Perkins speaker and Buckley majority leader in Assembly

Henderson Assemblyman Richard Perkins Tuesday announced that Barbara Buckley of Las Vegas will be majority leader for the Democrats in the 2001 Legislature.

She takes over the post from Perkins, who takes over the speaker's post from longtime Speaker Joe Dini of Yerington. Democrats maintained a 27-15 majority in the Assembly in the general election.

"Barbara's leadership, her ability to bring people together on tough issues, her understanding of the issues critical to our state and her expertise on the law and the legislative process make her the natural choice for this position," said Perkins.

Dini will take over from Buckley as chairman of the Commerce Committee. Dini said Buckley will be his vice chair on that committee, which this session must deal with the electric deregulation plan put on hold by Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Buckley authored the Nevada Patient's Bill of Rights in 1997 and headed creation of the health care ombudsman in 1999. She also worked to make sure a majority of the funds from Nevada's share of the tobacco settlement were used for health care programs focused on seniors, children and the disabled.

Dini steps down from the speaker's chair after having been at that post for eight legislative sessions. He is the first ever to be named speaker more than twice in the Nevada Assembly.

Perkins becomes speaker after two sessions as majority leader for lower house Democrats.