Dina Titus for Congress

Name:	Dina Titus for Congress
Office:	US House - Nevada - CD3
Website:	dinatitus.com

Background:

Dina Titus has dedicated her entire professional life to education and public service. She has taught American and Nevada government at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, for 30 years. She has represented the people of Senate District 7 in the Nevada Legislature since 1988, serving as the Democratic Minority Leader from 1993 – May 2008.

A strong advocate for education at all levels, Dina has fought to maintain smaller class size in the important early grades and sponsored legislation for full-day kindergarten.

Dina has also sought to protect Nevada’s most vulnerable citizens – children, seniors, and the disabled. She sponsored legislation creating Nevada’s Check Up Program to cover uninsured children. She cosponsored a successful bill allowing seniors and other Nevadans to purchase less expensive prescription drugs from Canada, pushed successful legislation mandating enhanced penalties for criminals who commit identity theft, and won passage of legislation doubling penalties for offenders who commit crimes against disabled persons.

One of the proudest moments of Dina’s career came in 2006 with the dedication of the Dina Titus Estates, an innovative affordable housing complex for persons with disabilities, in recognition of Dina’s tireless advocacy.

Dina also led efforts to crack down on sexual predators with legislation increasing penalties for sex offenders, requiring lifetime supervision of their conduct, and establishing a state website that allows concerned citizens to identify locations in their neighborhoods where paroled sex offenders reside. Her successful 2007 bill prohibits registered sex offenders from living near schools, parks, and other places where children congregate.

To protect Nevada families against rising property taxes with the potential to tax them out of their homes, Dina proposed a freeze on property tax valuations that led to the Nevada Legislature’s capping increases at 3%, a move praised by both sides of the aisle. She has also been a leading advocate of “smart growth,” proposing a “ring around the valley” in Southern Nevada to better manage sprawl. She was successful with legislation to protect environmentally sensitive Red Rock Canyon, our greatest natural treasure located here in District 3, from encroaching development and to require developers to complete neighborhood impact studies before receiving approval for major projects.

Developing renewable energy resources has been one of Dina’s priorities in the legislature. She has successfully pushed legislation to establish a portfolio standard requiring utility companies to acquire a certain percentage of green power. She championed creating a net metering program to allow individuals to generate their own power and sell the excess back to the utility companies, as well as green pricing options for consumers and tax incentives to companies that develop solar and wind energy generation. Dina also sponsored successful legislation to create an inventory and registry of companies in Nevada that emit greenhouse gases in preparation for a “cap and trade” program to reduce emissions and help offset effects of climate change.

Advocate in the making

Dina grew up in the small community of Tifton, Georgia, where her Greek grandfather ran a restaurant. There was no Greek school or church, however, and the family had to drive 125 miles away to Jacksonville, Florida, to get feta and olives.

Dina learned from a close-knit family the value of community involvement and was introduced to politics at an early age. On the Titus side, her uncle served in the Georgia Legislature as a Republican and her father ran for a seat on the Tifton City Council. He went on to serve as the Head of the Building and Safety Departments for both Tifton and Henderson, NV. Additionally, the “coffee table” in her Papu’s downtown restaurant was always occupied by local politicos arguing about current issues.

Dina’s high school years included cheerleading and tap dancing, in addition to her studies. A dedicated student, Dina attended a summer program at the historic College of William and Mary and did so well that she was admitted full time for the fall - without a high school diploma. Attending school in the heart of American democracy during the height of the civil rights movement and the Vietnam War inspired Dina to study Political Science and engage others in the critical issues of a changing world.

After earning her Bachelor’s degree from William and Mary, Dina went on to earn a Master’s degree from the University of Georgia and a Doctorate from Florida State University

She taught for a year at North Texas State University in Denton and then moved to Nevada to accept a faculty position at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Over the past 30 years, a virtual who’s-who in government, public service, and legal circles has studied with Professor Titus, whose classes consistently rank among the most popular offerings on the campus.

In 1987, Dina decided to put theory into practice and run for elected office. Her 20 years in the State Senate have brought the richness of first-hand experience to her classroom.

Dina also created and continues to coordinate the Legislative Internship Program at UNLV, which each session affords the opportunity for a group of students to work at the Legislature in Carson City.

Adventures around the globe

Dina has been married to Professor Thomas C. Wright for over 28 years. Wright’s studies in his field of expertise - Latin American History - have taken the couple on extended journeys to Costa Rica, Chile, Argentina, Mexico and Spain. Tom received the prestigious UNLV Distinguished Professor award in 2008. John Wright Hall on campus is named for his father, a Civil War historian and early pioneer at UNLV.

Dina and Tom share a love of travel, global culture and folklore – and include among their favorite destinations Spain, France and Greece. As a scholar and legislator, Dina has particularly enjoyed visits to Greece – the birthplace of democracy as well as the source of her personal lineage as a Greek-American. She has also visited Taiwan and Siberia as a legislative liason.

Dina has over the years amassed an extensive collection of handcrafted miniatures (“because they’re much easier to pack,” she jokes) from each country she and Tom have visited. Her collection includes numerous “Santas” and Christmas craftworks from around the globe.

Dina’s travels have not only brought unforgettable personal experiences, but have also informed her research and teaching with the perspective of numerous cultural viewpoints and political systems.

Atomic Dina

A noted non-fiction writer, Dina is the author of Bombs in the Backyard: Atomic Testing and American Politics (University of Nevada Press, Revised Edition 2001) and Battle Born: Federal-State Relations in Nevada During the Twentieth Century (Kendall-Hunt, 1989). She has also published numerous scholarly articles on American, Nevada, and atomic politics. See her academic vita on the UNLV Political Science Dept. website.

Dina is internationally known for her expertise in the history and policies related to nuclear power, weaponry, and waste – as well as her knowledge of the popular lore of “Atomic culture.” This unique area of study extends to a wide-ranging personal collection of atomic memorabilia. She appeared in the 2006 PBS documentary The American Experience: Las Vegas – an Unconventional History by acclaimed director Steven Ives, and is a favorite source on all things nuclear for the media. She was honored to give a guest lecture to the Los Alamos Historical Society and present an academic paper at the International War and Peace Conference at Sokendai University in Tokyo.

Today, the Atomic Testing Museum on the Las Vegas campus of the Desert Research Institute features the Dina Titus Reading Room, in recognition of her scholarly achievement in the field.

Family traditions and community causes

Family life and traditions are paramount in Dina’s life, evidenced by everything from elaborate holiday celebrations carried over since childhood to the avid weekly movie matinee going of Dina, her mother, Betty, and her sister, Rho, who is a professor/administrator in the Education Department at Nevada State College. Dina’s family has also been a pivotal part of her campaigns for elected office – with no task too large or small. Those who work with Dina often greet Betty Titus simply as “mama,” recognizing that the family’s circle of support extends to all. She lost her father Joe last summer and was overwhelmed by the outpouring of sympathy from constituents and supporters who had heard some of his stories of the South. And Tom is well known for his mapping and editing skills.

Personal and professional achievements

Dina’s work on the campus and in the community has been recognized with numerous awards from varied groups, including:

Hands Across The Arts Award, 2008

Rape Crisis Center, Community Service Award, 2008

American Institute of Architects, Livable Community Award, 2008

NOW of Southern Nevada, Outstanding Leadership Award, 2007

Solar NV, Nevada, Renewable Energy Leadership Award, 2007

Nevada Committee on Participatory Democracy, Jean Ford Award, 2007

Nevada Arts and Humanities Award for Public Service, 2004

Nevada Women’s Lobby, Outstanding Nevada Women, 2003

Nevada Disability Advocacy and Law Center, Legislative Advocate Award, 2003

University of Nevada, Las Vegas, President's Medal, 2002

Nevada Attorneys for Criminal Justice, Profiles in Courage Award, 2001

Mediators of Southern Nevada, Peacemaker of the Year, 2001

Las Vegas Review-Journal, Favorite Female Las Vegan, 1997, 1999

Las Vegas Review-Journal, Outstanding Legislator of the Year, 1999

Nevada Arts Advocate of the Year, 1999

Spanos Outstanding Teacher, UNLV, 1985

Chairman, Nevada Humanities Committee, 1984-1986

Goals:

I am running for Congress because I believe the people in CD3 need and deserve a champion for their interests, not a pawn of the special interests. The first time I ran for office, I said, ”I think for myself and nobody owns me.” It was true then; it was true throughout my years in the State Senate; it is true now; and it will be true when I’m in Congress.
My main concern is taking Nevada common sense, hard work, and old fashioned values back to Washington instead of bringing Bush’s failed policies home to Nevada.
My opponent, Jon Porter, has consistently voted with George Bush for big oil, big pharmaceutical companies, big insurance companies, and staying the course in Iraq, all at the expense of the citizens in CD3. In Washington, he plays in a rock and roll band. I say, we’ve heard enough of that same old song; it is time to change the music. With your help, that’s what I intend to do come election day: change the direction this country and this state are going.

Issues:

Need for Change:
Gas prices/renewable energy
Healthcare
Education

Grassroots Support:

Grassroots organizing is a critical part of our campaign strategy. Our campaign believes personal voter contact is essential to persuading swing voters.

The campaign will utilize volunteer phone calls and canvassing to reach out to our target universe of persuadable voters. Volunteers will also be hosting house meetings which will introduce the campaign to their social networks and raise money for our candidate. Volunteers will also help the campaign by staffing events for our candidate as well as provide visibility for the campaign at other events. Volunteers will also be an essential component of the campaign's GOTV effort. Our campaign staff will work with the volunteers to contact our entire GOTV universe through phone calls and canvassing.

Senator Titus knows how important to Nevada it is to win State Senate and Assembly races. The Titus campaign will identify supporters for targeted State Senate and Assembly races to help supplement the grassroots organizing efforts of these candidates. This will be a significant contribution to the field programs of these campaigns and strengthen our legislative candidates' campaigns.

DFA Values:

Energy

Dina Titus has been a pioneer and champion of developing clean, renewable energy to reduce our dependence on foreign oil …

 Pushed for legislation mandating the state’s utilities produce 20% of their power from renewable energy by the year 2015, i.e., renewable energy portfolio standard

 Won passage of legislation in 1995 to give consumers the option of buying power from alternative energy sources; i.e., green pricing

 Successfully proposed legislation in 1997 allowing homeowners to produce their own solar power and sell excess energy back into the utility grid; i.e., net metering

 Introduced successful legislation in 1997 to give tax breaks to renewable energy companies locating in Nevada

Troops and Veterans

Dina Titus has recognized the personal sacrifice of Nevada’s troops and veterans …

 Sponsored legislation in 2007 to pay $10,000 bonuses to members of the Nevada National Guard who entered the Guard after the 9-11 terrorist attacks

 Sponsored successful legislation in 2005 to create a women veterans outreach office in Nevada

 Supported legislation in 2005 to increase property tax exemptions for disabled veterans with more than one disability, and in 2001 supported legislation increasing the amount of property tax exemptions for veterans from $1,000 to $2,000

 Supported legislation in 2005 to improve the standard of care for veterans in veterans’ homes

Ethics in Government

Dina Titus has worked to reduce the influence of lobbyists and strengthen disclosure laws in Nevada …

 Sponsored successful legislation in 1991 outlawing honoraria paid to legislators

 Sponsored a successful measure in 2007 to force LLCs to disclose members who contribute to candidates

 Cosponsored legislation in 2005 to require public officials to disclose all gifts from lobbyists

 Cosponsored successful legislation in 1995 prohibiting lobbyists from making campaign contributions to legislators 30 days before a legislative session, during the session and 30 days after the legislative session; successfully proposed similar legislation in 2007 prohibiting contributions to a public official’s legal defense fund before, during and after a legislative session

 Cosponsored legislation in 1997 to require disclosure of all contributions in state or local government of $100 or more, lowering the reportable limit from $500 and giving the public more knowledge about the source of campaign contributions

Tax Policy

Dina Titus has protected Nevadans from escalating property taxes, and provided special tax relief to seniors …

 Scored more conservatively than the Nevada Senate Republican majority leader on tax votes in the 2007 session

 Proposed a 1-year freeze in property assessed valuations in 2005, with a cap on property tax increases equal to the consumer price index after the freeze was lifted; her proposal led to the Nevada Legislature adopting a 3% cap on the amount residential property taxes could increase annually; her plan was praised by Republicans and Democrats alike

 Sought in 2005 to double the rebate lower-income senior citizens are eligible to receive on their property taxes

 Pushed for a DMV fee rebate plan in 2005 providing an equal rebate for every Nevadan with a driver’s license, rather than giving the largest rebates to owners of expensive vehicles and business fleets

Health Care

Dina Titus has been at the forefront in reducing health care costs through more affordable prescription drugs, and in forcing health insurers to extend coverage …

 Won passage of a bill in 2005 making generic drugs more accessible

 Successfully sponsored legislation in 2007 requiring health insurers to provide coverage for the human pappilomavirus vaccine for women an girls to prevent cervical cancer

 Co-sponsored legislation in 2005 allowing Nevadans to purchase less expensive prescription drugs from Canada

 Sponsored legislation in 1997 for the Nevada Check-Up Plan that matched federal dollars with state dollars to provide health insurance coverage for an additional 20,000 uninsured Nevada children

Education

Dina Titus, a college educator who has taught thousands of Nevada students over three decades, has made support of education a cornerstone of her public service …

 Has been a strong advocate and protector of the Millennium Scholarship program in Nevada, providing scholarships to students who otherwise might not be able to attend college; fought off efforts in 2001 and 2003 to allow private investors to buy the state’s share of the tobacco settlement money used to underwrite the scholarship program, potentially the number of scholarships

 After strongly supporting efforts to establish smaller class sizes in Nevada schools in the early 1990s, fought attempts in 1999 and 2001 to shift class-size reduction money to other programs and permit larger classes in the early grades

 Pushed in the 2005 and 2007 legislative sessions for all-day kindergarten to give Nevada kids a good start in school in their important early years

Environment

Dina Titus has been proactive in protecting Nevada’s natural resources and safeguarding Nevadans from toxic threats …

 Spearheaded legislation in 2005 and led a commission to preserve Nevada’s natural treasures, including Mount Charleston and Red Rock Canyon; successfully fought with state legislation in 2003 a developer’s plans to build on 2,500 acres adjacent to the Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area

 Introduced and won passage of legislation in 1997 to crack down on toxic releases from the Titanium Metals Corp. plant in Henderson

 Proposed a “ring around the valley” in 1997 to better manage growth in the Las Vegas Valley and won passage of legislation in 1999 requiring developers to show the impacts of their projects

 Sponsored successful legislation in 2007 requiring the State Environmental Commission to mandate the reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from electric power plants