Regents name two buildings after legislative leaders

Over objections from two members, the Board of Regents has voted to name two buildings after longtime legislative leaders Sen. Bill Raggio, R-Reno, and Assemblyman Joe Dini, D-Yerington.

Regents voted to name the new library and student center at Western Nevada Community College in Carson City to honor Dini, the eight-time speaker of the Assembly who represents Lyon, Storey and part of Carson City. He was praised for his efforts to help the university system during the years.

The new College of Education building at the University of Nevada, Reno will be named after Raggio. Campus President John Lilly said Raggio's leadership helped get financing for a number of buildings throughout the system.

Raggio already has his name on a science and technology center in Reno, a high-tech center at Community College of Southern Nevada and the parkway leading to the Desert Research Institute in Reno.

But regents Linda Howard and Mark Alden, both of Las Vegas, objected. Alden said Friday it was bad public policy and "a form of pandering" to name buildings after officials still in public office.

Howard made a similar objection, saying buildings shouldn't be named after officials who are alive and in office.