Inside Politics - December 2004

Divided We Stand

Partisan Politics and the 2005 Legislature

by Jennifer Crowe

Bipartisanship is one of those fabulous, feel-good terms politicians love to throw around as they attempt to endear themselves to the electorate. Whether it’s a victory or concession speech, calling for voters to unite is common phraseology in post-election posturing.

It sounds good, but turning the bipartisanship sound bite into a political reality is an almost impossible task, given how deeply the country is divided. Here at home, it remains to be seen whether Nevada lawmakers can forget the bad feelings of last session and buck the national trend of polarizing politics in favor of some spirit of bipartisanship.

In his concession speech in Boston, Democratic presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry called for unity in the country. He asked us to put the bitterness of the campaign behind us, and unite together for a better America. President Bush echoed this theme in his victory speech later that day in Washington D.C. But before that warm and fuzzy feeling could take hold, the call to unity was gone and the rhetoric was back.

The next day Bush was proclaiming the power of his political capital and his plans to spend it on such priorities as improving Social Security, overhauling the tax code and tort reform. He called on Congress to aggressively move a domestic agenda that has largely been stalled the past four years by an almost evenly split Senate. Democrats didn’t hesitate to jump into the fray, promising protracted battles on the President’s most controversial proposals.

All of this should be no surprise. In fact, we expect it.

However, being a Nevadan has typically meant relying on state elected leaders to quickly move past the partisan bickering of the election and get down to work. In the past, the day after the election was a time for winners on both sides of the aisle to come together and begin the task of setting aside campaign-season nastiness until the next election cycle. Sadly, that doesn’t look to be the case this year.

And it’s truly a shame. It was only 10 years ago that the Nevada Assembly was faced with an even split in the chamber, forcing Democrats and Republicans to share control of the house. There were chairmen and vice chairman from both parties leading up the committees, and leaders from both parties shared responsibilities for managing the floor action. It was an unprecedented effort in Republicans and Democrats working together and a model for us to take pride in. Despite the division, lawmakers were able to get things done.

For the eight years, Nevadans could generally trust that despite the differences, when it was time to move on legislation for the betterment of everyone in the state, it would happen. There hasn’t been an even split in the Nevada Legislature since, but that hasn’t stopped leaders – from both parties and both houses – from attempting to bridge the partisan divide whenever possible.

Not anymore. The downfall that began last session seems on track to be cemented in the 2005 session. The Great Tax Battle of 2003 could look like a kindergarten sandbox fight compared to what may be on the horizon for this session. Two years ago, the bitter partisanship in the Assembly resulted in two special sessions to resolve the tax dispute. Camaraderie was a scarce commodity by the session’s midpoint, and outright hostility and nastiness was prevalent by the end. Many legislators were so soured on the process they questioned whether they wanted to return.

While some of the bad feeling faded, the bitterness remains. There is definitely a less collegial mood and attitude as we gear up for the 2005 session. Not even something as historically simple as committee assignments will be simple this session. Majority party leaders have honored the requests of the minority party in the past, but there’s no guarantee of such traditions surviving this year.

Assembly Majority Leader Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, has picked up three seats, putting his majority at 26 to 16. However, don’t expect the Assembly Republicans to stand aside when it comes to the Democrats’ agenda related to growth, healthcare, water resources and education. Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville, needed only 14 from his ranks to stall tax legislation in 2003 and force the special sessions.

Senate Democrats are hoping to have a slightly louder say in that chamber with the addition of one seat. The new 12-9 split provides Democrats sufficient numbers to have three members on each committee. Expect Senate Minority Leader and 2006 gubernatorial candidate Dina Titus, D- Las Vegas, to use her new slot on Senate Finance to get her message out loud and clear.

Republican Majority Leader Bill Raggio continues to lead the caucus, but is going to have his hands full this time around, thanks to some changes. The loss of veteran leaders such as Ray Rawson and Ann O’Connell is sure to be felt as new faces ascend to leadership and up the committee rank.

It’s not all bad news. Plenty of honest, hard-working people are set to convene in Carson City this spring. Some faces we know, others are new, but all are there for the same reason: to serve the people of the state of Nevada. And we can have confidence that – for the most part – they will do a good job.

Still, it wouldn’t hurt legislators to take a cue from the school kids and remember the rules of playing nice together. It’s to everyone’s benefit to leave the childish antics at home this session.

Jennifer Crowe
Jennifer Crowe is a communications consultant in Northern Nevada and a former political reporter and editorial writer for the Reno Gazette-Journal.