Yesterday, the NAB held a small, private event with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.  Tony Bonnici, Bob Fisher and Adam Sandler represented the Nevada Broadcasters Association at this event.  In what was an emotional moment, Senator Reid thanked Senator Smith for their work together on the Garrett Lee Smith Memorial Act, which President George W. Bush signed into law in 2004.  $82 million was set aside for suicide prevention and awareness programs in colleges.  Senator Smith's son Garrett committed suicide six and a half years ago when he was 21.  Senator Reid's father also committed suicide when he was a young man.

In his remarks Senator Reid talked about the other Senate races around the country, and he also spoke of his own tough race.  When asked about the "Piggy Radio" billboard advertising campaign, Senator Reid responded by saying, "No legislation will be brought to the Senate floor during this session.  There is too much opposition in Congress."

The Nevada Broadcasters Association is grateful to the Majority Leader for giving us the opportunity over the past six months to hold two meetings in Washington, D.C., and one meeting in Las Vegas -- with members of his staff, to discuss at length the issue and impact of a Performance Tax on Nevada's radio stations. 

Last night, at a NASBA Dinner attended by both Bob and Adam, one of our colleagues mentioned a quote made by a leader of the opposition who said that the broadcasters had "overreacted" to a "Performance Royalty".

A media advisory has now been distributed announcing protests being planned outside the NAB Convention.  Unfortunately, while writing " The protestors are calling attention to the ongoing refusal by radio corporations to pay musicians a single penny for their work" -- the advisory forgets to address the hundreds of millions of dollars radio stations currently spend on airing the musicians and promoting their music; and forgetting to talk about what the record labels are not doing for their artists!.