Secretary of State backs stronger campaign reporting

Secretary of State Dean Heller says he agrees with those calling for strengthening of Nevada's political contributions and expense reporting.

"I have gone to the Legislature every two years with bill draft requests seeking to enhance the information obtained from candidates on contributions and expenses reports," Heller said. "Unfortunately, many of the changes I have sought to enact have died in committee."

He said he will continue to advocate changes that increase public access to information about politics and political campaigns.

"If lawmakers agree with me that more disclosure is better, then we will see some of the changes that are necessary to make the forms more people friendly."

Heller said his bill draft requests for the upcoming legislative session include giving his office the authority to audit contribution and expense reports, requiring that all candidates -- including those who now file locally -- file their reports with his office and requiring those reports be filed every year on one form that includes information pertaining to unspent contributions from previous campaigns and contributions of more than $10,000.

He said he will back Assemblyman Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, who has said he will again introduce his bill to require candidates report cash on hand from previous campaigns.