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Assembly Speaker
Richard Perkins Addresses NSA A host of Nevada Subcontractors Association (NSA) members, along with friends and supporters of the organization, met at the Stardust Hotel on December 11, 2002 to hear Richard Perkins, speaker of the Nevada State Assembly, discuss various bills and topics scheduled to be brought before the legislature as the session begins in Carson City next month. Those attending the event included Doreen Coddington, The Roofing Company and NSA president; Cindy Nevin, NSA executive director; John Vergiels, legislative consultant; Mark Paxson, Metric Roofing, and president of the Roofing Contractors Association of Nevada (RCAN); C. Frederick Charles, RCAN executive director, Henry Sharpe, Sharpe Plumbing, along with other individuals who play a role in the regional construction industry. During the luncheon, Mark Paxson presented Doreen Coddington with a check for $5,000 from RCAN to support NSA’s legislative efforts vis-a-vis the Coalition For Fairness In Construction. Nevada Assembly Speaker Perkins told attendees that he was born and raised in the Silver State. "My wife and I have five children. "I’ve lived within a 2-mile radius for my entire life, attending Basic High School and UNLV. Although I’m a Democrat, my goal has been to shrink government as much as possible. Did you know the Declaration of Independence contains 1,300 words; the Ten Commandments has 179 words; while the Gettysburg Address contains 286 words? I recently noticed that our government’s manual on the sale of cabbage boasts 26,900 words." According to Perkins, 63 members make up the Nevada Legislature. "There are 42 in the Assembly with 21 Senate seats. It’s a diverse group that includes 5 attorneys, 19 business owners, 7 consultants, 1 contractor, 2 doctors, a pastor, 3 ranchers and a number of other representative occupations. In this session, we have 20 new members, 16 of whom are in the assembly. So far, there are 835 bill requests – a lot to handle during a 120-day session. Two years ago, there were 1,252 bills to be addressed. Less than half of this number were passed." Perkins said that taxes will be a dominant issue. "Governor Kenny Guinn’s task force is looking for a broader tax policy in order to reduce the state’s large deficit. The construction defect, availability of liability insurance, and medical malpractice insurance rates are other problems that must be resolved. It’s not the first time we’ve addressed construction defect legislation. Whatever bill comes up in this session must contain a provision allowing homeowners access to the courts. A construction defect bill recently passed in California that seems fair in this regard." Perkins ended his remarks by urging attendees to educate legislators as to the construction defect dilemma. "It’s vital that your Coalition For Fairness In Construction inform every legislative member as to your position in this matter. Each of the 63 legislators, including all the new members, will be informed regarding this problem. When push comes to shove, I believe the construction industry has a better chance to get some fair legislation passed during this session." |
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