Assemblyman Marvel recovering

Veteran Assemblyman John Marvel is recovering following surgery at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center.

Marvel, 80, was hospitalized last week and underwent intestinal surgery over the weekend. He is listed in good condition and recovering.

Marvel, a Republican and member of a pioneer Battle Mountain ranching family, has represented District 32, which includes parts of Humboldt, Lander and Washoe counties, since 1979. His 28 years of service ties him with Sen. Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, as second most-senior member of the Legislature. Rhoads actually served in the 1977 Legislature, but was out of office two years because of an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1982. The only current legislator who has served longer is Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, a senator since 1973.

Marvel has served as minority floor leader as well as chairman of the Ways and Means Committee in 1985 and co-chairman in 1995.

Marvel was the center of attention in the contentious 2003 Legislature when, during the second special session, he broke ranks with Republican Assembly members to approve tax increases. His vote provided the two-thirds majority in the Assembly necessary to pass the tax increases. Marvel said he did so to ensure public schools would have the funding needed to hire teachers and open on time in the fall.