed $84 million in rainy day coffers.

Sheriff Doug Gillespie argued that he planned to use about $30 million in his next budget and would need the remaining reserves for future costs.

Opponents said the move would result in a spike in crime. Carolyn Goodman’s spokesman used it as an example of what he says are Giunchigliani’s misplaced priorities.

Giunchigliani said the money could be put to better use and the county and city, which fund the majority of Metro’s budget, would be obligated to bail the department out if it hits a financial snag.

One form, one fee

As an assemblywoman, Giunchigliani led the effort to pass legislation to streamline permitting and fee requirements for businesses, a policy she hopes to replicate in Las Vegas.

In 1992, Carole Vilardo of the Nevada Taxpayers Association complained to Giunchigliani about Nevada’s repetitive permitting process. Companies had to file similar forms with both the state and Clark County to get businesses up and running, and pay related fees twice.

Giunchigliani proposed a single permit application for both government entities with a single fee.

“Why not begin to consolidate?” she said at the time.

The bill passed unanimously during the 1993 session.