Assembly District 31 includes parts of Reno and Sparks. There are two Republican candidates in this GOP primary race – Jill Dickman and Ron Schmitt.
1. Give a brief summation of your professional and political background.
I am a business consultant. I have lived in Sparks for 23 years. I have served on the City of Sparks City Council for 13 years.
2. Define your district – geographic boundaries, demographic makeup, and political balance.
District 31 covers most of Sparks and north of Sun Valley. The political balance is almost even. The Republicans hold a 1400 voter advantage at this point.
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?
I have been elected to the City of Sparks City Council from 2001 to present. This is my first time running for a state office. I am running for State Assembly District 31 because I feel the present incumbent will only serve those that are in unions. He has made this very clear for the last several years and the citizens deserve better.
4. What makes you more qualified to serve in this position than your opponent?
I have been a businessman for over 40 year. Owning several companies on the west coast. I have served for over 13 years with balanced budgets for the City of Sparks. When times were tough we did not raise taxes to balance the budget. My opponent only represents one segment of our work force.
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 fiscal conservative. I will let my record on the Sparks City Council speak for me. Balanced budgets for 13 years.
6. What do you see as the three most important issues related to your district?
• The first is jobs. My opponent only wants union jobs. These are mostly jobs that the taxpayer is paying for and he gets a cut of every persons salary. We need to do much better than this.
• Tax Policy. We need to encourage tax policies that will bring business to the state and not make business leave.
• Education reform. We need better accountability from our state leaders on education.
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?
Not elected yet. My daddy taught me not to count my chickens before they hatch.
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 was not of the taxes when they were created. The issues that have surrounded these taxes have been very complicated. Legislators need to either impose them for good or let them sunset as designed.
9. How would you address improving the performance of Nevada’s public schools.
Look at other models that are out there that may be a way for Nevada to improve their system. The answer is not in just more funding. That is how we got in this problem in first place.
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?
The State should support Charter Schools to the fullest. Yes, I support school vouchers.
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.
For 13 years I have talked to the citizens of the State of Nevada about this important issue. The State needs to decide what service it is responsible for and take care of it. The amount of money that it is costing local communities is staggering. We need to stop this practice.
12. What is your position in regards to increasing Nevada’s minimum wage?
Let the free market place work.
13. Do you believe the gaming and mining industries pay ‘their fair share’ in contributing to the state’s economy? Explain.
They are two different categories. Mining taxes are in the constitution and this needs to be changed by the people to be replaced. Gaming taxes are a market drive force. We need to make sure we are not driving our tourist market away from Nevada.
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.
I would prefer the State owning all the land in Nevada. The problem comes from who is going to pay for everything. We need federal dollars for those services.
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?
This is a subject that is getting a lot of attention with a lot of untruths spreading. I am opposed to the sale of marijuana to the public. If it is for medical purposes, let the pharmacy sell it.
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.
Not fully informed on this issue yet.
17. Define your position on fracking and other means of oil exploration in Nevada. Do you support coal fired plants?
Have not researched the issue of fracking yet. I am in favor of modern coal fired plants in Nevada.
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 problem does not lie in the State of Nevada. It is with all the other states that allow high amount of tax payer moneys to be spent on bringing companies to there state. We spend a drop in the bucket to other states. I think the fund is a good idea if it is managed properly. There lies the problem. The State picks the winners and losers. I think the leadership needs to be more aggressive as governor of Texas in recruitment.
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. It is our reasonability as adults to protect our children. Allowing teachers and administration to be able to carry will make our schools safer.
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:
This district is a very important district to the State. Please get out and vote and let your voices be heard.
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.
