Reno Gazette-Journal from Reno, Nevada • Page 5

QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? Bill O'Dribcoll. Capitol Bureau Chief: 882-3553: Fax: 882-4806 John Smetana, Assistant City Editor: 788-6230: Fax: 788-6458 E-Mail: NewsroomNevadaNet.Com The '97 Legislature WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 22. 1997 5A RENO GAZETTE-JOURNAL VilnliV Assembly license plate No. 8, Room 31 60A, 684-8505. I 1: Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, 49, radio station manager, Central Nevada Senatorial District, first elected 1992, Senate license plate Dennis Nolan, R- Las Vegas.

35, risk management consultant, Clark District 13. first elected 1994, Assembly license plate No 28, Room Reno will try to get more control of its local revenues Vivian Freeman, D-Reno, 69, retired nurse, Washoe District 24, first elected 1986, Assembly license plate No. 9, Room 3159A, 684-8559 No 13. 1175. 684-8853 Room 2160, 687-3656.

ifj '-If) Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas. 61, retired personnel administrator, Clark District 4, first elected 1972. Senate license plate No. 2, Room 2103.687-3644. Genie Ohren-schall, D-Lns Vegas.

50, businesswoman. Clark District 12. first elected 1994. Assembly license plate No. 29.

Room 1148. Chris Giunchigliani, D- Las Vegas, 42, special education teacher, Clark District 9, first elected 1990, Assembly license Mark Amodei, R- CarsonCity, 38, lawyer, Carson City District 40, first elected 1996, Assembly license plate No. 32, Room Bernie Anderson, D-Sparks, 54, high school teacher, Washoe District 31, first elected 1990, Assembly license plate No. 11, Room 31 40B, 684-8563. Morse Arberry D-Las Vegas, 43, neighborhood services manager for the city of Las Vegas, Clark District 7, first elected 1984, Assembly license Room Concerns: Officials say city is getting hurt the worst on depreciation.

684-8819 plate No. 13, Room 3152A, 0. David Parks, D- Las Vegas, 53. assistant director, Regional Transportation Commission, Clark District 41, first elected 1996. 1111 wgj i A i By Susan Voyles Ki I It Rl Reno will be lcadingthc charge to loosen the state's control of local go re And it faces an uphill battle with "home rule" considered fighting wurds in the halls of the Nevada statehousc.

Ann O'Connell, R- Las Vegas, 62, bookstore owner, Clark District 5, first elected 1984, Senate license plate No. 6, Room 2156, 687-5702. Bill Las Vegas, 46, businessman, Clark District 5, first elected 1986, it plate No. 5, 8587. Assembly license plate No.

41 Room David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, 27, financial consultant, Clark District 10, first elected 1994, Assembly license plate No. 26, Room Don Gustavson, R-Reno, 53, truck driver, Washoe District 32, first elected 1996, Assembly license plate No. 35, Room -it! it. i Doug Bache, D- Las Vegas, 45, middle school math teacher, Clark District 11, first elected 1990, Assembly license plate No. 12, Room Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, 35, police captain, Clark District 23, first elected 1992, Assembly license plate No.

19, Room 1102A, 684-8537. More than ever, Rtno officials say they have tightly organized a lobbying force for a handful of bills to giant smaller euies the authority to raise taxes in a aricty of ways. Chief among Garner Dario Herrera, D- Las Vegas, 23, community college administrator, Clark District 16, first elected 1996, Assembly license Dlate No. 36, Room Pi, i' city is getting hurt the worst on depreciation. Since the 19SI propertysales tax shift, buildings are depreciated 1.

5 percent a year for tax purposes, with a cap set at 75 percent of value. A 50-vear-old building worth 00.000. for instance, would be taxed on only 25 percent of its value. At a regional legislative powwow last week, McNcely estimated the tax factor costs Reno i 80 per home a year or a total of SS million a year in lost taxes. To recoup some of those tax dollars, Reno has won Nevada League of Cities support for a bill that would forget age and reset the clock for depreciation whenever a property is sold.

Then the clock would begin ticking again for the next property ow ner to build up depreciation. On average, homes are sold every seven ears. Reno also has the eague's support for an impact fee to cover the full cost of building neighborhood parks rat her than the current cap of 1 .000 per home. It also wants the authority to use a photo radar device to catch and ticket speeding motorist son camera and to declare drug houses a public nuisance. Reno also supports measures to gain immunity for building inspections and to allow the city to collect court-imposed fines through the vehicle registration process and impose court fees for capital improvements.

Hob Jones, of the local builders association, said his group opposes a new impact fee for parks, lie said local officials should reexamine the whole issue of parks if they can't afford to build and maintain them. Maybe the answer is for government to build fewer neighborhood parks and more regional parks, he said. (iov eminent critic 1 rank l'art-low said he's disappointed local government is simply going to the Legislature "to ask lor more money to do things the same way they 're doing them now." While police are working closer together, he said no officials have dared to challenge a state law that allows unions to "cherry pick" the best contracts if one police agency were formed. 1 hat was the top recommendation a year-long regional law enforcement task force. Police unions across the state are opposed to any change, however.

"What's doable here?" McNcely said. "Just go down to the I egislattire ami have a light for the sake of a fight?" Senate license plate No. 10, Room 2162, 687-3650. Jon Porter, R- BoulderCity, 41, insurance executive, Clark District 1, first elected 1994, Senate license plate No. 18, Room 2142, 687-3592.

Bill Raggio, R- Reno, 70, lawyer, Washoe District 3, first elected 1972, Senate license plate No. 1, Room 1221, 687-8184. Ray Rawson, R- Las Vegas, 56, dentist, Clark District 6, first elected 1984, Senate license plate No. 7, Room 2112, 687-8164. Merle Berman, R- Las Vegas, 49, real estate developer, Clark District 2, first elected 1996, Assembly license plate No.

33, Room 1159, 684-8827. Deanna Braunlin, R-Las Vegas, 37, health care administrator, Clark District 4, first elected 1994, Assembly license plate No 23, Room Lynn Hettrick, R- Gardnerville, 52, private investment manager, Douglas and Carson Citv 4fJ District 39, first $iJ olortoH 1 QQ9 these arc curtailing property tax breaks through depreciation, gaining the authority to go to the voters to raise sales taxes by a quarter-cent, boost business license fees and impose impact fees for parks. Whether Reno ever decides to raise any taxes, a focus group of 50 community leaders last summer agreed the city should have the right to consider them, said Reno ehiefof state I.eann Mcflroy. Reno officials have garnered support from the Nevada I eague ol Cities for the park fees and de-pieeiation issues. Reno and as gas City Councils held their fiist ever joint meeting this fall to find common ground in the legislative session.

And a week ago. Reno city manager Charles McNcely met separately with the Clark County manager and the I. as Vegas city manager to firm up support on some ofthese legislative issues. I or $55,000, Reno has hired Y.il Ciarner of I. as Vegas to represent Reno for a second session.

I le Bob Price, D-North Las Vegas, 60, Realtorelectrician, Clark District 17, first elected 1974, Assembly license plate No. 2, Room 3148A, 684-8577. Brian Sandoval, R-Reno, 33, lawyer, Washoe District 25, first elected 1994, Assembly license plate No. 30, Room Gene Segerblom, D-BoulderCity, 76, retired teacher, Clark District 22, first elected 1992, Assembly license plate No. 20.

Room Sandra Tiffany. R-Henderson, 47, employee benefits broker, Clark District 21, first elected 1992, Assembly license plate No. 21, Room Assembly license em plate No. 17, Room 3105C, Pat Hickey, R- Reno, 46, journalist, painter, Washoe District 27, first elected 1996, Assembly license plate No. 37, Room David Humke, R- Reno, 48, lawyer, Washoe District 26, first elected 1982, Assembly license plate No.

4, Room Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, 36, lawyer, Clark District 8, first elected 1994, Assembly license plate No. 24, Room John Carpenter, R-EIko, 66, rancher, Elko District 33, first elected 1986, Assembly license plate No. 7, Room Barbara Cegav-ske, R-Las Vegas, 45, small-business owner, Clark District 5, first elected 1996, Assembly license plate No. 34, Room 1161, -1 ig 'V4 served eight years in the Legislature ending in 1 993. Reno also has Uui'hara McKenie.

its own lobbyist on staff, and a team of seven oiners to serve as pointmen on particular issues. Mayor Jeff (iriHin has said olh-ei Nevada cities can look to Reno to see their future. With the largest slock of older housing in Nevada, Reno officials believe their fit vw Kathy Von Tobel, R-Las Vegas, 38, accountant, small-business owner, Clark District 20, first elected 1996, Assembly license plate No. 42, Room Ellen Koivisto, D- Las Vegas, 53, UNLV personnel consultant, Clark District 14, first elected 1996, Assembly license plate No. 39, Room 684-8833.

Sparks hires lobbyist to be its eyes and ears Wendell Williams, D-Las Vegas, 46, business development consultant, Clark District 6, first elected 1986, Assembly license plate No. 10, Room Sandi Krenzer, D- Las Vegas, 48, health service project manager, Clark District 19. first elected 1994, Assembly license plate No. 22, Room 1101 684-8545. i By Robert Anglen HI fil I I I -Hit KN Sparks officials have made their legislative wish list and hired a lof by ist tocheck it tw lee.

Stephanie Tyler ol' Rose-(ilei) Advertising and 31 50A, 684-8569. Jack Regan, D- Las Vegas, 62, college administrator, Clark District 2, first elected 1994, Senate license plate No. 16, Room 2104, 687-3642. Dean Rhoads, R- Tuscaroroa, 61, rancher. Northern Nevada Senatorial District, first elected 1976, Senate license plate No.

5, Room Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, 46. businessman, Clark District 42, first elected 1992, Senate license plate No. 20, Room 2108, 687-8127. Ray Shaffer, D- Las Vegas, 64, retired. Clark District 2, first elected 1984, Senate license plate No.

8, Room 2101, 687-3638 Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, 46, university professor, Clark District 7, first elected 1988, Senate license plate No. 11, Room Randolph Town-send, R-Reno, 49, auto dealer executive. Washoe District 4, first elected 1982, Senate license plate No. 4, Room 2164. 687-3645 Maurice Washington, R-Sparks.

40. businessman. Washoe District 2. first elected 1994, Senate license plate No. 19, Room 2111, 687-3652.

Valerie Wiener, D-Las Vegas, 47, public relations company owner, Clark District 3, first elected 1996, Senate license plate No. 21 Room 21 10, 687-8129. Vonne Chowning, D-Las Vegas, 54, co-owner of realty business, Clark District 28, first elected 1988, Assembly license plate No. 14, Room 3151A, 684-8583. Jack Close, R-Las Vegas, 53, physical therapist, Clark District 15, first elected 1994, Assembly license plate No.

25, Room Tom Collins, D- North Las Vegas, 46. electrical contractor, Clark District 1, first elected 1992, Assemblv license i I 1 Joan Lambert, R- Reno, 50. housewife, Washoe District 29, first elected 1984, Assembly license plate No. 6, Room John Jay Lee, D- Las Vegas, 41, plumbing, tile business owner, Clark District 3, first elected 1996, Assembly license plate No. 38, Room Mark Manendo, D-Las Vegas, 30, fund-raising consultant, Clark District 18, first elected 1994, Assembly license plate No.

27. Room Ernie Adler, D- Carson City, 46, lawyer. Capital Senatorial District, first elected 1990, Senate license plate No. 12, Room 2100, 687-3632. Kathy Augustine, R-Las Vegas.

40. teacher. Clark District 7, first elected 1992, Senate license plate No. 15. Room 2160, 687-3634.

Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, 54. book dealer, Clark District 3, first elected 1982, Senate license plate No. 9. Room 2102, 687-3640. plate No.

31, Room Public Relations ill he protecting the city's in several bills and issues. "We are not a special interest and we may not be a sexy interest, but we are the people of Sparks." I ler said, indicating local lobbyist give the community a voice at the state level. -1 hat is what I th.nk is important." she said. "I ohhying for a loal entity is dif-fcicnlthanbeinga loiihyist lor pri-v die interests." in 1991. 'Is ler represented Sparks in the Legislature, after bung appointed h- Washoe Marcia de Braga, D-Fallon, 59, rancher, Churchill, White Pine, Eureka and Lander Counties District 35, first elected 1992, Assembly license plate No.

15, Tyler fl "That is what I think is important. Lobbying for a local entity is different than being a lobbyist for private Stephanie Tyler said. "She will provide written and verbal reports to the city-council." I yler will be paid $35,000 to represent the city through the session, Inch ends in July. I he city actually signed a contract with Rosc-(ilci). but it specifically names I yler as their representative.

She also woiked for Sparks in the 1995 legislative session. Key nolds said. Prior to hiring a lobbyist, the city had a full-time representative on its pax roll. "lo have an employee that we would send to the legislative session six months every other year, upset the continuity of oilier city projects." Keynoldssaid. The issues Sparks officials want lo follow include: Setting up a landscape maintenance district lor open space, which would involve charging new homeowners an assessment fee to pay for llie upkeep of undeveloped ptoperty.

Any tav revenue distribution bills, which could affect the amount of taxes released lo local agencies. Support a move to specify funds for regional improvement protects. I hese projects would include more than one municipal jurisdiction and might include major road repairs and sewer projects, Support a regional dispatch center and emergency naming center. Oppose any change to Redevelopment Agency laws that would shift where local district tax funds are spent. This is particularly important.

Reynolds said, because of the development of Victorian Square, Support a recommendation to finance a sewer and water plan, which aceneics were directed to create during the 1 995 session. Minor city charter changes, which Reynolds said have to he approved by the Legislature. Oppose a state industrial insurance plan to charge local entities for past involvement. In 1992. Sparks withdrew from the state to become self-insured.

Room 31 53A, 684-8573. Joe Dini, D- Yerington, 67, casino owner, Lyon and Storey Counties and Carson City District 38, first elected 1966. Assembly license plate No. 1. John Marvel, R- Battle Mountain, 70, rancher, Humbolt, Pershing.

Elko. Eureka and Lander counties District 34, first elected 1978, Assembly license plate No. Lawrence Jacobsen, R- Mmden. 75, retired, petroleum products. Western Nevada Senatorial District, first elected 1962, Senate license plate Room 1104A, 684-8503.

3, Room 3107, 684-8851. No. 3, Room 1224, 687-8125. Pete Ernaut, R- Reno, 32, advertising public relations executive, Carson City 'Washoe District 37. first elected 1992, Assembly license Dlate No.

16, -unty commissioners to serve the last two years of the term of Sue agner. elected lieutenant govei-iiur. "The state relies on lobbyists as a resource for information on the Although she will lobby for other civic entities, including the Regional Transportation Committee. Tyler's primary job for Sparks will he to follow bills which could allect the city through the legisla-ti session. 'She will arrange for us to tes-tn in front of committees and she will coordinate between us and ashoe County and Reno on dit-teient matters." said City Manag-ci I erry Reynolds.

During the session, it will not be unusual for us to communicate wall her several times a day." he I 0 Harry Mortenson, D-Las Vegas. 66, nuclear physicist, consultant, Clark District 42, first elected 1996, Assembly license plate No. 40, Room Roy Neighbors. D- Tonopah, 73, mining consultant, Esmeralda, Lincoln, Mineral and Nye Counties District 36. first elected 1992, Assembly license plate No.

18, Room 3105B, 684-8837. Mark James, R- Las Vegas, 37, lawyer, Clark District 8, first elected 1992, Senate license plate No. 14, Room 2158. 687-8132. Bernice Mathews, D-Sparks, 63, director of health science-nursing, small-business owner, Washoe District 1.

first elected 1994, Sen Gov. Bob Miller. 51, lawyer; succeeded Richard Bryan, who was elected to U.S. senate, in January 1989; elected in 1990 and 1994. Lt.

Gov. Lonnie Hammargren, neurosurgeon; former university Board of Regents member; elected 1994. ra- V1 Jan Evans, D- Sparks, 59, development officer for the University of Nevada School of Medicine, Washoe District 30, first elected 1986. ate license plate No. 17, Room Room 1.