The 72nd session of the Nevada Legislature, which began in February of this year, will conclude by June 2, 2003. This is the first legislative session after the 2001 reapportionment from which northern and rural Nevada lost Senate and Assembly seats to southern urban Clark County.

In the Assembly, Speaker Richard Perkins has chosen an advisory team that includes many rural Nevadans as part of his "Kitchen Cabinet". Assemblymen Lynn Hettrick, Tom Grady, John Marvel, John Carpenter, Pete Goicoechea and Rod Sherer are rural Assemblymen.

The Assembly Natural Resources Committee has only three of twelve legislators who have an understanding of rural Nevada. They are Assemblymen John Marvel, John Carpenter and Pete Goicoechea. The remaining nine members of that committee are all from Clark County. Several of them are "freshmen" serving their first elected term. However, Assemblyman Tom Collins, Clark County, who has a great interest in rural Nevada, chairs the committee.

In the Senate, veteran Senators Dean Rhoads, Mike McGinness, Maurice Washington, Joe Neal, Ray Rawson, Ann O’Connell and Majority Leader Bill Raggio all have an interest in rural Nevada.

Senator Dean Rhoads chairs the Senate Natural Resource Committee. Senator Mike McGinness also serves on this committee. These two Senators have great concern for Nevada’s rural areas.

There are other rural advocates that have lobbyists working on issues important to rural Nevada. They include Nevada Cattlemen’s Association, Nevada Farm Bureau, Nevada Association of Counties, and the League of Cities as well as representatives from the rural counties and cities including Churchill County, City of Fallon, Lyon County and City of Fernley.

Citizens of Nevada, unlike in many states, have good access to their legislators. Most legislators are interested in input from their constituents and are willing to discuss the various issues.

Opinions on bills can be expressed to legislators through the Nevada Legislature web site at www.leg.state.nv.us, by telephone at 800 995-9080, or by mail at 401 S. Carson St., Carson, City, Nevada 89701.

At some point in his career, Samuel Clemens may have served as a clerk or journal keeper during the early history of the Nevada legislature. Allegedly, it was during that time he observed, "When the (Nevada) legislature is in session neither man nor beast is safe."

© 1998-2006 Lahontan Valley Environmental Alliance. All rights reserved.
Designed and hosted by CC Communications. Questions? Comments? Write to our webmaster.