Nevada Senator Richard Bryan charged yesterday that the National Gambling Impact Study Commission violated open meeting laws by discussing business behind closed doors twice this week. Chairwoman Kay James said that a 20-minute private session on Tuesday, and a 1-hour session Wednesday, were to discuss personnel and contracts, but that didn't mollify Bryan.
"I wish I did not have to constantly look over the commission's shoulder to make sure they are following the law," Bryan said. "This is a taxpayer subsidized commission spending $5 million of the
taxpayer's money, and they should have a much greater respect for the rules that everyone else must obey."
Bryan complained to the General Services Administration, as he has before, and said that the GAO agreed that the panel is subject to open meeting laws and should issue a public notice before going into private session. Bryan also said the commission did not make public a draft report it discussed at last week's meetings.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Robert W. Loescher may be the only voice of reason in terms of Internet gambling. When there was reference to presumed unanimity to prohibit it, Loescher demurred, saying that although he has concerns about gambling in the home, he thinks communications technology was going to converge in such a fashion as to make prohibition meaningless.