Sparks is on its own

Members of legislatures and Congress are often thought of as lobbyists for their local districts, so Washoe County Sen. Maurice Washington’s announcement that he will not support Sparks in its effort to withdraw from the Reno Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority was a surprise. His district includes a substantial portion of Sparks.

So if Sparks officials can’t count on their own senator, will Washoe County’s powerhouse help? Senate Republican floor leader William Raggio says he’s not on board, either. “I guess we’d give it a hearing, but I still say I wouldn’t like to see us dividing our efforts.”