Lyon County Republicans in harmony

YERINGTON - Republican Roger Bishop has announced his candidacy for the District 38 State Assembly seat currently held by Assembly Speaker Joe Dini, a Democrat.

Dini, 71, announced last week he would run for re-election.

Bishop, a 10-year Dayton resident, noted the contest would be a difficult one during his announcement at the Lyon County Republican Convention on Saturday.

"I will put a sincere and deep effort into the campaign. It will be difficult, but with your help and support, we can do it," Bishop told the 40 delegates at the Yerington gathering.

"If we don't elect people who can embrace and fight for the constitution of our country, we will not have much. It is my duty to do that and the best way I can do it is to be member of the Nevada legislature."

Bishop was defeated by Dini in 1998.

Lyon County Republicans deliberated in relative harmony as they established their 2000 election year political platform.

"We are in a war and we are out to win the war. If there is something that divides us, let keep it low key. It's the war we want to win," Harris said before debate over the proposed platform began.

Touching on some politically sensitive issues, delegates supported nuclear waste storage at Yucca Mountain if Nevada maintains control of all regulations and that any money generated becomes the property of the state. The issue of abortion was voted off the agenda, but delegates supported maintaining a pro-life stance in the platform.

Also included among the 80 plus statements:

- Approved a proposal for the State of Nevada to provide liability insurance for public educators.

- Opposed Sen. Joe Neal's 5 percent tax hike on gross gaming revenues, but supported a smaller increase.

- Opposed the Nevada Education Association's tax initiative proposing a 4 percent tax on businesses.

- Opposed removal of the $50,000 cap on civil suits as proposed by the Nevada Trial Lawyers Association.

- Placed a 90-day limit on presidential executive orders not approved by Congress.

- Opposed the granting of special rights to homosexuals.

- Demanded local and state control over water and land issues.

- Supported elimination of the inheritance tax and death tax.

Platforms from each of the 17 county conventions will be submitted to the State Platform Committee for consideration. The state platform will be debated May 25-27 at the State Republican Convention in Carson City.