Lobbyists have spent $95,975 so far

CARSON CITY -- The economy is down but spending is up for Nevada's legislative lobbyists, who have forked over $95,975 at dinners, receptions and other events during the first half of the 2009 session.

An analysis of preliminary Legislative Counsel Bureau records on lobbyist spending shows the advocates are well ahead of their $74,395 in spending during the first half of the 2007 session.

The February and March 2009 spending included $93,558 on group events sponsored by lobbyists, and another $2,417 in spending by individual advocates on individual legislators.

A breakdown of the $2,417 in spending on individual legislators in February and March shows Assembly Corrections, Parole and Probation Chairman William Horne, D-Las Vegas, was No. 1, getting $455 in food and drinks from lobbyists.

Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas, was second at $380, followed by Assembly Commerce and Labor Chairman Marcus Conklin, D-Las Vegas, at $192; Senate Taxation Chairman Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, at $134; Assembly Transportation Chairman Kelvin Atkinson, D-North Las Vegas, at $125, and Assembly Taxation Chairwoman Kathy McClain, D-Las Vegas, at $111.

Rounding out the top 10 were Assemblyman Tick Segerblom, D-Las Vegas, at $101; Senate Commerce and Labor Chairwoman Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, at $83; Senate Legislative Operations and Elections Chairwoman Joyce Woodhouse, D-Henderson, at $79; and Assemblyman Chad Christensen, R-Las Vegas, at $68.

Lobbyists reported spending nothing on 28 of the 63 lawmakers; and $20 or less on a dozen others.

The most expensive gatherings included a Nevada Mining Association reception that cost $8,854; and a lunch and dinner sponsored by Farmers Insurance that cost $7,559.

During February, separate events held by the Nevada chapter of Associated General Contractors and the Nevada Taxpayers Association each cost more than $11,000.

The lobbyists filed information on individual meetings with lawmakers. At the head of that list was Tim Crowley, representing the Nevada Mining Association, at $229.