61°F
weather icon Mostly Clear

Local governments spent nearly $4M lobbying the Nevada Legislature

Updated July 12, 2017 - 9:53 pm

CARSON CITY — Local government entities in Nevada spent just over $3.75 million lobbying state lawmakers in the just-concluded 2017 legislative session, a report released Wednesday by the Nevada Department of Taxation shows.

The summary report of lobbying expenditures, required by state law, shows that total spending by counties, cities, schools and other local government entities increased by about $450,000 over the 2015 session, when $3.3 million was reported by local governments.

Counties spent $1.14 million, cities $1.38 million and schools $369,000, the report shows.

Most of the expenses are for travel, lodging and the salaries of the lobbyists. Those who work directly for local governments would be paid their salaries whether they were lobbying the Legislature or performing other duties.

Total local government lobbying in Clark County hit $2.2 million — 59 percent of the total spending.

Clark County spent $437,000, while four incorporated cities in Clark County spent a combined $931,000. Information provided to the agency shows that the city of Las Vegas spent $475,000, while Henderson spent $240,000, North Las Vegas $172,000 and Mesquite, $44,000.

Spending by other entities is included in the report. The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority, for example, reported $115,000 in lobbying expenses. The Metropolitan Police Department reported $206,000. Clark County schools spent $283,000.

Local government spending on lobbying lawmakers has continue to rise in recent sessions, but the most spent since the report first came out in 2005 was just under $4 million in the 2007 session.

Not all local governments spend money on lobbying.

Only eight of Nevada’s 17 counties, for example, reported lobbying expenditures.

Lobbying Expenditure Report

Summary of Lobbying Expenditure/Nevada Department of Taxation

Contact Sean Whaley at swhaley@reviewjournal.com or 775-461-3820. Follow @seanw801 on Twitter.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST
Lawsuit challenges Nevada’s new diabetes drug disclosure law

Two pharmaceutical groups have filed a lawsuit in federal court challenging the constitutionality of a bill passed by the 2017 Nevada Legislature requiring disclosure of the pricing of diabetes drugs.

Nevada Legislature approves final payment for ESA software

The final action on Nevada’s controversial private school choice program came Thursday when the Legislature’s Interim Finance Committee approved $105,000 to pay off the remaining costs incurred by a vendor who was working on the development of software to implement the program.

 
Recall targets a third Nevada senator

A third recall petition against a female Nevada state senator was filed Wednesday.

Federal government approves Nevada’s education plan

Nevada is among four states to get U.S. Education Department approval of its plan as required under a new federal education law, the Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA.