Parnell, two state Supreme Court justices file for new terms

Carson City's Bonnie Parnell says she will continue to work on stabilizing the Public Employee Benefits Program if elected to a third two-year term.

Parnell, a Democrat, filed for re-election in District 40 on Wednesday.

In addition to the employee- benefit program, she said, she is working on efforts to deal with Carson's and Nevada's growing methamphetamine epidemic, as well as strengthening the temporary protective order system designed to prevent domestic violence.

Parnell is also concerned about improving protection of seniors from fraud and young people from abuse and neglect.

She has one Republican opponent so far - anti-tax activist John Wagner - in the district which covers the majority of Carson City plus part of southern Washoe County.

In addition, Zephyr Cove Republican Rick Gardner filed for Assembly District 39. That is the seat representing Douglas and lake portions of Carson City and Washoe County. The incumbent, Lynn Hettrick, has said he is not running for another term.

Democrat JoEtta Brown plans to file in that district Friday.

Two Nevada Supreme Court justices filed for re-election Wednesday.

Nancy Becker and Michael Douglas already have announced opponents in their bids to return to the high court. Nancy Saita has announced she will take on Becker, and Dianne Steel has already filed for the seat Douglas holds. Both are Clark County district judges.

Saita has already mentioned the high court's controversial ruling that education-funding mandates in the Constitution supersede the two-thirds requirement to increase taxes. Becker said that case involved five different constitutional provision and the court's 6-1 decision was an attempt to "harmonize them as best we can." She pointed out the Legislature took that ruling, went back to work and found a two-thirds majority to pass the budget and tax increases necessary to pay for it.

Asked about mandatory minimums and enhancements to sentences, Becker said it is the Legislature's right to determine that certain sentences should require a minimum amount of prison time or an enhancement for such things as using a weapon.

But she said lawmakers also need to leave some discretion in the hands of judges so they can "tailor" sentences to the crime in specific situations.

Douglas said the court is continuing to work on issues such as speedier handling of child custody cases and making sure those who have to file their own appeals without the help of a lawyer are fairly treated, even though they may not know the technical details of handling an appeal.

"The courts in Nevada still believe things should be decided on their merits, not technicalities," he said.

He said the court is trying to make more efficient use of its existing staff before asking lawmakers to add more staff.

John Carpenter, of Elko, filed for re-election to Assembly District 33. The Republican has represented the district, including Elko and part of Humboldt County since 1987.

He said rural economic development and water are key rural issues. But Carpenter, ranking minority member of the Judiciary Committee, said methamphetamine addiction is an epidemic in Nevada. He said even in Elko, three children have died as a result of methamphetamine abuse. He said meth pushers have got to do prison time and users - especially young users - must be put in rehabilitation programs.

• Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.