Eight-time speaker Dini is quitting Assembly

Cy Ryan and Erin Neff

Friday, May 17, 2002 | 9:37 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- After 36 years, Assemblyman Joe Dini, D-Yerington, dean of the lower house, is calling it quits.

"Nobody is indispensable," the 73-year old Dini said. "It's time to slow down."

Dini, who has had health problems, said his doctor cleared him to run for the Assembly, where he served as speaker in eight sessions. But Dini said, "I don't have the pick up and go," adding he "wants to leave on top."

Although granted the title of speaker emeritus when his position was given to Richard Perkins of Henderson, Dini often appeared to carry only ceremonial power during the 2001 Legislature.

He broke with his party during redistricting, arguing with Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, that the Legislature should be expanded -- a proposal that went nowhere.

And when all redistricting talks broke off on the final day of the session, Dini wasn't sent to make peace with Raggio, because the new guard from Clark County didn't want an expanded Legislature.

Dini did not mention the sour ending to the 2001 session among his reasons for calling it quits. Fellow Democrats such as Perkins spent the past few days trying to talk him out of it.

"This is the biggest single loss to the state in my memory," Perkins said. "I learned at the foot of the master."

Dini hinted his son George may run in his place. The younger Dini manages two restaurants that his father owns.

The former speaker has received several offers to lobby on such issues as water, on which he is considered an expert, he said.

Dini's retirement "probably ends one of the greatest legislative careers in the state of Nevada," Raggio said.

"It certainly will be very difficult if not impossible for Nevada to replace him," said Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, who served as co-speaker with Dini in 1995, when there was a 21-21 split in the Assembly.

Dini has $30,000 in uncashed checks in campaign contributions and he said he will return those. He has another $60,000 in cash that he may donate to a charity such as the Boys and Girls Club in Yerington.

Dini isn't the only old-timer leaving the Legislature. Sen. Lawrence Jacobson, R-Minden, has 40 years between the Assembly and Senate. But he was left without a job under the reapportionment plan adopted by the 2001 Legislature.

Others declining to run for re-election this time are Sens. Mark James and Bill O'Donnell, both Las Vegas Republicans. Sen. Jon Porter, R-Henderson, is seeking the new congressional seat. Assembly members Bonnie Parnell, D-Carson City, Roy Neighbors, D-Tonopah, and David Humke, R-Reno, also have decided not to seek re-election.

Through the years, Dini was involved in many water issues, helped draft the updated Tahoe Regional Compact, supported economic development project, agriculture, education and said he became the rural spokesman for senior citizens.

He said he also pushed for more money for the arts.

"I've been involved in a lot of things," he said.

Dini has served under six governors -- Paul Laxalt, Mike O'Callaghan, Robert List, Richard Bryan, Bob Miller and Kenny Guinn.

Dini "set the standard for what a lawmaker should be," Guinn said Thursday. "In addition to devoting his life to public service, he has been one of those rare legislators who always understood the needs and interests of all Nevadans."

O'Callaghan called Dini a "reliable legislator who got a lot done in a very quiet way." Dini, he said, "leaves behind a legacy of accomplishments as a legislator. He was fair to Southern legislators."

In the future, Dini said, he wants to spend more time with his family and travel with his wife, Mouryne.