In a state with few people, the city with the most wins the power game. In Nevada, that makes Las Vegas the undisputed champ. Las Vegas, which welcomes as many as 6,000 new residents a month, is the reason Nevada is the nation's fastest-growing state. The city's population is expected to reach 1 million by 1995, four times what it was in 1980. An estimated 800,000 people live there now, out of 1.3 million in the state as a whole. The three rural counties fighting Clark County's water plan have a combined population of less than 35,000. That means Clark County controls the Nevada Legislature: 36 of 63 state lawmakers are from the Las Vegas area, and the contingent is sure to grow with next year's reapportionment. So what Clark County wants, Clark County has the numbers to get. ``If there's something in state water law we can hang our hat on to deter this plan, the power is in Las Vegas and Clark County and they'll just go ahead and change the law,'' said Steve Bradhurst, a consultant to the rural counties. Las Vegas also is the state's financial anchor. Last year, Clark County casinos accounted for 70 percent of the state's $4.6 billion in gaming revenues. Clark County needs to keep growing for the state's economic health, officials say. ``There is one large metropolitan area from which the bulk of all revenues in this state come, and that's Clark County,'' said Pat Mulroy, manager of the Las Vegas Valley Water District. ``If . .. it goes downhill, the whole state goes downhill.''
Las Vegas , located in Clark Count has 99 people living there out of 1.3 million people in Nevada . That gives Clark county control in the state Legislature since they have an estimated 800,000 of the Three seats. Three counties with 1.3 million people are fighting the Las Vegas water plan with little chance to win. Las Vegas is holding another ace up its sleeve since Clark county Casinos provide for 70 percent of the state's gaming revenues. Basically, whatever Clark County wants Clark County gets. Other counties hope they don't go down the drain if Clark County mishandles the water law.