1.    Stimulate Creation of More and Better Jobs

          Nevada must cultivate a thriving and globally competitive economy with a diverse business base, enabling job growth and prosperity.  We will not get ourselves out of this economic recession by competing with dozens of other states to lure large, multi-national corporations to locate here.  Rather, we must help grow and strengthen thousands of small and medium businesses that employ 5, 10 or 50 individuals in communities across the state.  Let’s start with the niche we are famous for worldwide; and launch creative new efforts to develop jobs delivering cutting-edge gaming products, services and experiences.

  • Intra-Nevada Remote Gaming

     Allow individuals to establish an account, then place wagers using specially created wireless devices, cell phones, computers, in-home & in-room cable-TV boxes and WITH kiosks anywhere in the state.  The bets could be on sporting events, live 2-way table games or virtual games conducted by a computerized random-number generator.  Similar systems are in-place and working well in many parts of Europe.  By doing this, Nevada companies will have increased revenue resulting in the creation of more jobs and the generation of more taxes.

  • Nevada’s Global Innovative Gaming Initiative

     By launching Intra-Nevada Remote Gaming, we would establish Nevada as the worldwide epicenter of the fast-growing, regulated, interactive gaming industry.  California, Florida, New Jersey, Illinois, & Washington, DC - as well as the federal government - are currently reviewing legislation for allowing citizens to further utilize remote gaming. 

     The emerging regulated remote gaming market in North America alone is projected to be worth $13.4 billion in the next few years. (According to H2 Gambling Capital, London, the leading supplier of data and market intelligence regarding the global gambling industry.)

     Nevada can be the “Silicon Valley” of this new high-tech gaming industry – or not.  Thousands of jobs can be created in Nevada – or not.  As it looks right now, that’s not going to happen.  Nevada has not been encouraging, or even hospitable, to the global remote gaming industry.  This spring, the Global iGaming Summit & Expo will, for the tenth year, convene in Canada – not feeling welcome in Nevada.  That attitude must change if we are take advantage of the impending re-invention of gaming.  Remote wagering on horse racing is legal in most of the states in the US – but not here.

     Nevada can be at the cutting-edge of this huge opportunity – or we can watch it go by and be viewed as a quaint and increasingly irrelevant part of Americana.  Those who grow-up with i-phones and playing wii aren’t likely to be attracted to playing out-dated slot machines in our casinos when they turn 21.

     Nevada can be the center-point for the impending convergence of digital entertainment, e-commerce, wireless gambling, skill-based games, person-to-person wagering, traditional casinos, virtual reality, and the use of cable and satellite TV for delivering interactive gaming content – or not.  The next Governor can make the difference.

  • NV Gaming regulators should relax

     The Gaming Commission was created based on the belief that the continued growth and success of gaming is dependent upon public confidence and trust that gaming is conducted honestly and competitively. Its stated mission is “to foster the stability and success of gaming and to preserve the competitive economy and policies of free competition of the State of Nevada.”  That is an essential service and is vital that the Commission and the Gaming Control Board get back to that focus.  No one granted them authority to be the arbitrator of what personal conduct is right or wrong; moral or immoral.  There is a great deal of difference between what a sober person might consider inappropriate – and what private conduct should be banned.  For the hospitality-based economy to thrive – and for well-paying jobs to endure – the regulators need to get back the basics of their mission.

  • Seizing the Energy Opportunity

     Nevada needs to be a leader in the innovative movement towards alternative and cleaner energy.   Now is the time to foster these new industries, create energy independence and good jobs for working families. I believe that protecting the environment and growing the economy can be done simultaneously.  America’s national and economic security depends on moving off foreign oil as quickly as possible. As a transition, while new sources are coming on line, there is much we can do to utilize natural gas.  For one thing, it is the cleanest, most abundant, most economical domestic fuel to replace imported diesel. The U.S. has enough natural gas reserves to last us more than 118 years – we should turn to it as an immediate replacement for foreign oil in fleets and heavy duty vehicles.  I will see that the state uses natural gas as much as feasible as a bridge to the future.  We will encourage the building of new CNG Gas Stations (Compressed Natural Gas).

  • Marriage Equality – A Lost Opportunity (for now)

     In 1931, when Nevada re-legalized gambling, it also loosened restrictions on both marriage and divorce.  These decisions were made primarily to give the state a leg-up on other states in terms of making money from folks who would be willing to hop over state lines to tie (or cut) the knot.  Nevada was looking for a way to minimize job loss during the Great Depression and created the Vegas Wedding industry in the process.  Around 120,000 marriage ceremonies are now performed here each year -- an average of 10,000 each month. That's over 300 weddings a day.  While the wedding industry was often thought to be recession proof, we have learned the reality that is it is only recession resistant. Many Las Vegas and Reno wedding professionals now struggle to keep their doors open and some are out of business.  Nevada had a great chance to not only overcome the slowdown but to leap forward expanding opportunity for hundreds of local businesses.  Unfortunately, that was halted when the public voted to ban same-sex marriages here.

     It is reasonable to assume that tens of thousands of gay couples from around the world would have chosen Fabulous Las Vegas (as well as Mellow Tahoe) for weddings – from civil to lavish.  Local, county and state tax revenues would have soared – and lots of jobs would have been created in the private sector.  Sadly, it would now take a statewide public vote – twice – to overcome this poorly-thought-through ban. Still, it should be done.

 

2.    Reform Nevada's Tax System

          After days of playing budgetary chicken, the Special Session of the Nevada Legislature recently ended with a gimmick-ridden budget which solved nothing – only digs a deeper hole that will have to be dealt with in the future.  Cynical commentators described their actions as: “kicking the can down the road.”

          People across Nevada are fed-up and frustrated, anxious and angry, and so am I.  Today, as opportunities are disappearing before our eyes, much of government doesn’t even function as well as it has in the past.  Average taxpayers are feeling the squeeze of lesser services while the special interests are as comfy and arrogant as ever.

          Meanwhile, tepid, risk-averse political “leaders” of both parties ignore any suggestion that might possibly offend someone powerful; and scurry-about trying to patch-up this sinking ship by borrowing from our future – and our children’s future – just so it doesn’t sink on their watch.

          We can’t endure with these short-term, band-aid solutions.  I want to reform Nevada's tax system so that it facilitates economic growth by being simple, balanced, competitive and efficient.  Something is fundamentally wrong with a system where the poorest 20 percent of Nevadans pay 8.3% of their income in state and local taxes, while the richest 1 percent pays less than 2% of their income.  In other words, the tax burden on Nevada’s working poor is more than four times that of Nevada’s wealthiest residents.

          Now is the time for enlightened leadership to take decisive action to fine-tune expenditures, eliminate bureaucratic obstacles, find more efficient ways of delivering services, and significantly broaden the burden of tax payments to better reflect the current realities of our state.  Like you, I understand the problems and pressures facing the middle class today, and believe that with smart fiscal strategies, we can make Nevada a place people want to live, work and raise families.

          The sad fact is that we have now reached the end of the road -- and there is not even a can to kick.

  • Publishing an annual tax expenditure report

     It is time we shine light on the murky, shadowy and under-the-radar parts of the state budget known as “tax expenditures.”  These are losses to the state treasury resulting from politicians having granted certain deductions, exemptions, or credits to specific categories of taxpayers.  These exemptions work like welfare programs for special interests and make up a substantial part of the budget. 

     Nevada is one of only 8 states in the US that does not compile a “tax expenditure report” – something with details on where state tax breaks are going and how much they cost.  Such a report is a necessity as we seek to restore fairness, sustainability and transparency to the state tax system.

     This relevant information would help us all - policymakers and taxpayers –to evaluate the hundreds of credits, exemptions, deductions and exclusions that permeate the Nevada tax base, turning it into Swiss cheese rather than a sensible tax code.  The worst part is that, once exemptions are written into the tax code, they continue indefinitely — regardless of how costly, dated and unfair they may become over time.

     Every dollar the state forgoes in tax revenue is one less dollar it can spend on schools, law enforcement, or other priorities — and one more dollar it must raise through other taxes.

     It is time we have an annual, comprehensive, easy-to-understand “Tax Expenditure Report” and make it widely assessable on the state’s website.

  • Evaluate use of church property tax exemptions

     While every penny of funds that provide “enrichment” to the educational system is being squeezed out of the budget, there is one-half billion dollars in untaxed church property in Clark County, alone ($509,040,418 of Assessed Value exempted in FY 2009-2010)

     For every dollar which the government does not collect on these properties, it must make up for by collecting it from taxpayers.  This exemption has grown from a well-intentioned generosity by early lawmakers into a vast tax expenditure.  If this property were on the tax role, the schools and local units of government in Clark County would split an additional $18 million per year.  Any law that lowers a particular property owner’s tax liability has no different effect than a law that requires a direct payment to that property owner.

     The basic facts on which properties receive this exemption – and why – should be compiled, made public and evaluated.  Then, explicit policy decisions must be made as to how much exemption should be given; to whom; and for how long.

     Nevada currently falls far short of even compiling this type of statistics, doing less than virtually any other state to make objective data available about where tax breaks are actually going and how much they costs.  This information can help us all - policymakers and taxpayers – to achieve reasonable oversight of these large tax expenditures.

  • Prostitution flourishes in Nevada –some if it legal – much of it illegal – all of it untaxed. 

     Brothels provide a legal service in many parts of our state – yet they are not taxed.  In addition, an estimated one million dollars changes hands every day in Nevada in unregulated transactions for sexual services –none of this is taxed.

     Obviously, consumers are willing to pay for these services which are provided by other consenting adults.  Furthermore, the businesses themselves are willing to collect and pay taxes to the state and to their local communities.  The question is:  why aren’t our “leaders” in Carson City at least discussing the taxing option?

     A further step forward would be for the state to allow the legalization and taxation of prostitution to be an option for every county and city in Nevada.  It is far easier to ensure public safety of an activity that is legal.

     Taxing, regulating and providing equal access to prostitution would reduce crime, improve public health, increase tax revenue, and allow for individuals to make their own choices. 

  • Medical & recreational use of cannabis flourishes in Nevada – some of it legal - much of it illegal – all of it untaxed

      If marijuana were treated the way alcohol is (with strong restrictions on driving under the influence and the possession and use by minors) the state could reap a tax windfall, while bringing some sense to our state’s drug policy by allowing individuals to make their own choices. 

     Law enforcement; state and local jails; and the courts would be freed-up to focus on authentic matters of public safety.

     The ability to legally enjoy cannabis in a controlled environment would add immeasurably to the attractiveness of Las Vegas as a tourist destination, particularly with those of the “Baby Boomer” generation.  The resulting industry would create thousands of new jobs in agriculture, processing, transportation, distribution, marketing, advertising, training, certification, regulators, and more.

     Further, Nevada should formally recognize industrial hemp as a potentially valuable agricultural commodity and acknowledge that allowing and encouraging farmers to grow hemp will help the state’s economy; improve the US balance of trade by promoting domestic sources of hemp; and can make a positive contribution to the issues of global climate change and carbon sequestration.

Are these concepts pure theory or actually practical in today’s world?  For an answer, look at Amsterdam -the financial and business capital of the Netherlands. It has recently been rated as one of the best cities on the planet in which to locate an international business.  It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe with the number of visitors having grown steadily over the past decade as a result of three strong attractions: (1) De Wallen, a designated area for legalized prostitution and other sex-industry establishments; (2) hundreds of licensed, regulated shops offering various cannabis products; and (3) the continuing 400th anniversary celebration of the artwork of Rembrandt.  Thus, we can see that quality of life; a strong business climate; and tourism can all thrive together with a heavy dose of individual liberty.  On the other hand, making something illegal doesn’t make it go away – it just means criminals are going to run it.

  • State Lottery

     Many people all over the country play state lotteries -- including countless residents of Nevada who regularly make road-trips to lottery agents just across the state line in California or Arizona to purchase lottery tickets.

     In all 38 states that have lotteries, substantial contributions have been made to funding programs for the public good.  For example, last year, the Arizona Lottery returned more than $129 million to programs that help make Arizona a better place to live.  Since their lottery's inception in 1981, more than $2.3 billion has been given to programs that support projects such as wildlife preservation, parks, public health, education, and transportation.

     There is no evidence which shows that lottery ticket sales diminish the amount of time or money a purchaser spends in a casino.  Instead, surveys suggest that the more an individual spends on lottery tickets, the more likely he or she is to frequent other forms of legal gaming.  Self-absorbed, paranoid, narrow-minded special interests need to be put in their place and a Nevada lottery implemented.  Let Nevadans – and our visitors – vote with their dollars on whether or not they will support a lottery.

  • Mining, Big Box Retailers, Trucking Companies and Banks must pay their Fair Share

     Average working Nevadans are paying far more than their fair share to provide education, protect public health and safety and fund other public programs and services.       Meanwhile, some of the state’s biggest businesses benefit from those very same services, indeed, their existence and their profits depend on functioning education and transportation systems as well as a social safety net, health and environmental protections and other government-provided services that are the hallmarks of a civil society.  Yet, those businesses pay next to nothing.

 

3.    Fix Nevada's Broken Political System

          We must establish ethics, accountability and transparency in state and local elections. We need a new approach to politics and campaigns that is not special interest dependent, but solution oriented.  Elections should be won - not bought.

          We can't stand by and let our state be dominated by corporate interests that care more about their bottom line than the public interest. It's time to change the way Nevada politics works.  Only campaigns funded by small-donors can turn Carson City away from "rule by the monied" and towards "rule by the many.”

          The problem is not as much the total amount spent on political campaigns (columnist George Will likes to remind us that we spend more on potato chips each year) as it is who pays for them, what they get in return, and how that distorts Nevada’s public policy and spending priorities.  Clearly, the continual quest for large campaign contributions results in special interests being put before the people’s interests’.

          Our elected officials, of both parties, are dependent on the very same wealthy special interests they are supposed to regulate.  Understandably, this undermines public confidence in state government and its ability to tackle the tough issues that face Nevada.  We have a system that has been nurtured and protected by a handful of interests who for decades have benefited the most, often at the expense of the average taxpayer.  Simply put, special interest money pollutes public policymaking.  We need reforms that eliminate the near-secretive acceptance and spending of massive campaign donations

  • A 5-Point Fair Elections Nevada! Plan

     This was drafted based on the principle that easily accessible and transparent disclosure of political information lies at the heart of any democracy; and that full and open disclosure of campaign finance information is a critical safeguard for preserving that democracy.  Common Cause’s proposal, the Fair Elections Now Act, is the model for my proposal (click for details).  Nevada’s pay-to-play political game must come to an end.

  •  
    • Mandatory Electronic Filing
    • Late Contribution Reporting
    • Reveal Sub-vendor Information
    • Mandatory Occupation and Employer Information for Contributors
    • Electioneering Communications Disclosure (Issue Ads)
  • You can’t buy me for $100!

     Until such common-sense campaign finance legislation is enacted, what is a candidate to do?

     First, a campaign can voluntarily provide that same kind of disclosure that these laws would require.  If not - why not?

     Second, for now, each candidate will have to determine the type and size of donations he or she will accept.  What should that limit be?  Quite frankly, I’m not sure.   We could mirror the limit used in federal elections ($2,400) – or, set a sliding scale dependent on the size of the area the office serves.  My mind is open to how the statutory ceiling should be set.

     As for myself, if I were to be a candidate, I would take a rather conservative approach.  I would not accept more than one-hundred dollars from any individual or any group for an election.  I would do this because I really have no desire to go into office constrained – feeling my hands are tied.  You know, if someone gave me $50,000 – I’d be very appreciative – wouldn’t you?  It would be natural to be real nice to folks who gave you so much money.  I wouldn’t want that temptation.  To make running for office worth the effort and hassle to me personally, I would need to be free to follow my values and instincts without worrying if I am stepping on the toes of a company whose contributions got me elected.  Now - $100?  I could handle that.  You know you can’t buy me for $100 and that’s the most I will accept from you - or anyone else.

  • Redistricting/Reapportionment must be objective and make sense

     During the next two years, the redrawing of the lines of all the election districts in Nevada will take place.  For decades, we have had to live with incredibly gerrymandered maps drawn with one basic, overriding consideration:  preserving the status quo – keeping incumbents in office and making the overwhelming number of seats “safe” for one party or the other.  This removes the slightest possibility that an uprising of Nevada voters might actually have the power to affect or influence the results of major elections.  This process has resulted in many very oddly shaped districts that split neighborhoods and cities and diminish the voting power of many communities with shared interests.  Additionally, it leads to unnecessary confusion among voters.

     Unfortunately, most people are unaware of the vast effect which redistricting has upon the political process, so they leave it up to the politicians to do themselves.  That must change – districts must be drawn objectively using principles of compactness, contiguity, competitiveness, and preserving communities.

     I propose creating an independent, five-person commission to perform redistricting – with the Legislature then only having the option of a “yea” or “nay” vote on adopting a plan – no self-serving amendments allowed.  The four legislative leaders would each appoint a member and the Governor would appoint the fifth.  There would be a condition that districts be compact and, when possible, utilize existing city, county and geographical boundaries.  And, they must not be drawn to favor or disfavor incumbents or political parties.

 

4.  Certain Inalienable Rights

          “All men are by Nature free and equal and have certain inalienable rights among which are those of enjoying and defending life and liberty; Acquiring, Possessing and Protecting property and pursuing and obtaining safety and happiness.”  (Article 1; Section 1 Constitution of the State of Nevada)

  • Basic Rights

     “The supreme executive power of this State, shall be vested in a Chief Magistrate who shall be Governor of the State of Nevada.” (Article 5; Section 1)  As such, I believe the Governor ought to play a role in standing-up for free speech and the right to dissent, for securing religious liberty, protecting the right to equal treatment for all people, ensuring the right to fair play in encounters with government, as well as for the ability of all people to be secure from interference in private matters.

  • Birth by choice 

     I believe in, and will strongly defend, a women’s right to choose what happens to her body.  I believe that abortion should be safe, legal, and rare.  To decrease the number of abortions, schools should offer a more comprehensive sex-education curriculum.    Although, as parents and guardians, we must be the primary sexuality educators of our children, they continually receive messages about sexuality from numerous other sources. Many of them may have more negative than positive impact.  Schools and other community-based organizations can be important partners with parents to provide young people with accurate and developmentally appropriate sexuality education.

  • Death with Dignity 

     I believe it is vital that Nevada expands the opportunity for excellent end-of-life care and effective pain and symptom management.  Furthermore, we should uphold an individual’s right to seek aid in dying to avoid intolerable suffering. I propose a solution similar to the Oregon Death with Dignity Act, which has been in place for over 10 years; was upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court; and approved twice by voters.

     Research now documents that the most important impact of the Death with Dignity Act in Oregon has been to improve the care for all dying patients, by increasing awareness among doctors;  allowing an open and honest conversation between doctors and patients; improving pain management and palliative care; and providing patients with a sense of control and peace of mind.

     The Oregonian newspaper wrote that the law “helped elevate end-of-life care” and that “in a decade of experience with the law, no abuses have shown up.”  Independent studies of Oregon’s Death with Dignity law prove that the safeguards in place protect patients, prevent misuse and coercion, and allow mentally competent, terminally ill patients the option of a peaceful, dignified death.

     The state of Washington recently enacted a similar program.  It’s now time for a Nevada Death with Dignity Act with safeguards to ensure that terminally ill patients can make a voluntary and informed decision. These same safeguards have worked in Oregon for over 10 years. Patients must be terminally ill, must have less than 6 months to live, the patient must make two independently witnessed requests, and every step of the process must be approved by two doctors.

     I will continue to aggressively advocate for better pain management, patient-directed end-of-life care, and expanded choice for the terminally ill.

 

5. Those who commit crimes should be treated like criminals

          It is bad policy – and financially unfeasible -- to continue to place in prison individuals who are only guilty of “crimes against yourself” – situations where everyone involved was a consensual adult.  Instead, let’s imprison the people who really deserve it.  Morality’s a damn good thing, but only when it is rooted in respecting the rights of others. Laws that infringe on the right of people to live their lives as they please are deeply immoral. A “victimless crime” is any activity that does not physically harm a person or property of another, and to which the act was in fact consented. Our prisons are already overcrowded with dangerous felons and it is a farce that persons convicted of such victimless crimes are imprisoned by their side. In fact, because of mandates regulating the number of inmates a prison may accommodate, felons who have committed real and serious crimes are being set free from prisons before serving their full terms while many guilty of “victimless crimes” remain behind bars. 

  • Kill the death penalty

     The actual cost of having the death penalty on the books – whether or not it is used - is staggering.  In Texas, the state that does the highest volume (and, thus, should have the lowest cost) in putting prisoners to death, their cost per prisoner on “death row” is about three times the cost of imprisoning someone in a single cell at the highest security level for 40 years.  Local criminal litigators estimate that an end to the death penalty in Nevada could reduce litigation costs by $500,000 to $2 million per case when compared to life-in-prison.

 

6.    Reform Nevada's Educational System

          Job growth is the cornerstone of what Nevada needs.. A 25% high school dropout rate does not lend itself to healthy job growth. I am committed to working with schools to significantly increase the graduation rate.  This is a not a problem that can be solved by throwing more money at it.  Our economic program will provide jobs for those who graduate.  We need to set high standards for our students, hold them accountable for meeting those standards and let them know we believe they can be the highly trained workers our businesses need for the 21st century.

          I believe that schools, teachers and parents must renew their commitment to ensuring that each child is given the best possible preparation and education for life which is critical for future generations to be competitive and innovative.


 7.    Let Nevada be Nevada

  • Liberate Federal Land by Eminent Domain

     The most shocking thing about the Office of the Governor of Nevada is that a person elected to that office is, in reality, only the governor of 14.7% of Nevada.  The federal government claims more than 85% of the land in our state and we aren’t permitted to govern it.  In the past, our state, and some local units of government, have stood up for our right to the land which was unfairly taken from local control back when Nevada became a state – and have lost.  Still, we must not surrender our position.  In late February, a Utah legislative committee advanced toward passage a trio of bills in their fight against the federal government land-grab.  The legislation proposes to give the state eminent domain authority over certain federal lands; provide an alternative strategy in the battle; and fund an anticipated legal fight.  While many legal scholars say their measure would not withstand court scrutiny, I believe it is a fight worth fighting and believe we should support Utah’s efforts, as well as any other useful strategy, for gaining state authority over more of our land.

  • Bring "Risk Taking" Back To Nevada

     I look at Nevada as more than a governmental jurisdiction – more than land defined by longitude and latitude – even more than the sum of the 2+ million people who live here.

     Nevada is a particular attitude – a unique way of looking at the world.  It’s an approach to life that champions individualism – yet, is grounded in an environment so harsh that inter-dependence has always been essential.  It’s the deep belief that anything you can dream is possible -- combined with the knowledge that hard work is required to make all important things happen.

     Most of us who live here today are citizens of Nevada by choice – not by the chance of birth.  We’re here on purpose – few places on earth can say can say that about a majority of its citizens.

     There is conscious choice Nevada must soon make:  will our state limp into this new decade as a timid, 2nd rate, non-offensive, miserly, bland, Disney-wanna-be that is dependent on the ‘generosity’ of few corporate powers; or will we stand-up and honor the true character of Nevada: reinvent ourselves as a 21st century land of opportunity for all those willing to work – and we aren’t judgmental about the kind of work that might be – believing that adults must be free to make their own decisions without intimidation by big government, big business, big labor or big churches.

     We are familiar with what people around the world like to do in the pursuit of happiness – and we can make a lot of money by helping them do just that.  And, with some of that some of that money, we can build our own first-class environment; a high-quality, relevant, accessible educational system; and help our fellow-Nevadans who can’t take care of themselves.

     It pains me to hear observers conclude:  ‘we’re not going to be the state that sticks out its neck anymore.’  Without some risk-taking, I can’t see how Nevada moves out of the quagmire we are now in.

     Our state’s greatest political columnist, Mark Twain, once observed “Necessity is the mother of taking chances.”  Looking at the mess of Nevada’s finances, I think we can deem that it is now a necessity for our leaders make some bold moves.

     Are we going to have our heads in the sand – or stick our necks out? – That is the question.