Friday, May 11, 2001 | 11:10 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- Several Hispanic residents testified Thursday that neither major political party has their best interests in mind when it comes to carving out boundaries for the Legislature and Congress.
Some suggested both Republicans and Democrats are in it for themselves -- an idea that grew apparent amid partisan bickering during an Assembly Elections, Procedures and Ethics Committee hearing on reapportionment.
Republican committee members argued that the public should be able to see the Senate Republicans' plan to add seats to the Legislature. Committee Chairwoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, argued the hearing was only about the Democrats' plan.
"I've seen both plans," Hispanic activist Fernando Romero said, testifying from Las Vegas. "We are very much in favor of our own.
"It seems everybody's interested in the Hispanic agenda, but you're not listening to us," Romero added.
Gilbert Cortez, a small-business owner in Reno and president of Latinos Unidos, said he wants to know why no Hispanics serve in the 63-seat Legislature despite comprising one-fifth of the state's population. Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, is the only legislator with Hispanic heritage.
"Both parties, in my estimation, are not at all concerned," Cortez said.
The Democrats propose keeping the size of the Legislature at 21 Senate and 42 Assembly seats. Their plan creates one incumbent-free Senate district with a 65 percent Hispanic population and creates two Hispanic majority Assembly seats.
However, the six open seats created in the Assembly have Hispanic populations ranging from just 9 percent to 17 percent.
Republican maps, released last week, propose five Assembly districts in Southern Nevada, ranging from 51 percent to 55 percent.
Much of the infighting among committee members focused on the size of the Legislature.
Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, asked why the Assembly should remain at 42 seats. Under the Democrats' plan, Southern Nevada would control 70 percent of the 42 seats -- the same percentage in Republican maps. "Why is 70 percent of 42 different than 70 percent of 46?" Hettrick asked. "You would have better representation of the interests if you increased the size."
Giunchigliani argued against expansion, which she said was "just to protect a geographic area or Northern voice, at the expense of the Southern voice."
To add a wrinkle to the partisan debate, Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, argued against expansion because of the cost, and Joe Dini, D-Yerington, argued for it to allow rural Nevada to maintain its voice.
Several Republicans asked Giunchigliani to allow their maps to be part of the debate, a request she denied. Following one witness' testimony, Beers distributed a small map showing three of the Democrats' proposed Assembly districts and suggesting they "dilute" the Hispanic voice in the way they are drawn.
"To pass out just a small portion of a map doesn't give any consideration to the whole," Majority Leader Barbara Buckley, D-Las Vegas, said. "You can't draw things in isolation."
Later, Bob Fulkerson, executive director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, angered Republicans by saying he was glad Democrats hold the majority in the Assembly and have control in that house over reapportionment maps.
"Frankly, they have a much better track record on it," Fulkerson said, speaking specifically about the Hispanic community.
Kathy Von Tobel, R-Las Vegas, snapped: "I'm offended that you would suggest we don't have the ability to draw districts."
A variety of witnesses testified, most in support of the Democrats' plan, but several warned that better options do exist.
A coalition of Southern Nevada Hispanics will meet Saturday to discuss their maps and proposal for redistricting.
Romero argued against creating majority-Hispanic districts with incumbents because, he said, current lawmakers have an upper hand in fund-raising.
"We may have a public hearing for you guys," Romero said.
Reapportionment is shaping up to be a bitter partisan battle with little consensus on any idea. Senate Republicans have not yet introduced a reapportionment plan in bill form, in part because they have not reached consensus on the size of the Legislature.
On Thursday Senate Republicans had a lengthy closed-door caucus with Gov. Kenny Guinn. More of these exclusive meetings are likely for each party in each house as the legislative session draws to an end.
Lawmakers have imposed a May 25 deadline to finish reapportionment.
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