flash actionscript: on ( press ) {
buttonName = this._name;
menuExpand (buttonName);
}

i have a button with:

on ( press ) {
menuExpand ( buttonName );
}

and the function doesnt get the var buttonName

soooooo back to my original question...

can i put a reference to a function to in an:

on (press) {

}

event handler?????

yes. the code in your first post would work if your button is a true button
and your function definition is on the same timeline as your button. if you
button is a movieclip button, you should prefix your function name with
this._parent..