I believe that our success as a nation, a state and a community will come from common-sense solutions to the challenges we face. I believe that we need and deserve a government that is accountable to us and that allows each of us, as individuals, the freedom and ability to realize and reach our potential. As part of my vision for our great state, I have created a five point plan:
1. Improving Education
Both my wife and I were educated in the Clark County School District. My sons, are currently, or will be attending Clark County Public Schools. I understand, and have a personal interest in the issues facing our educational system here in Southern Nevada. I support:
- Congressman Gibbons Education First Funding Initiative. The 2003 legislature was the first time the school budget had ever been tied to a tax package and we need to know that it can never happen again.
- Giving parents a choice in their children's educational opportunities. It is essential that families, wealthy or poor, have the same opportunities to get their children a quality education. Charter schools, tuition vouchers, and open zoning will allow parents at all income levels to choose the best environment for their children.
- Greater education accountability at all levels. School administrators should be accountable for the quality of education in a school. Teachers should be accountable for the quality of education in the classroom. During the 2003 legislature, we commissioned an audit on the school system and need to ensure that the results are shared with the public. We MUST institute the changes necessary to make Nevada a leader in education.
- Directing allocated educational resources back into the classroom and to our kids.
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2. Creating Economic Growth:
I support protecting Nevada's "resident and business friendly" tax structure, which promotes economic growth. It is proven that tax cuts stimulate the economy and increase overall tax revenues. In order for the tax cuts to take their full effect, there must also be reduced, responsible, and controlled Government spending.
- Knowing that all business taxes are directly or indirectly passed on to the consumers, during the 2003 legislature my colleagues and I were successful in the fight against legislation that was to create a first ever state corporate income tax, which would have hurt businesses and you.
- I will continue to work hard, creating strong relationships and opportunity-rich conditions to position Southern Nevada as a leader in new business development.
- These conditions include a low tax rates, superior education, state of the art infrastructure, and minimization of government regulations on small businesses and individuals.
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3. Improving Health Care:
Nevadans deserve the ability to visit their doctor of choice as well as choose a health care program the suits their individual needs. I support:
- Working to keep medical malpractice premiums low enough to encourage medical practitioners to grow their business here in Nevada.
- Providing a solution to help make prescription drugs more affordable to seniors.
- Health care coverage plans that make health care more available and affordable to Nevada residents.
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4. Controlling Government Spending:
There is a continued need for increased efficiency and monitored spending of tax dollars within Nevada. Increasing taxes is not the solution, rather proper use and distribution of your hard earned tax dollars (money out of your pocket) is the key. There are legitimate needs for services paid for by tax dollars. And, I will continue to fight to protect your pocket book and your interests by keeping taxes low. Government Officials must be accountable your tax money, and how it is spent. I support:
- A Zero-Based Budget System: A zero-based budget system requires government to re-budget with a balance of zero. Each and every activity to be funded must be justified every time a new budget is prepared providing detailed accountability.
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5. Strengthening Public Safety:
As a father raising a family, I place critical importance on the public safety issues and concerns facing our communities. I continue to work with our police, fire and emergency response personnel to assure that they are equipped and have the necessary resources available to them. As your Assemblyman, I work closely with our State Homeland Security Advisor to insure that our communities are protected.
- In the last session, I introduced and passed legislation, which assures that fire and police officers who are permanently disabled on the job will have inflationary adjustments made to their long-term disability income.
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