Sunday, September 25, 2005
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

JOHN L. SMITH: Perkins has taken one for the team, and he's the one-man team

And you thought the wheels came off the Las Vegas Monorail fast. That's nothing compared to the flimsy Firestones that just shot off the soapbox racer known as the Richard Perkins-for-Governor campaign.

Talk about a laydown -- on the eve of his campaign kickoff. Seldom in the history of Nevada politics has a man with so much juice done so little with it.

Guys who quit this abruptly usually do so just ahead of the law, but Perkins is a police officer. From the looks of things, he didn't want to get his nose bloody in a fight he was likely to lose in the primary.

Either that, or you can believe him when he intimated he was taking one for the team in an effort to prevent a Republican victory in 2006.

Team? What team? Where are all the "team pictures" of Perkins with Democratic challenger Dina Titus or expected candidate Jim Gibson? They don't exist. Perkins' political career has been very much about Perkins.

Here's a little secret: It still is.

Perkins told reporters he believed he could win a hard-fought Democratic primary, but just wouldn't have enough money to beat Republican front-runner Jim Gibbons in a general election. Even his top adviser, Billy Vassiliadis, read from that tepid "Seinfeld" script.

Perkins has floated his interest in the governor's office for years. He raised respectable money in recent months and had the backing of Vassiliadis, Pete Ernaut and the R&R Partners image experts with all their connections to big cash on the Strip.

And they say he still couldn't compete because of money?

Obviously, they missed their calling.

They should have been comedians.

The only bigger laugh is the one about how Perkins, despite enjoying the support of two of Nevada's biggest campaign mechanics, was somehow not a creation of the state's political machine.

Cut from the Guinn-Miller DNA strand, Perkins billed himself as a conservative Democrat, but rode shotgun for Gaming Inc., pushed for big tax increases and didn't bother to hide his immense ambition. The thought that a young man with so much political drive would quit this race for the greater Democratic good is nonsense.

He had a mixed bag of success at the Legislature, and at 43 he's no scandal; but the fact is it's hard to win a governor's race after a lengthy stay in Carson City, where issues make enemies. It's something Titus and state Sen. Bob Beers, another gubernatorial hopeful, surely know.

As it is, Perkins is in position to continue in his executive post at the Henderson Police Department or accept some no-in-basket homeland security spot now that he won't be challenging Mayor Gibson in the governor's race.

Nobody's poll, not even his own, had Perkins reasonably certain of getting out of the primary, much less beating Gibbons even if he had the keys to the U.S. Mint. Vassiliadis designed a survey that took positive and negative points of each candidate and weighed the public's opinion. Perkins pushed for the largest tax increase in Nevada history and was accused of double dipping.

It's not the negatives, but a lack of positives that doomed Perkins in a competitive field. Other than wanting the job, can anyone give a reason why he deserved it?

No one can blame him for believing he could be governor. After all, he had all the right friends and was fiercely aware of how Nevada's campaign game usually works.

In a year in which a campaign could be rigged like a Tijuana dog race, Perkins could have conceivably placed first. But this season finds Sig Rogich and Jim Denton backing Gibbons, Beers rattling Republican cages, Lorraine Hunt extremely popular, Gibson showing a pulse, and Titus refusing to buckle to the well-connected men's club.

Nevada has the makings of a real race instead of a machine-bred show pony exhibition with rocking horses for competition.

No one will mistake Perkins for a "Fear Factor" finalist, but simply calling him a coward isn't accurate. In politics, discretion is the better part of survival, and valor is a photo opportunity. Perkins is a politician.

So forget about the team.

This is about Richard Perkins living to race another day on a track where he might be competitive.

John L. Smith's column appears Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. E-mail him at Smith@reviewjournal.com or call 383-0295.

Friday, September 23, 2005
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

GOVERNOR'S RACE: National group gets behind Titus
EMILY's List a strong fundraising force
By ERIN NEFF
REVIEW-JOURNAL

[[[Dina Titus
Lawmaker faces Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson in Democratic field]]]

Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus is hoping that a national group's endorsement will help her follow in the footsteps of eight other Democratic women who have won governorships with help from EMILY's List.

The 20-year-old organization, which supports pro-choice Democratic female candidates, has endorsed Titus, D-Las Vegas, in her quest to become Nevada's first female governor.

"They've got several thousand members in the state, and having their help and support is going to help in this race," Titus said.

There is no specific "Emily" behind the list, just an "Early Money Is Like Yeast" mantra that Titus hopes will help her raise campaign dough from women nationwide and, with it, increase her profile in the state she hopes to govern.

"Dina Titus is an enormously effective state senator, with a record of achievement that has improved the lives of Nevadans," said Ellen Malcolm, president of EMILY's List, in a news release announcing the endorsement.

The group's Web site features incumbent politicians such as Kansas Gov. Kathleen Sebelius and Washington Sen. Maria Cantwell, and urges those who support their pro-choice beliefs to donate to their recommended candidates.

Carrie Giddins, deputy communications director for the group, said Titus will have "the full array" of EMILY's List services at her disposal for the race.

In the 2003-04 election cycle, EMILY's List members donated more than $10.7 million to candidates nationwide.

Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., has received EMILY's List's endorsement in past races and said the group's fundraising potential is "awesome." She said she believes the small EMILY's List contributions from around the country amounted to $100,000 in each of her two past races.

"First of all, it was early, and of course those early endorsements are important because you are developing a momentum and proving that you're viable," Berkley said. "(EMILY's List) is like a business; if they like the product, they'll put their money into it, but you have to provide a good deal of information before they endorse you."

Titus said EMILY's List does not just "find women and help them win."

"They find women who are viable and put them over the top," Titus said. "They like to water the green spots. We are going to be competitive, and this will help."

David Damore, a political science professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said that although the EMILY's List endorsement will not mean much to voters in the state, it will help Titus get funding from outside Nevada.

"It usually opens up their fundraising network, and EMILY's List has helped raise lots and lots of money for candidates," Damore said. "Obviously, she's going to need as much money as she can get her hands on."

Rep. Jim Gibbons, a Republican, has nearly $2 million for the race.

Damore said he thinks Wednesday's announcement by Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins that he wasn't seeking the Democratic nomination for governor hurts Titus. If Titus had been in a primary with both Perkins and Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson, the two men would have split their traditional base of support and led Titus to a victory, he said.

"Now I think she may have to run a little more toward the base in the primary," Damore said. "The EMILY's List endorsement speaks to that core Democratic base."

Titus is but one of several gubernatorial candidates who support abortion rights.

Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, a Republican, said that as a Catholic she is personally anti-abortion, but she believes "women have a right to choose." Gibbons also supports a woman's right to abortion. State Sen. Bob Beers, the third Republican candidate, describes himself as pro-life.

Gibson, a Mormon, supports abortion in cases or rape, incest or the mother's life.

Abortion is unlikely to become a major issue in the governor's race. Even if the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade and sends the issue back to individual states, Nevada voters already have passed an initiative requiring a vote of the people in order for the state to overturn Roe v. Wade.

Thursday, September 22, 2005
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

2006 CAMPAIGN: Perkins exits race for governor
Assemblyman says three-way primary would hurt Democrats
By ERIN NEFF
REVIEW-JOURNAL

[[[Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, with his wife, Terri, at a news conference Wednesday, announces he will not seek the Democratic nomination for governor next year.
Photo by Craig L. Moran.]]]

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins did a political about-face Wednesday, dropping out of the governor's race on the eve of what was to be his formal entrance.

Perkins said he reached his decision Tuesday afternoon after consulting his family and advisers and determining he could not win the general election in 2006 after a contentious and expensive three-way primary.

"I've come to the conclusion that a very competitive three-way Democratic primary leaves nobody in a position to win the general election," Perkins said at party headquarters with his wife, Terri, and four daughters at his side.

"And I feel very, very strongly that the congressman (Republican Jim Gibbons) should not be the governor of this state, that he would roll back the clock on all of our accomplishments."

Perkins, a Henderson deputy police chief, has served in the Assembly since 1993 and as speaker since 2001.

He also announced Wednesday he would not seek re-election and would work to make Majority Leader Barbara Buckley the state's first female speaker.

Perkins' statement suggested he was taking one for the team, and he said: "My taking myself out of my race, you have only two people in it, and the Democratic resources are less diluted."

Democratic strategist Billy Vassiliadis agreed with Perkins' conclusion that he could have won a primary race against Sen. Dina Titus and Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson but would have had a hard time winning the general election.

"He would have exhausted all of his resources to win the primary," Vassiliadis said. "Then Gibbons, the day after the primary, starts attacking him, and he has no money left to respond."

Perkins' campaign had raised close to $700,000, and staff members who had been preparing for this week's formal announcement appeared stunned at the news. One staff member, who just arrived from Oregon, sent his first and last campaign news release Wednesday, advising the media of a "major announcement."

Advisers, lobbyists and other elected Democrats arrived at party headquarters like a family whose members gather for support shortly after receiving news of a loved one's death.

Vassiliadis said that to assert who would emerge from a two-way primary would be premature.

He suggested Gibson could win Democratic support as the best candidate to defeat Gibbons, whom many assume will handle easily his three-way Republican primary. Vassiliadis also said Titus could energize the Democratic base and come out the victor.

Titus said she believes she is the best candidate to defeat Gibbons, a five-term Congressman whose aggressive fund-raising is moving his campaign close to the $2 million mark.

"I think that the base of the Democratic Party will see me as the candidate because of who turns out in a Democratic primary," Titus said, referring to women, environmentalists and "hard-core" Democrats. "I have been to every (Democratic Party) meeting in the past 18 years, and I haven't seen Jim Gibson at one of them."

Gibson's campaign spokesman, Greg Bortolin, announced the hiring of a nationally respected pollster, Fred Yang of Garin-Hart-Yang Research, and said the mayor plans to announce his bid in about three to four weeks.

"Whether Richard Perkins was in or not, Mayor Gibson is putting his team together and does expect to be a candidate for governor," Bortolin said. "He is finalizing his campaign team and working on the issues and his vision for the state."

Perkins refrained from endorsing either Titus or Gibson and called them both top-tier candidates. His criticism was aimed at Gibbons.

"It's more important for Jim Gibbons not to be governor, than for Richard Perkins to be governor," he said.

"I've served (in the Legislature) with Jim Gibbons," Perkins said. "This state needs somebody who's serious about the problems in our state and not the king of the one-minute speeches."

But Gibbons' campaign spokesman, Robert Uithoven, recalled Perkins' low recognition factor in several statewide polls conducted this year.

"I don't think this is terribly significant today because I don't think Richard Perkins was planning a very significant role in the governor's race anyway," Uithoven said.

In addition to low voter recognition, Perkins struggled over the past three years to fight a decision by the federal Office of Special Counsel that said he was violating the Hatch Act through his dual roles as police official and partisan politician.

Last week, a judge determined Perkins had not violated the act, clearing the way for his candidacy.

Perkins was criticized last week by Desert Springs Hospital officials during a dispute over nurses' attempts to unionize. When Perkins visited workers at the hospital, he was accused of grandstanding and "endangering patients' lives."

Perkins ran into trouble in the 2005 legislative session with his backing of a bill that sought restrictions on neighborhood casinos, leaving him pitted between gaming interests and labor. He had yet to repair the rift with labor, a core component of the Democratic base.

Sep. 20, 2005
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

Exec says LV's tourism model should be emulated elsewhere
By CHRIS JONES
GAMING WIRE

As safety concerns and rising anti-Americanism reduce the number of foreign visitors to the United States, a travel expert said Monday more U.S. destinations should adopt a Las Vegas-style model that blends widespread security measures with a welcoming attitude.

Roger Dow, president and chief executive officer of the Washington-based Travel Industry Association of America, told 225 attendees at this year's International Tourism Safety and Security Conference at the Flamingo that the nation's nearly $600 billion per year travel industry remains susceptible to threats including terror attacks and natural disasters.

Advertisement

To help stabilize the flow of inbound visitors and foster international goodwill, American businesses and law enforcement agencies must work together to project a safe and friendly image to would-be travelers, he said.

"When we don't have people coming here, then we fall victim to the media, to the mullahs and the people saying, 'They're the bad guys,'" said Dow, a 34-year veteran of Marriott International who took over the association on Jan. 1.

"(But) if someone comes to the United States ... their perception about the U.S. is much more positive, by about 15 percent, than someone who hasn't visited. ... If they visit three times, they become an advocate," Dow added, citing data from Washington's Pew Research Center.

Approximately 51.2 million foreigners visited the United States in 2000, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce's Office of Travel & Tourism Industries. The following year, traveler fears in the wake of the Sept. 11 terror attacks resulted in only 46.9 million foreign visitors, the department reported.

Last year, that total again exceeded 46 million, but Dow said his association was projecting international travel would top 2000's total this year. After Hurricane Katrina, he no longer expects foreign visitation will top 51 million in 2005, thanks largely to negative media coverage overseas.

"I think that disaster set us back 10 to 15 years in global perceptions about our country," Dow said. "Al-Jazeera, French TV, German TV and media around the world were not showing pictures of a young Coast Guard person who went into the water for the 42nd time so he could pull out one more person. They were showing pictures of downtrodden people ... with guns roaming down the street."

Expedia.com research showed a 15 percent dip in foreign bookings in the days immediately following Katrina, Dow said. He also questioned whether strict new visa policies, including required fingerprints, have told foreign travelers they're not wanted in the United States.

Sheriff Bill Young agreed with Dow's assertion that travel destinations must convey a safe image. But law enforcement and resort representatives must also avoid taking things too far and scaring people away, he added.

To promote safety without resembling a police state, Las Vegas police are encouraged to interact with tourists they encounter when on patrol, Young said.

"I think Las Vegas has struck a pretty good balance. ... There are eyes watching you, but not in an intrusive or some type of negative way," said Young, whose Metropolitan Police Department partnered the 14th annual conference along with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and the Nevada Tourist Safety Association.

To aid travel industry workers recover from Katrina, the Travel Industry Association launched a Web site, www.katrinajobs.org, that lists jobs in other parts of the country. Harrah's Entertainment, Las Vegas Sands Corp. and MGM Mirage are among participants, Dow said.

About 260,000 travel industry positions were lost in the 50 Gulf Coast counties and parishes most affected by Hurricane Katrina, Dow said. In addition, the ongoing lack of visitors to the once-popular region has already reduced domestic travel spending by approximately $50 million per day, he added.

Monday, September 05, 2005
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Judge has little to say about potential run for Congress
Democrats have asked District Court Judge Nancy Saitta to consider challenging Porter in the 3rd Congressional District
By ERIN NEFF
REVIEW-JOURNAL

[[[Eldon Hardy, a Republican who serves as the state's homeowner association ombudsman, says he plans to run for lieutenant governor next year.]]]

[[[Nancy Saitta
District Court judge has been asked by Democrats to challenge Republican Jon Porter for Congress]]]

[[[Jim Gibbons
Republican member of Congress launched his campaign for governor last week]]]

Given the propensity by politicians to avoid commenting on issues, the Democrats may have found the perfect candidate for the 3rd Congressional District.

Party officials have asked District Court Judge Nancy Saitta to run for Congress against two-term Republican Jon Porter.

"I am exploring the possibility," Saitta said. "Whatever that means."

Saitta said she's rather unfamiliar with the federal campaign process, and is only beginning to explore the race.

To that end, there is no exploratory committee and no real gauging of fundraising ability.

There's also not much coming from the judge in terms of her political beliefs, views of the incumbent, or how she thinks she could campaign.

At least she has an excuse for staying mum.

Last week when Congressman Jim Gibbons launched his gubernatorial campaign, he spent 10 minutes with Las Vegas media, giving two definitive answers: yes, he invited Gov. Kenny Guinn to the event; yes, he intends to be the Republican nominee for governor and get Guinn's support.

He deflected all of the other questions, such as how to pay for increasing teacher salaries, whether he'd support Nevada's Proposition 13-style initiative to cap increases in property taxes or how he differed philosophically from primary opponent Bob Beers.

Saitta said that if she does run, her mouth will run, too.

"What I know from my history is that when I commit to something I give it 150 percent," she said. "But right now because of judicial canons I really can't say anything."

Saitta said she would resign from the bench if she decides to file for Congress. At least then she'd be allowed to talk.

Hardy plans run

Eldon Hardy, the state's homeowner association ombudsman, said he plans to run for lieutenant governor next year.

Hardy, 69, is a Republican who has served as the common-interest community liaison since 2001. He plans to give up the job in April, just before filing for office.

"I think state government can be more accessible to the taxpayers," Hardy said. "I've learned how to take phone calls and return them."

Hardy said owning an automotive business for 44 years has taught him firsthand about economic development, which along with tourism, is the lieutenant governor's main duty.

Asked whether he was related to any of the other Hardys in public life, he said he is the uncle of state Sen. Warren Hardy.

"I'm not sure if I'm related to Assemblyman Hardy," Eldon Hardy said of Joe Hardy, the Republican who represents Boulder City.

Between the lines

Reporters are often accused of reading too much between the lines. But the white space on two press releases issued last week begs to be filled in.

Sen. Harry Reid issued a statement Wednesday commending President Bush for his decision to return to Washington, D.C., to oversee recovery efforts. He also encouraged Bush to act swiftly to give Congress damage assessments so lawmakers can sign off on relief packages.

"To that end, I've spoken with Senator (Bill) Frist and asked him to set aside what is currently on the Senate schedule so that senators can take up relief work immediately upon our return."

Two things on the Senate's schedule that the Majority Leader from Tennessee might like to pursue are the confirmation of Supreme Court nominee John Roberts and abolition of the estate tax.

Maybe our minority leader doesn't feel the same way.

The other press release came from We The People Nevada, which last Thursday filed petitions with the secretary of state's office to prohibit property taxes from increasing by more than 2 percent a year.

The press release goes on to spend the next 157 words devoted to trashing Secretary of State Dean Heller.

"Dean Heller has a clear record of blocking initiatives that would provide open government and tax relief for working families," said Cliff Nellis, chairman of the coalition.

The Angle Property Tax Initiative is sponsored by Reno Assemblywoman Sharron Angle, who is planning a bid for Congress against Heller.

Contact political reporter Erin Neff at 387-2906 or ENeff@reviewjournal.com.

Monday, August 29, 2005
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

POLITICAL NOTEBOOK: Gibbons to formally launch gubernatorial bid
Wednesday morning announcement in Las Vegas to be followed by campaign stops around 2nd Congressional District
By ERIN NEFF
REVIEW-JOURNAL

[[[Rep. Jim Gibbons, shown addressing the Nevada Legislature in Carson City on Feb. 24, will officially launch his campaign for governor Wednesday in Las Vegas.
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS]]]

[[[Nevada Supreme Court Justice Nancy Becker, above, is up for re-election next year, and she's been targeted by conservative autodialer Tony Dane, below.
Photo by Gary Thompson.]]]

Rep. Jim Gibbons has been spending plenty of time touring his huge district during the current vacation from Washington, D.C.

But his recent stops in Reno, Amargosa and Sparks will only be topped this week when he officially declares his bid for governor.

On Wednesday, the Republican war veteran will formally launch his campaign with a morning event in Las Vegas with GOP stalwart Jack Kemp at his side.

After the 10 a.m. announcement, Gibbons heads to his native Sparks for an afternoon event. He'll complete the state wrap with stops in Elko on Thursday, Winnemucca on Friday and Fallon on Labor Day.

All of those stops are in his 2nd Congressional District, but with fewer than 13,000 registered voters in the Las Vegas snippet of his district, Gibbons would be wise to rent a home down south for the campaign.

"He cannot afford to ignore his base, but he is going to have to campaign here," said Clark County GOP Chairman John Hambrick. "The same is true for any candidate, Democrat or Republican."

Hambrick said he was staying neutral in the race, thanks to the two Las Vegas Republicans also running, state Sen. Bob Beers and Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt.

Dane targets Becker

Nevada Supreme Court Chief Justice Nancy Becker is still bearing some of the brunt from voting with the majority in the 2003 Guinn vs. the Legislature case.

Conservative autodialer Tony Dane is apparently targeting Becker, who is up for re-election next year.

Dane is registered as the person who purchased roughly 20 Web domain names with combinations of Nancy Becker and Justice Becker. So far, the sites don't have any content, but wacky campaign stuff is never too far away from Dane, the man who fronted a David Parks to run against Assemblyman David Parks, among other shenanigans.

Dane said he's waiting to decide what to do with the sites. Although he was angered to the core about the Supreme Court case, Dane also said he had a positive experience in Becker's local courtroom years ago when he was the plaintiff in a civil case.

"I don't know which one weighs over the other," Dane said. "I was really mad about that decision, and I wanted to target the other justices last year."

Becker is the first of the justices expected to seek re-election after the 2003 decision. Miriam Shearing retired, Deborah Agosti chose not to seek another term, and Myron Leavitt died.

In 2003, Becker ruled with the majority to set aside a state law requiring two-thirds of the Legislature to approve tax increases in order to allow the funding of public schools .

Ultimately, that ruling did not impact the final plan. The $833 million tax hike was approved by a two-thirds majority anyway.

Costly primary avoided

State Democrats have settled on a Marshall Plan for next year's constitutional offices.

At first, Reno attorney Kate Marshall and Ross Miller, son of former Gov. Bob Miller, were both planning to run for secretary of state.

For once, the party decided to avoid a costly primary. Marshall will now run for treasurer against declared Republican candidate Mark DeStefano, leaving Miller to stump for secretary of state against the winner of a crowded field of Republican candidates.

Now if only Democrats could settle on backing one candidate for governor. In addition to Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins and Henderson Mayor Jim Gibson, casino executive Stephen Cloobeck is still considering a bid. And the world's self-declared happiest mayor, Oscar Goodman, still won't rule the race out, officially.

Thursday, August 25, 2005
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

BACK IN PUBLIC VIEW: Reid says he's 'fine'
Senator reassuring in first public appearance since ministroke
REVIEW-JOURNAL

[[[U.S. Sen. Harry Reid smiles during a forum on faith and community on Wednesday in North Las Vegas. The forum was Reid's first public appearance since suffering a ministroke last week.
Photo by Clint Karlsen.]]]

In his first public appearance since suffering a mini-stroke last week, U.S. Sen. Harry Reid on Wednesday assured reporters and others at a forum on faith and community that his health was good.

Reid, D-Nev., indicated that he would not need further medical attention as a result of the Aug. 16 episode.

When asked what his doctor's instructions were, Reid said: "He told me not to worry about it."

The Senate minority leader sought medical attention after a bout of dizziness while at home in Searchlight. Doctors found that Reid had experienced a transient ischemic attack, sometimes characterized as a ministroke. The attacks are often a sign that a serious stroke could occur later.

"There's nothing to follow up on," said Reid, who was accompanied by his wife, Landra. "I'm feeling fine."

The 65-year-old was all smiles and handshakes as he entered Nevada Partners on Lake Mead Boulevard in North Las Vegas, where the Faith and Community Forum took place. The event brought together religious leaders and social service advocates to address the needs of the youth, the homeless and the disadvantaged of Clark County through faith-based initiatives.

Reid had canceled all public appearances following his ministroke. He had been resting, spending time with family, taking calls in preparation for his Sept. 6 return to Washington D.C., and staying current with news events, according to his spokeswoman.

Reid said Wednesday that it was important for him to attend the forum to offer support to the involved groups and individuals, and also to demonstrate to the public that he was physically fit.

"I wanted everyone to be able to see me and see that I was doing fine," Reid said.

Reid was greeted with a standing ovation. He delivered his keynote address and then departed with his staff.

When asked as he walked to his vehicle what he'd like the public to know about his physical fitness, Reid said: "I think the best thing to do is tell them I did 100 push-ups this morning and 85 sit-ups."

U.S. Senate Chaplain Barry Black, who attended the forum at Reid's request, said he thought his friend looked well, confirming what Reid had told Black shortly after doctors diagnosed the transient ischemic attack.

"I have his cell phone number and I gave him a call," Black said of his actions after he heard of Reid's health issues. "He sounded fine on the phone and reassured me that everything was OK."

Black traveled from Washington D.C., to Las Vegas despite having a sprained ankle. It was a journey he said he was glad to make to support both the effort and Reid.

"It's a trip for a friend who I think is making a tremendous difference in terms of helping people on life's hard journey," Black said. "I'd probably travel halfway around the world for someone like that. He's in the trenches."

Many of the 200 people in attendance said they were impressed that the senator had kept his promise to attend the event.

"I was concerned to see if he was going to be here after I heard about his ministroke," said Anne Bridgeforth, a member of a nonprofit group affiliated with the Fountain of Hope AME Church in Las Vegas.

The Rev. Paul Colbert of St. Luke's Episcopal Church said he was eager to hear what Reid would say about the government's growing interest in working with faith-based groups. But Colbert also said he was worried about Reid's quick return to public life following his ministroke.

"I just hope he's not overexerting himself because he certainly has many battles ahead when he returns to Washington," Colbert said.

Pastor Ray Giddens of the Unity Baptist Church said he admired Reid's tenacity and dedication to his job despite his health problems.

"I'm relieved and very impressed to see the leadership he's showing," Giddens said.

"He's stepping out on faith and not letting (heath problems) prevent him from doing what he's been called to do. I admire him."

I. Call to Order
The Executive Members of the Intercity Business Council of Nevada (IBCN) held the Executive Meeting at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, August 13, 2005.

Executive Members Present:
Valerie Weber, Nevada Assemblywoman
Dr. Tony Lei, Founder
Charlyne Chen, Acting Chairperson
Michael Huang, Attorney at Law, Law Huang International Ltd.
Li Yan, Vice President of American Taiyu International, LLC.
Yin Yan, Vice President of American Taiyu International, LLC.
Judy Lei, Advisor of Judge Besty Kolkoski
Lily Yin
Anna
George Jaw (Too late to catch it up. Leave of absence requested.)

II. Approval of Minutes
Lt. Governor of Nevada Lorraine Hunt has been invited as our Honorary Chairperson of IBCN.
Missions of IBCN: In order to build an association among important cities nationally and internationally for: (1) Mutual cooperation and development of business, trade, and tourism; (2) Social and public relations among business and professionals; and (3) Event and dinner parties for our community in an atmosphere of friendly and mutual cooperation.
Directors at the present time: Mr. Han Zheng, City Mayor of Shanghai; Mr. Jim Gibson, Mayor of Henderson, Nevada; Mr. Michael L. Montandon, Mayor of North Las Vegas; Mr. Feng Wei Lai, County Governor of Penghu, Taiwan; CEO of United Commercial Bank; among others.

III. Message from the Acting Chairperson
Acting Chairperson of IBCN Charlyne Chen was the Chairman of this Meeting. She reported the reasons to establish this Council. She also stated the need and mission of IBCN. She invited Dr. Tony Lei to have an action.
Dr. Lei motioned Ms. Valerie Weber as the one and only one Advisor of IBCN at the present time. The motion was seconded by Mrs. Judy Lei and unanimously voted.

IV. Yin Yan's Speech
Miss Yin Yan said that she was very glad to participate this Council. She was ready to put her effort, talent, and financial resource to it for its steady development.

V. Recommendation
Dr. Lei recommended Yin Yan as our Vice Chairperson. Ms. Valerie Weber seconded it and the motion was carried.

VI. Title
Mr. Michael Huang suggested to modify the title of the Council as "International City Business Council".

VII. The Vice Chairman
Dr. Lei recommended Mr. Michael Huang as the Vice Chairman and it was unanimously voted. Mr. Huang suggested to have the CEO of Xiang Fan, Hubei, China, Mr. Tommy Hu, as a Director of our Council. It was agreed.

VIII. Unfinished Business
Mr. Huang asked Dr. Lei to confirm the title through Google.com. [After the meeting, Dr. Lei had it as "International Cities Business Council". Miss Chen and Mr. Huang were informed by him through the e-mail immedeately.]

IX. New Business
A Dinner Party will be held at the time when the Delegation from Penghu to be here in Las Vegas in September this year.
Mr. Huang agreed with that IBCN and WBTI will be invited as the co-sponsors of the event (BAR-B-Q) by the Las Vegas Chinese Association and Chinese Benevolent Association of Las Vegas. The event will be held by them in Las Vegas for the Mid-Autumn festival this year in September.
A plan for The International Chinese Writers Forum is in progressing. Mr. Li Yan has been appointed as the Acting President of the Forum.
Acting Chairperson Charlyne Chen is interested in developing and recruiting cooperate members.

X. Executive Secretary
Miss Chen recommended Mrs. Judy Lei as our Executive Secretary of the Council. It was unanimously passed.

XI. Adjuornment
A motion to adjourn at 5:30 p.m. passed unanimously.

------------------------------------
Approved by Executive Secretary

--------------------------
Date

*****The name of "Intercity Business Council of Nevada (IBCN)" was changed to "International Cities Business Council (ICBC)" on August 15, 2005.

Monday, August 15, 2005
Copyright @ Las Vegas Review-Journal

Just $700 kicked off Buckley's LV gamble
Almost 25 years later, legislator eyes top Assembly post
By ED VOGEL
REVIEW-JOURNAL CAPITAL BUREAU

[[[Barbara Buckley, left, appears on the Assembly floor in June. She says her work with Clark County Legal Services, which provides legal aid to abused children and victims of domestic violence, offers insights that often induce her to write bills.
Photo by John Locher.]]]

CARSON CITY -- As a 20-year-old, Barbara Buckley took a trip from her Philadelphia home to Las Vegas to visit her best friend, who had just had a baby.

She quickly fell in love with the city and Nevada's wide-open spaces and decided to move West.

"Instead of staying for two weeks, I stayed a few months and got a job as a maid with the Culinary union," she remembers. "Hardest job in my life. Then I went back to Philadelphia, saved $700 over the next year and moved to Las Vegas."

Now, nearly a quarter-century later, Buckley, 44, has completed her third session as the majority leader of the state Assembly and her 11th year as the Democratic legislator representing District 8 in Las Vegas.

With Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, relinquishing his seat to run for governor next year, Buckley is the overwhelming favorite to replace him as speaker in 2007.

Nevada has never had a female speaker of the Assembly.

"I would be honored to be speaker if I am fortunate enough to be re-elected and we are fortunate enough to retain the majority," Buckley said. "I believe I will be the only nomination from our (Democratic) caucus."

Buckley says she might someday run for statewide office, perhaps attorney general or governor in 2010. Unless voters repeal the state's term limit constitutional amendment, the Assembly careers of Buckley and several other veteran legislators will end that year.

It's been a pretty heady career for someone who arrived in Las Vegas with no interest in politics and who doubted she would ever go to college.

But she found a job as a legal secretary and a friend and mentor in her boss, Las Vegas lawyer Richard Myers. She earned her bachelor's degree going to night classes at UNLV. Then she headed off to law school at the University of Arizona.

Buckley's parents were Democrats, but they weren't the kind of people who talked politics at the dinner table.

Her mother refused to drop quarters into coin slots in unmanned booths when they drove on toll roads. Instead, she would hand money to attendants at manned booths. She figured the attendants would lose their jobs if everybody bypassed them for the unmanned booths.

"They believed this country should be a place where people leave a better life for children," Buckley said.

Outside the Legislature, Buckley is a lawyer and mother of a 6-year-old boy and a teenage stepson. Her husband, Chan Kendrick, prefers to stay out of the public eye.

Buckley has served since 1996 as executive director of Clark County Legal Services, an agency that provides legal assistance to the poor. The organization offers help for abused children and victims of domestic violence. It also offers classes that teach people to represent themselves in small claims court.

"We work for people getting the raw end of the deal," Buckley said. "I love the job today as much as the day I began."

The work offers her insight into problems people experience. What she learns often induces her to write bills.

Buckley's imprint was on virtually all bills that concerned average people at the 2005 Legislature. She and Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, worked out a compromise that limits property tax increases on owner-occupied residential property to 3 percent a year and 8 percent on commercial property.

She and Perkins spearheaded changes in Gov. Kenny Guinn's proposed $300 million car registration rebate plan so that senior citizens who do not drive will receive $75 checks.

In addition, Buckley wrote a bill that reduces fees that can be charged to people who secure loans from payday loan companies. And she sponsored a bill that will help Nevadans secure lower-cost prescription drugs from approved Canadian pharmacies.

Guinn and Buckley have a friendly relationship.

"Barbara is a proud Democrat, and I'm a proud Republican," Guinn said. "That being said, we've worked well together during the past four sessions. She's very smart, very focused and works very hard. We've had a lot of give and take on a lot of important issues like Senior Rx, mental health, Canadian drugs and the DMV rebate, but we always seem to find common ground. I'm not at all surprised she's in line to be the next Assembly speaker."

Assemblyman Scott Sibley, R-Henderson, said Buckley is "a hard worker who knows her stuff. It isn't going to be a case of 'Let's have our first woman speaker.' She has worked well with me and other Republicans. She doesn't play games. She is honest. I don't know what more you can ask of a legislator."

With Democrats holding a 26-16 advantage in the Assembly, Sibley concedes it is unlikely that Republicans can win the majority and install their own speaker.

What has made Buckley effective, according to Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, is her willingness to assist other legislators in passing their bills.

"She has done things to help every member of the caucus," Leslie said. "She listens. She encourages dissenting opinions. She is a great leader."

Buckley does have her detractors.

During the session, Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, complained that Buckley and Perkins were taking her initiatives, revising them slightly and coming up with legislation that Perkins could use to tout his candidacy in the governor's race. Titus also is running for governor.

"In my mind, she (Titus) does deserve a lot of credit," Buckley said. "When people are running for higher office, they naturally become focused on the higher office. Once the race is over, I see us continuing to work together."

Buckley did not always support Perkins. They disagreed on a bill that some legislators thought would make it easier for Station Casinos to place casinos in neighborhoods. Buckley said the bill came late in the session and there wasn't enough time to discuss the ramifications of the bill. Perkins ultimately killed it.

"I disagreed maybe three times with Rich over the last 10 years," she said. "I didn't think we had enough time to examine the neighborhood casino bill. Rich has given me the opportunity to succeed. I thank him."

Steven Miller, policy director for the Nevada Public Research Institute, considers Buckley a big spender who is "part of the problem at the Legislature."

In particular, Miller and others, like Sen. Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, favor a constitutional amendment to limit state spending to the combined rate of inflation and population. Legislators approved a $5.9 billion spending plan that was nearly twice that rate.

"She has been working the liberal orchards for a while now," Miller said. "They are going to spend as long as they can get away with it."

Buckley said the rate of spending growth will drop in 2007. Budgets soared in recent years because legislators were making up for years of neglect in areas like mental health, she said. A mental health increase of 48 percent was approved by the Legislature.

Without such a large increase, Buckley said, the state could not have taken steps to reduce the number of mentally ill people who fill emergency rooms.

"We can't just kick them out," she said. "I think the Legislature does need to control spending. When we must spend at high rates, we need to explain why it is necessary."