Porter presents growth-related package; Titus not impressed

Tuesday, March 16, 1999 | 10:39 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- A package of bills to deal with the explosive growth in Southern Nevada on such issues as air pollution, school construction and economic development was introduced by Sen. Jon Porter, R-Boulder City, Monday.

The recommendations came from the Southern Nevada Strategic Planning Authority, which was created in 1997.

"These changes will really help the quality of life," Porter said.

Critics have complained the bills lack teeth to adequately manage growth.

Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, who has authored her own growth package of five bills, called Porter's bills "mostly housekeeping."

"They are not proactive, substantive kinds of things that deal with the problems of growth of the magnitude that we need to be dealing with them," Titus said.

Titus said she is curious to see how Porter's bills are received compared with her legislation.

Six bills were introduced by Porter and all were referred to the Senate Government Affairs Committee.

Porter wants to give the 13-member Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition, made up of representatives of Clark County and the four major cities, the force of state law under Assembly Bill 436. The coalition is operating under a local agreement now.

The strategic planning authority disappears as of April 1. The coalition would continue the work of the planning authority, Porter said.

Porter said one major issue facing Clark County is the ability to meet federal air quality standards. Senate Bill 432 proposes starting a smog check program of heavy duty diesel fuel machinery used in construction projects and establishing a visibility standard for urban haze.

Senate Bill 433 creates a community bond bank to permit smaller governments to sell their construction bonds through the bank, achieving a lower interest rate and saving money.

Under Senate Bill 434, a 13-member public-private committee would be established to provide a unified regional approach to economic diversification.

It would identify the physical and financial infrastructure needed for economic diversification. And it would conduct a nationwide comparison of the incentive programs designed to draw industry to Nevada.

The Clark County School District, under Senate Bill 435, would create a commission to oversee school construction, relieving the School Board of part of its responsibilities.

Senate Bill 437, Porter said, would help speed up construction on government projects such as streets and highways. It permits a local government to combine the engineering and construction of the project under a single contractor, which could lead to savings and faster work.

Porter acknowledged there will be critics of his six-bill package, "no matter what we do."

"I've learned to accept that, and once the bills are heard, there will be more and more support," he said.