Assembly District 26 includes western Washoe County, from Incline Village to southwest Reno and Hidden Valley. There are three candidates in this GOP primary race. Randy Kirner and Robb Archie did not respond to this interview.
1. Give a brief summation of your professional and political background.
• Lisa Krasner, Conservative Republican Candidate for Assembly District 26
• College Professor/-Associate Faculty-University of Phoenix, Northern Nevada Campus, Reno, NV. Teach courses in United States Constitution, Nevada Constitution; Political Science, Advocacy & Mediation; Business Law, Employment Law, Critical Thinking.
• Truckee Meadows Community College – (T.M.C.C, Reno, NV.) August 2013- present – Teach courses in United States Constitution, Nevada Constitution, Political Science Dept.
• Arbitrator- Better Business Bureau – Sept. 2012- Present
• League of Better Business Bureaus, Arlington, Virginia
• Commissioner, State of Nevada Commission on Aging and Disability – Jan. 2013-Present
• Commissioner, City of Reno Parks & Recreation Commission – May 2005 – May 2012
• Education –
o University of LaVerne College of Law – Juris Doctor Degree
o University of CA Los Angeles, (U.C.L.A.) – Bachelor’s Degree
• Affiliations –
o Washoe County Republican Central Committee – Member – January 2013-Present
o Alliance with Washoe County Medical Society (AWCMS) – Board of Directors-1st Vice President
o Alliance Washoe County Medical Society – Member – 2005 – Present
o Incline Village Republican Women – Member
o Mt. Rose Republican Women – Member
o Washoe Republican Women – Member
o P.T.A. Board of Directors – Hunsberger Elementary-Vice President – 2012 – Present
o State of NV PTA- Board Member At Large – July 2013-present
o Reno Philharmonic Guild – President – Dec. 2009 – Dec. 2011
o Reno Philharmonic Association Board of Trustees – Board Member – 2009-2011
o Junior Achievement Instructor – Hunsberger Elementary School – 2010-Present
2. Define your district – geographic boundaries, demographic makeup, and political balance.
Assembly District 26 extends from Incline Village across Mount Rose Hwy into Galena Forest, Montreux, Callahan Ranch, The Estates at Mt. Rose, Rolling Hills, Double Diamond, Damonte Ranch, Arrowcreek, Field Creek, Zolezzi area, Old Southwest Reno, S. Virginia Street near the Meadowood Mall, and Hidden Valley
3. If this is your first time running for office (or this position), why are you running for this position? If you are an incumbent, what have been your top accomplishments as a legislator?
Yes, this is my first time running for public office. I am running for the Assembly because I care about the people of Nevada. I want to represent the people of Nevada and the people in Assembly District 26, because the people do not feel like they are being represented now. I want to create a brighter future for the people of Nevada. We need to turn things around in our government and get back to the Constitution and what our Founding Fathers intended for the citizens of this great country. As your Assemblywoman, I will work hard for you.
4. What makes you more qualified to serve in this position than your opponent?
I am the most qualified candidate for the position because of my many years of studying the Constitution and the Law, as well as teaching courses on the United States Constitution and Nevada Constitution on the College/University level.
Because of my many years of studying the law and the Constitution, I understand what our Founding fathers intended for us. I do not need to learn on the job, I am already trained to understand the many Bills that will come before me as your Assemblywoman. I can read through the legal ease with no problem, because I was trained to read lengthy legal documents.
5. There is a well-publicized, on-going philosophical split among many in the Republican Party. Describe your political philosophy in relation to this ‘moderate’ conservative versus ‘tea party’ conservative divide.
I am a conservative Republican.
6. What do you see as the three most important issues related to your district?
• Smaller Government, not bigger Government; Less burdensome regulations and fees on our business owners. Businesses should be able to compete and thrive here in Nevada without excessive government intrusion. When businesses thrive, they create jobs for our neighbors.
• Taxes – The people do not want any more increases in their taxes. People want to keep more of their hard earned money. We cannot tax our way into prosperity.
• Education- More parental involvement in our schools, school choice, including Charter schools and vouchers for underperforming schools.
7. As a legislator, you are allowed to present a specific number of bills during the legislative session. Do you have any specific bills in mind?
Yes. I do:
• Campus Carry – I want to bring a bill to help my brave friend Amanda Collins with a campus carry bill, enforcing our 2nd Amendment rights.
• School vouchers for underperforming schools – Giving parents more choice in their children’s education.
• Repeal the Nevada Revised Statute that allows circumvention of the Nevada Constitution by Legislators avoiding the 2/3 majority vote protection to increase their taxes, by sending Legislation to increase taxes to a 5 member county commission. The Constitution is clear in that it designates the Legislature as the branch of government that shall tax and spend for the general welfare. I opposed AB 46 and testified against Ab46 on the record at the Washoe County Commission hearings.
8. What is your position in regards to the taxes imposed in 2009 that were to ‘sunset’ in 2011, but were re-approved by the 2011 and 2013 legislature?
I signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and I oppose any further extensions of the Sunset Taxes.
9. How would you address improving the performance of Nevada’s public schools?
• School vouchers for underperforming schools – Giving parents more choice in their children’s education.
• More parental involvement in our schools, school choice, including Charter schools and vouchers for underperforming schools.
• I oppose Common core.
10. To what degree should the State support Charter Schools and those students opting to attend a school outside their district? Do you support universal school vouchers, providing the money goes to the student/parent and not to any particular school?
Yes. I support school vouchers for underperforming schools.
11. The State Legislature has found innovative ways to circumvent the state law banning the passing down of unfunded mandates to local governing entities. What is your position in regards to using such actions to fund state needs?
I am opposed to this. I opposed AB 46 and testified against Ab46 on the record at the Washoe County Commission hearings. As your Assemblywoman I would bring a Bill to repeal the Nevada Revised Statute that allows circumvention of the Nevada Constitution by Legislators avoiding the 2/3 majority vote protection to increase people’s taxes, by sending Legislation to increase taxes to a 5 member county commission.
The Constitution is clear in that it designates the Legislature as the branch of government that shall tax and spend for the general welfare.
12. What is your position in regards to increasing Nevada’s minimum wage?
I oppose any increase in the minimum wage at this time. Jobs designated as entry level and minimum wage positions, were never intended to be life long careers for people, but rather a stepping stone to a future career.
13. Do you believe the gaming and mining industries pay ‘their fair share’ in contributing to the state’s economy? Explain.
I oppose any increases in taxes on the Mining industry and or Gaming industry at this time. These industries create jobs for our friends and neighbors that live in Nevada. If we want to address an issue with the Mining industry and or gaming industry, then Legislators should sit down at the table and discuss the issue with the Mining industry leaders/ gaming Industry leaders .
14. With annual approval by Congress required, the Federal government pays state and local governments for the public lands (exempt from local taxation) within their jurisdiction (P.I.L.T.). Approximately 87-percent of Nevada is owned by Federal entities. Define your position in regards to states taking control of (Federal government relinquishing ownership to) all or a portion of these lands.
Nevada needs to regain control of its land held by the Federal Government. I favor Nevada regaining control over all or at least a portion of these lands.
15. In 1979 Nevada passed a bill legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes. It was repealed eight years later (1987). What is your position in regards to Nevada once again legalizing the use of marijuana for medical purposes? Legalizing the sale of marijuana, period?
If medical marijuana is sold to patients as a medicine prescribed by a doctor, then medical marijuana should be administered by a pharmacy to patients just like other medications prescribed by a doctor, are administered by a pharmacy to patients.
16. It appears that millions of acres of Nevada lands are destined to have the sage grouse (among other species) listed as a protected species. What is your position in regards to this issue? Explain.
We need to find a compromise between caring for the people that live in Nevada and caring for our environment.
17. Define your position on fracking and other means of oil exploration in Nevada. Do you support coal fired plants?
The Mining industry creates jobs for Nevadans. If we want to address an issue with the Mining industry, then Legislators should sit down at the table and discuss the issue with the Mining industry leaders.
18. In efforts to bring new businesses to Nevada, the Catalyst Fund was established. This is funded by state tax dollars. The Governor’s Office of Economic Development receives and then votes on applications from businesses and, through local governmental entities, subsidizes those selected. What is your position in regards to the Catalyst Fund? Do you have other ideas to encourage new businesses to locate in Nevada?
The government should not pick winners and losers. The government should create a business friendly environment in our state where all businesses can compete on an equal playing field and thrive. I favor less burdensome regulations and fees on our businesses to encourage a favorable business environment in Nevada.
19. Do you support “campus carry” legislation allowing licensed CCW permit holders over the age of 21 to carry their weapons on Nevada college and university campuses? Would you extend the same right to secondary school campuses?
Yes I support campus carry on college and university campuses.
20. If there is any issue that you are concerned about that has not been addressed in this interview, this is your opportunity to address it:
Accountability – Holding our elected officials accountable. If we Nevadans are to preserve our rights and liberties and the prosperity of a free market economy, we must be vigilant in watching our politicians. We must arm ourselves with knowledge, continually strive for more transparency in government, and at all times hold our elected officials accountable.
These interviews are posted on Nevada News & Views (www.nevadanewsandviews.com) and/or NewsDesk by Nancy Dallas (www.ndbynd.com). Reposting of any interview by interested parties must include the disclaimer the interview was originally posted in the above publications. Only those Republican races with a Primary contest are being addressed. Questions or comments may be directed to Nancy Dallas at nancy@nancydallas.com or 775-847-0129.
