Economy, Taxes & State Budget
Economy & Taxes
Nevada has a business-friendly, low tax environment. As the only candidate for Governor to put forth a plan to help solve our state's budget crisis without raising taxes, I do not believe in raising taxes. If we plan to compete for new jobs, new industries and a more diverse economy, we must not change our low tax environment in Nevada. This means stopping a corporate income tax in its tracks.
Response To Nevada's Short-Term Budget Deficit
With Nevada facing a budget shortfall and difficult decisions, I felt it was important to present a plan to save more than $500 million without raising taxes and avoiding mass layoffs. We were the only campaign to do so. You can read the plan in its entirety here.
The Constitution
2nd Amendment
As a former Federal Judge, I respect the rule of law. I strongly believe that the 2nd Amendment applies to individuals. I believe that all citizens have a right to firearms for sporting and self-defense purposes. I also support concealed carry laws.
States' Rights (10th Amendment)
I have a profound respect for the United States Constitution and believe it should be strictly interpreted. The Tenth Amendment, which is the foundation for the expression of state's rights, is extremely important in the face of continued federal intrusion upon state's rights. As Governor, I will aggressively protect Nevada's state's rights under the Tenth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.
Fighting Crime
Public Corruption - Created The Unit That Prosecutes Them
Elected officials must actively work to protect the trust placed in us by citizens. As Attorney General, I set up the first public integrity unit to investigate and prosecute officials who violated the public trust and I am committed to restoring honesty and integrity to state government.
Death Penalty
Individuals who violate the trust of our society should be punished for their actions. For those who commit the worst crimes, I support the death penalty.
Education
With three children in Nevada's public school system, I have a vested interest in education. I believe we must focus on accountability with consequences and expand opportunities for choice. We should no longer allow salary schedules based on tenure and seniority; instead, we should use pay-for-performance scales. I support school choice which would allow students to attend another public school or a private school. I support ending the social promotion of our children and expanding empowerment, charter and career and technical schools.
We must reform Nevada's teacher licensure laws to allow more professionals to enter the teaching field and expedite the process to allow educators from other states to become licensed here.
My education plan can be viewed here.
Health Care
Health Care Bill
The recently passed congressional health care bill fails to reduce costs on small businesses, increases costs to states and is completely at odds with the transparency promised by our country's leaders. For Nevada, penalizing businesses and individuals who cannot afford to purchase health care and raising taxes billions of dollars will further harm the economy of our state.
Health Care Lawsuit
As a strong state's rights advocate, I am disappointed by the Attorney General's refusal to join several other states in a suit against the federal government alleging the violation of state's rights under the U.S. Constitution.
The constitutional questions created by the health care bill are monumental in all future matters involving states rights and other constitutional issues. I believe they warrant review by the courts, and Nevada should be a party to that action.
Immigration
Amnesty
I oppose amnesty. As a Federal Judge, I saw both sides of the immigration issue. It was my duty to sentence undocumented immigrants for their crimes, but it was also my honor to swear in new Americans and to see the smiles and pride on their faces as they completed the process of becoming a citizen.
We must be able to verify that those individuals who work in our country are here legally and are eligible for work. Businesses who knowingly hire illegal immigrants should be held accountable.
I believe that we must enforce our laws, secure our borders and respect the efforts of those who have become a citizen through the proper legal process.
The American Dream is alive and well, but it must be pursued legally.
Driver's Licenses For Undocumented Immigrants
I oppose giving driver's licenses to undocumented immigrants. Nevada law requires proof of legal residency and a social security number to obtain a driver's license. I support the law and oppose any changes to the law.
Abortion
I am pro-choice; I oppose partial-birth abortion, late term abortion and federal funding for abortion. I support parental notification prior to a minor receiving an abortion and am against transporting minors across state lines for abortions.
2003 Tax Increase
The Nevada Constitution is clear. The budget must be balanced and education funded by the beginning of the next budget cycle. In 2003, the Nevada legislature had failed to meet these constitutional obligations.
As a result, the Governor filed a suit asking the Nevada Supreme Court to order the legislature to comply with the Nevada Constitution. As Attorney General, it was my duty to represent the Governor in that action.
Let's be clear, the suit did not ask for or imply that taxes should be raised or the two-thirds supermajority requirement even be debated. In fact, in testimony before the Assembly, I stated "this office is not going to opine on how you accomplish balancing the budget, only that you must balance the budget by July 1, 2003. How you get there is the business of this body."
The simple truth is that the decision to invalidate the two-third supermajority requirement was made unilaterally by the Nevada Supreme Court. It was a decision I did not agree with then, and I do not agree with today.
Yucca Mountain
Yucca Mountain is the proposed site for the permanent storage of the nation's high level nuclear waste. As Attorney General, I opposed the project because the federal government could not demonstrate that the site could properly protect the health, safety and welfare of the men, women and children of Nevada. If there is a safe, alternative use for the site, I would welcome it.
