Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus hopes for less partisanship

Friday, Jan. 17, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

"The stakes are so high it will force us to be less regional and partisan," Titus said in an interview. "We'll need to work harder together. I'll make a greater effort on my part to make this happen."

One source of potential problems could be just across the hallway from the Las Vegas Democrat's newly renovated office: Republican Majority Leader Bill Raggio of Reno.

"We have a lot of respect for each other, but we're very different," Titus said. "We're from different generations, he's from the north while I'm in the south, he's Republican, one of the good old boys.

"You couldn't get a better contrast."

But Titus, a Georgia native, said in her distinctive Southern drawl that she's willing to hold weekly, one-on-one meetings with Raggio if necessary.

She added that Democratic Gov. Bob Miller will help build a bridge over the historical differences because he'll need bipartisan support for his budget plans, education package and other initiatives.

Known as an outspoken liberal, Titus speaks for nine Democrats in the Senate - seven from Clark County - compared with Raggio's 12 Republicans, six from Clark County.

And she reprenents the fastest-growing city in the nation. Las Vegas gets from 4,000 to 6,000 new permanent residents every month, she said.

"I've heard that each hotel room that opens brings 1,000 people, including construction workers and service jobs," Titus said. "That's caused a lot of traffic problems and air pollution. We can't let it go on this way."

"But the state can't take on all of the responsibility for managing the growth. Some of the decisions must be made closer to home with the counties and their zoning regulations."

Northern Nevada also demands support for its infrastructure needs, she said. Recent flooding has added a new element to the discussion, Douglas County is growing rapidly and Reno's battle with Union Pacific Railroad may result in the relocation of tracks, she added.

Titus also plans to present a "pack of bills" on domestic violence as well as a bill requiring stricter inspections for railroad cars carrying hazardous materials.

Titus is starting her third term in the Legislature. Every other year she takes an unpaid leave of absence from her political science professorship with the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and travels north to help make laws.

"I enjoy the Legislature," she said. "But I wouldn't rule out a higher office."