Lobbying cost local governments millions

CARSON CITY -- Local governments in Nevada have spent nearly $3.2 million lobbying the Legislature this year.

According to records at the Nevada Department of Taxation, the money was spent by counties, cities, county-operated hospitals, school districts and other special districts.

Most of the money was spent by government organizations in Clark and Washoe counties.

Governmental bodies in Clark County reported $2.3 million in lobbying expenditures. Washoe County governments spent $651,321, not including what the city of Reno spent. That report wasn't available yet.

Clark County listed 12 lobbyists, mostly full-time employees led by lobbyist Sabra Smith-Newby. Clark County reported total lobbying costs of $487,831, including $30,000 in University Medical Center costs.

Las Vegas listed 15 employees and professional lobbyists and total costs of $344,733.

Washoe County, not including Reno, spent $332,945 during the session.

The reports show that the largest expenditures were contracts employing professional lobbyists. About $1.2 million in contract lobbyist expenditures was reported last week.

Significant amounts also were spent sending local government employees to visit the Legislature. The reports count the salaries of those employees while they're at the Legislature.

Clark County school officials reported spending $390,702 on lobbyists, although they didn't hire a professional lobbying firm. The district used its own officers and employees to influence lawmakers, listing their expenses and salaries during the session. Washoe County School District, however, spent $50,000 of its total $91,635 on contract lobbyists.

Expenditures by counties totaled $951,324, cities spent $1,061,473 and school districts $509,337 during the legislative session.

Other special districts, such as the Southern Nevada Water Authority and the Incline Village General Improvement District, spent $618,191 to try to influence lawmakers.

Carson City spent $38,187, primarily to hire professional lobbyists Mary Walker, the former city finance director, and Bob Hadfield, former head of the Nevada Association of Counties. Carson School District spent another $9,000.

Churchill County spent $16,518 with the county paying B.J. Selinder of Fallon to lobby. Fallon hired veteran lobbyist Mary Henderson but, like Reno, its financial report had not yet been received by the state.

Elko paid former Las Vegas Assemblyman Josh Griffin $25,000. The school districts also spent quite a bit on lobbying during the session. Largest by far was Clark, reporting $390,702.

But that list didn't include hiring a professional lobbying firm. The district used its own officers and employees to push its cause, listing their expenses and salaries during the session. The Washoe district, however, spent $50,000 of its total $91,635 on contract lobbyists.