Age just one sign of wisdom in Legislature

Tuesday, Dec. 10, 1996 | 11:59 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- There's an axiom that youth will be served.

But not this time on the Senate Finance Committee, one of the most powerful in the Nevada Legislature. In the session beginning in January, the average age on the seven-member committee is nearly 61.

Sen. Lawrence Jacobsen, R-Minden, the longest-serving member of the Legislature, is 75, and committee Chairman Bill Raggio, R-Reno, is 70.

But while the committee is graying, there's little to suggest members are less open to new ideas or government programs for younger people.

"The main governing factor in voting is party affiliation and the region you come from ... it's not your age," said Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, the second youngest committee member at 54.

Jim Richardson, a professor of sociology at the University of Nevada, Reno, says as senators accrue seniority, they get their choice of committees -- and finance is on top of their agenda.

"Somebody who didn't get funded last time may not agree, but they do a good job of looking at all the needs," Richardson said.

There hasn't been an increase in four years in the monthly checks for welfare families, and child care legislation has not been approved.

But Richardson, who lobbies for the Nevada Faculty Alliance, says you can't blame that just on the Finance Committee.

"Historically, child care has not been funded," he says. "But they have a strong interest in education, kindergarten through the 12th grade.

"None of the class-size reduction would have taken place if the committee did not agree."

Coffin adds, "You can always learn something from the older members. If you don't think you can learn, they will teach you a lesson.

"Look at Raggio. He gets cagier every year."

Raggio is also Senate majority leader.

Sen. Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas, is the youngest member of the Finance Committee at 46. Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, is 56; Sen. Jack Regan, D-North Las Vegas, is 62; and Bernice Mathews, D-Reno, is 63.

The average age of the Senate is 53 compared with 48 in the Assembly.

But there are plenty of seniors in the Assembly. Three-termer Gene Segerblom, D-Boulder City, is 76; Vivian Freeman, D-Reno, who chairs the Health and Human Services Committee, is 69; John Marvel, R-Battle Mountain, the senior Republican, is 70.

Assembly Speaker Joe Dini, D-Yerington, will be 67 in March. Assemblyman John Carpenter, R-Elko, is 66.

But unlike the Senate, there are some in the Assembly just beginning their political careers. Assemblyman David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, is 27 as he starts his second term. Mark Manendo is 30 and also in his second term. And newly elected Dario Herrera, D-Las Vegas, is the youngest member of the Legislature at 23.

Jacobsen has indicated he will call it quits when his term ends in two years. Raggio, just re-elected, may not seek another term in 2000. And Dini has hinted he may end his career after this session.

Term limits may also play a part in Legislatures down the line. Assemblymen and senators will be limited to 12 years in each house. That means there won't be anyone to challenge the record being set by Jacobsen, who will have had 36 years at the end of this term.