Pity those poor legislators packing their bags and heading off to Carson City. The 71st Legislative Session, beginning February 5, will be very tough on them. It will be only the second session in modern time strictly limited to 120 days, and it is filled with some of the toughest, most emotionally challenging issues ever. Reapportionment, tax and pocketbook issues always alter political fortunes. Add a host of emotional mega-issues, and you have the makings of a high-stakes, seriously congested legislative season. Here’s a quick look at some of the issues that will dominate the Nevada Legislature this year.
Reapportionment
For some, this is basic survival. If you are a legislator whose district is surrounded by large numbers of voters from the other party, or one serving a rural or Northern Nevada district, you could be redistricted right out of office. For others, redistricting means a chance to increase your base of support, even move on to higher office. Speaker Joe Dini, longest-serving legislator in Nevada history, has been through this process three previous times. “The problem with reapportionment is that there are always 63 different plans on how to do it (one for every legislator). Congressional seats will be a hot topic,” according to Dini. It seems many legislators have a plan that would put them in control of an open congressional district.
Business Taxes
Ironically, the teachers’ union tax challenge, the shadow of Senator Joe Neal’s failed gaming tax initiative and taxes on Internet sales will all contribute to the congestion of this “no new taxes” session. Nowhere are battle lines more fiercely drawn than they are over the Nevada State Education Association’s (NSEA) corporate business tax initiative. This tax would collect $200 million to $300 million dollars from Nevada corporations, and the teachers’ union would have a role in how the money is spent. The initiative petition process grants the Legislature very limited review authority. If the Legislature fails to pass the contents of the initiative into law in whole, without amendment, the entire package goes to voters in the 2002 general election.
There is zero chance the corporate tax will get approved by the Legislature. However, this issue is going to make life miserable for legislators. According to John Cummings, consultant to the Nevada Pro Education Alliance and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, “Voting for an income tax is the kiss of death in Nevada. Teachers have put their supporters in the Legislature in jeopardy, and it’s going to be one of the worst sessions educators have ever had.”
Electric Utility Deregulation
Only one card trumps incumbency: being wrong on pocketbook issues. It is likely that by the time voters go to the polls in 2002, they will have absorbed at least 25 increases in electric and natural gas rates. If that proves true, the blame game will be for real. Nevada’s deregulation laws are far smarter than California’s. The fact is, Nevada consumers would actually be worse off without the protections written into the law passed in 1999. Still, nobody likes rate increases. Legislators absolutely must build public confidence in their Nevada plan during these next few months.
Homeowners Associations
Yes, pocketbook issues pack an emotional punch. But when people confront you in your own neighborhood, threaten you in your home, tempers flare. Homeowner association disputes have resulted in violence, even murder. Two association board members were killed in Arizona this past year. State Senator Ann O’Connell, R-Las Vegas, has the largest number of homeowners associations in her district. “I have a stack over three feet high of letters and materials on association issues,” she says. “Many associations are doing a good job. But far too many do not follow the law, and are abusing their power. The intimidation factor in some cases is unbelievable.”
Medical Marijuana
Over 380,000 Nevadans cast votes in favor of medical use of marijuana, pushing it to a landslide victory and placing the provision into the state constitution. California’s laws created the highly controversial Cannabis Buyers’ Cooperative; Oregon’s laws allow patients to grow their own weed in their homes and backyards. Some believe it will be the same in Nevada. The State Attorney General’s Office, Nevada Pharmacy Board and Legislative Counsel Bureau have heard from citizens wanting to know how they can become the first legal marijuana distributors, or asking how they can grow marijuana and not get arrested. Legislators need to find a way to allow for the compassionate use of marijuana to relieve pain and suffering without decriminalizing the use of the drug. Just one more little brainteaser for the men and women voters sent to Carson City.
Legislative sessions have always been busy. The 2001 Nevada Legislature will be 120 days of congestion, concession and compromise. Some issues that affect business will be at the forefront, but most will be buried in minutia and we all know, the devil is in the details.
