Raggio doesn’t worry about losing leadership

Thursday, May 6, 2004 | 10:07 a.m.

RENO -- Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, isn't worried about reported efforts by some Southern Nevada GOP senators to force him to give up either his leadership post or his chairmanship of the powerful Finance Committee.

"I don't lose any sleep at night about this," Raggio said.

Raggio, at the state Republican Convention Friday, announced he would run for his ninth term in the Senate, where he has served since 1972. His re-election would make him the longest-serving state senator in history.

A group of GOP senators in Clark County, including Sandra Tiffany of Henderson, have been talking about separating the leadership positions. One scenario would be for Raggio to step down as majority leader.

Questioned by reporters, Raggio said, "I doubt (Tiffany) speaks for the majority of the caucus."

Tiffany, reached Friday, said she favors some change but noted that it's too early to know the makeup of the Senate. There were 13 Republicans and eight Democrats in 2003.

"If he comes out as majority leader, I will be very respectful," said Tiffany. She said there probably could be two new GOP senators and there might be some Republicans who lose in the election.

But she added that: "It's time for a change."

Raggio said, "I respect her and feel she is a very good senator."

He said he has not been told about a challenge by other members of the Senate GOP caucus.

Raggio said it was up to the caucus if he continues to serve as majority leader.

"So far, I haven't had any indication otherwise. and I would expect the committee chairs to remain the same if they want to hold those positions," he said.

Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno, a close ally of Raggio, said he believes Raggio will keep both posts.

"The caucus, in the end, will end up united," Townsend said, calling Raggio the "most capable" one to chair the Finance Committee and to make the tough decisions on where the money should go. "We can't have somebody making willy-nilly decisions in there."

Raggio said the first priority is to get re-elected and hold the GOP majority in the Senate.

He foresees the 2005 session as being "easier" than the two prior ones that dealt with reapportionment and taxes, with each requiring special sessions to get their work accomplished.

Raggio does not see any bills to increase taxes this coming session.

"That issue is behind us for the foreseeable future."

He suggested there may have to be cuts in some budgets in 2005 because of limited tax revenue. And he called the referendum to repeal the $833 tax increase approved in 2003 "almost asinine."

If the taxes were repealed, there would be long waits for such things as mental health programs and there might be caps on enrollment in the university system. And some prison inmates might have to be released, he said.

That referendum apparently will fall short of getting the required number of signatures to put the issue on the November ballot.

Raggio said he does not support the initiative petition of the schoolteachers' union that would have Nevada finance its public schools at least up to the national average.

"It's a worthy goal, but you know the national average ... you're chasing your tail because that's a moving target. When some state raises it very high, we may not be able to match that," he told reporters.

He said teachers in Nevada have a "very high average salary" and the pay rank in the upper quartile of the nation. "Don't let people talk that down," he said. "We're able to keep and retain good teachers and we need a lot more because of our tremendous growth, particularly in Southern Nevada."

"You always wish you could do more, but you have to be fiscally responsible," said the 77-year-old Reno attorney.

Raggio served more than 18 years as Washoe County district attorney and ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1970, losing to incumbent Democrat Howard Cannon before being elected to the state Senate in 1972.