Land sale funds get plenty of attention

[NVMojo]

WASHINGTON -- President Bush's plan to shift millions of dollars from federal land sales from Clark County is receiving some favorable early reviews on Capitol Hill, to the dismay of Nevada lawmakers who view it as an unfair grab.

Republicans who head the appropriations panels that write spending bills are intrigued by the idea, which the Department of Interior outlined for them in briefings over the past few weeks, according to lawmakers and aides.

"We'll be taking a close look at the president's proposal, but it does seem clear that the existing law governing Clark County land sale revenue needs to be re-examined," said Sen. Conrad Burns, R-Mont.

In the House, the proposal is getting an early thumbs up among appropriators.

"We think the administration's proposal is fair, and we're going to give it consideration," said John Scofield, a spokesman for the House Appropriations Committee. "It's an extremely lean budget year, and we're going to be looking anywhere we can for savings."

Interior Secretary Gale Norton said in an interview Thursday that large sums generated by Clark County land sales could prompt lawmakers to change the law.

The funds currently are slated to pay for a Clark County shooting range and wetlands visitor center and a Spring Mountains recreation and information center, among dozens of other projects in Southern Nevada.

more....

http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2005/Feb-26-Sat-2005/news/25946303.html