Perkins, Titus retain their leadership spots in Legislature

Thursday, Nov. 4, 2004 | 11:26 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, was re-elected to that post, and Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, will again serve as minority leader in the 2005 session of the Legislature.

The Assembly Democrats, in control 26-16, held their caucus Wednesday in Las Vegas and chose Perkins to be their leader. Perkins then named Barbara Buckley of Las Vegas to continue as his majority leader. He said other leadership posts and committee assignments would be made in about three weeks.

Asked about the upcoming special and regular sessions, Perkins said, "I am hopeful that they will be more respectful" and less partisan. He was referring to the 2003 session in Republicans tried to block a tax increase for as his majority leader.

Assemblyman Bernie Anderson and Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, both of Sparks, participated in the caucus by telephone. They were snowed in at the Reno airport.

Perkins said the Democrats may have more members on the Ways and Means Committee where his party now has an 8-6 majority. By picking up three seats in the Assembly, the speaker said he would consider increasing the Democratic membership on that committee.

The Senate Democrats, who are in the minority, held their caucus Wednesday night and chose Titus to again be their leader. There was no opposition.

With the Democrats increasing their membership in the Senate from 8 to 9, the party will get an added seat on the influential Finance Committee that shapes the state's budget.

Titus said she would take that seat. The other members of the committee are Sens. Bob Coffin D-Las Vegas, and Bernice Matthews, D-Reno. Titus, who won her fifth term Tuesday, has traditionally served on the Judiciary Committee.

She will be replaced on the Judiciary Committee by freshman Steven Horsford, who won election in Senate District 4 in Clark County. Titus said Horsford has "promised to learn the rules as well as (longtime senator) Joe (Neal) did."

Neal, who did not seek re-election, was recognized as an expert on the Senate's rules.

Las Vegas resident John Lee, elected in Senate District 3, will serve on the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee. Titus said she hopes the appointment of Lee, a contractor, will "appeal to business."

Senate Republicans are to meet today and Majority Leader Bill Raggio of Reno is expected to retain that post. While there has been talk about a revolt among Southern Nevada legislators to take over the post, that appears to have faded and Raggio is said to have the necessary votes to hold on as majority leader and as chairman of the powerful Finance Committee.

Former Sen. Ann O'Connell of Las Vegas was chairwoman of the Senate Government Affairs Committee, which handled a heavy workload. She was defeated in the primary, so Sen. Warren Hardy, R-Las Vegas, is expected to take her place on the committee.

Former Sen. Ray Shaffer, R-Las Vegas, who was defeated by Lee, had been chairman of the Transportation Committee. Sen. Dennis Nolan, R-Las Vegas who was vice chairman of the committee in the last session, is expected to move up to chairman.

Former Sen. Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, was chairman of the Human Resources and Facilities Committee in the last session. He was defeated and either Sen. Barbara Cegavske of Las Vegas or Sen. Maurice Washington of Sparks is expected to be named chairman.

Assembly Republicans, in the minority 26-16, hold their caucus Friday in Reno. Assemblyman Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, said he expects to to continue to be minority leader.