Reapportionment faces long battle
Monday, May 21, 2001 | 11:17 a.m.
CARSON CITY -- The biggest political battle of the decade will wind down this week behind closed doors in the state's Legislative Building.
Although Assembly Democrats pushed a reapportionment plan through their house on Friday, even they admit the games have only begun.
"This is a fair and constitutional and solid plan," Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, said in urging her colleagues to support Assembly Bill 665.
But Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, saw that plan to reapportion the state's congressional, Assembly and Senate districts as something very different.
"It's a great place to begin negotiating from," said Hettrick, who led all Republican Assembly representatives to vote against the bill.
Today Senate Republicans are expected to wrap up a reapportionment plan that includes expansion of the state Legislature from 63 to 69 seats -- adding four districts to the Assembly and two to the Senate -- in an effort to help northern and rural Nevada retain its current level of representation.
Two Democrats joined the GOP opposition to AB665 on Friday, claiming the plan that keeps the size of the Legislature at 63 seats will erode the value of rural seats.
"I have to argue for the loss of rural seats that would occur in keeping the same number of seats," Marcia de Braga, D-Fallon, said.
Bonnie Parnell, D-Carson City, also voted against the bill, which passed 25-17.
But the dissension in the ranks isn't limited to Democrats. Republicans are also waging an internal battle over the size of the Legislature. Many, including Gov. Kenny Guinn, favor increasing the size, while others worry the cost doesn't justify appeasing northern interests.
On Wednesday the Senate Government Affairs Committee will hold its first public hearing on the Senate Republican reapportionment plan. Meanwhile leaders of both houses will meet in private to try to craft a compromise between the Assembly bill and whatever Senate Republicans unveil this week.
Before the session, lawmakers agreed to wrap up reapportionment by May 25 in an effort to keep redistricting politics away from the other policy issues remaining in the final two weeks of the session.
But the self-imposed deadline this Friday now looms ominously for both parties as dissenters continue to argue in caucus meetings and publicly for other options.
"In the long run we'll negotiate this thing into something more workable," said Assemblyman Joe Dini, D-Yerington, who disagrees with his leadership's plan but has voted for it as a show of party faith.
As talks progress this week, Guinn is expected to take his most hands-on approach of the session. Both Democrats and Republicans will try to craft a compromise that can withstand the governor's veto.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Pinnacle CEO resigns after meeting confrontation
- As earnings fall, Riviera unsure if bankruptcy can be avoided
- Trial set for parents of boy, 4, who died in hot vehicle
- Scientology foe’s arrest raises issue of rights
- Wynn Resorts to begin paying shareholder dividend
- Las Vegas home prices, sales rise in October
- Miguel Cotto camp says big cut in June fight an asset now
- NY-NY sues Calif. man alleging trademark infringement
- If you can rebuild the whole car, then why not allow an engine change?
- Cada cherishes moment as poker’s youngest champ
Blogs
The Kats Report
Of tanking, drugs and 'Slim': In 'Open,' Andre Agassi beats the odds
Robin Leach's Las Vegas Celebrity Watch
Who are the Final Four on Dancing With the Stars?
Politics: Ralston's Flash
Drugs bring Nevada governor, first lady back together (3 Comments)
Elsewhere
Macau's gambling industry faces nightmare of water rationing (2 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
Top Chef Odds Week 11: And then there were six
Politics: The Early Line
Rep. Berkley livens health care debate with story of her own (1 Comment)
Now and Then
Wranglers to face familiar foe and that's putting it mildly
Calendar »
- 11 Wed
- 12 Thu
- 13 Fri
- 14 Sat
- 15 Sun
-
Days of the New at Wasted Space
Wasted Space | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
DJ Boris at Godskitchen
Body English | 10:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
-
Holding on to Sound at Beauty Bar
Beauty Bar | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
-
Rockabilly Wednesay at Revolution Lounge
Beatles Revolution Lounge | 10 p.m. to 11:59 p.m.
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati












