Dini running for Nevada Assembly - again

CARSON CITY - Democrat Joe Dini, who has been the state Assembly speaker a record eight times, said Thursday he'll seek another term as a Nevada lawmaker.

Dini, 71, said it's too soon to talk about the possibility that the speaker's job - the most powerful job in the Assembly - will be his for another session.

''There's a moratorium on that. We're going to wait and see who wins in the elections,'' Dini said. ''If the Democrats stay in control, then we'll have it out in a caucus. We'll let the caucus decide.''

''I haven't hustled any votes yet,'' the veteran lawmaker and Yerington casino owner added.

Asked about talk that his Democratic majority leader, Assemblyman Richard Perkins, might be the speaker during the 2001 session, Dini said those reports ''went a little overboard.''

Similar speculation was raised in 1997 and 1999. Dini got along so well with Perkins, a Henderson police officer elected in 1993, that in 1995 he appointed him majority floor leader.

Dini also said that with reapportionment on tap for the 2001 session, he wants to be on hand when lawmakers ''determine rural Nevada's political destiny for the new century.''

Other issues that are key to western Nevada's future include water allocations from the Walker River, which runs through his district, growth, economic development, quality of life issues and health and long-term care reform, he said.

Dini was first elected to the Assembly in 1966. In addition to his record as speaker, he has served in Nevada's lower house longer than anyone in state history. He represents District 38, covering Lyon and Storey counties and part of Carson City.

If Dini didn't serve as speaker, another option would be a key Assembly committee chairmanship - like Government Affairs, which he chaired for 10 years and which handles water issues. However, Democrat Doug Bache already has that assignment.

Another possibility is Commerce, which deals with issues he relates to as a businessman - but which is led by Las Vegas Assemblywoman Barbara Buckley.

Another possibility is Reapportionment, which would place Dini in the spotlight for one term but would only be a one-term committee.

But everything hinges on the November elections. Democrats now hold a 28-14 voting edge over Republicans, who are hoping to increase their ranks by at least eight to gain a majority.