Nevada Legislature
In 2010, the State of Nevada had a $1 billion shortfall that required a special legislative session. The state will face a significantly larger shortfall, maybe in excess of $3 billion, in 2011. The Nevada Public Employees Retirement System reported a $9.1 billion long-term unfunded liability in 2009, however, a February 2010 report indicates that the actual shortfall maybe $33 billion or 5 times the size of our total 2 year budget.
The Nevada legislature has the responsibility to establish the number of legislators in the state; this is currently set as 63 total members: 21 in the Senate and 42 in the Assembly. The 2011 Legislature will readjust the boundaries of legislative districts based on the results of the 2010 U.S. Census. Whatever party is elected in 2010 will have control over the redistricting process for future elections in Nevada. Currently, Democrats control both the Senate and the Assembly.
Do you think the current Democrat leadership in the legislature will propose SPENDING REFORM to solve our problems? Will they work to solve the PERS problem? Will they use redistricting to perpetuate the problems? Senator Steven Horsford has proclaimed that “revenue reform is at the top of the agenda for 2011”. This Democrat leadership plans to continue to increase fees and taxes to businesses and individuals in the next session to raise enough money to cover these legislative excesses. Using an objective measure, the Nevada Policy Research Institute (NPRI) scored each lawmaker’s voting record on legislation with a fiscal impact for the 2009 legislative session. A score of 100% indicates a fiscally conservative legislator and a score of 0% the opposite. The 63 members of the 2009 Legislature had an overall score of 31%. We must elect fiscal conservatives or the runaway spending will not stop! Following is the scorecard for the members of the 2009 Legislative Session running for re-election in 2010.
WE CAN CHANGE THE DIALOGUE in Nevada if we GET THE WORD OUT to elect fiscal conservatives to the state legislature. If we can elect a CONSERVATIVE SLATE of candidates, they can work together at the legislature to make the required changes. We need to get the information from our website out to our friends and neighbors about the candidates who will make these changes in the 2011 legislative session.
NPRI 2009 Nevada Legislature Score Cards
Nevada Senate Nevada Assembly
Endorsed Candidates
We have researched and interviewed all of the candidates we have chosen to endorse in these races. Our focus has been on: whether or not they believe we have a SPENDING problem versus a REVENUE problem, whether they are prepared to vote NO on a budget that does not fix this problem, whether they believe that the Public Employee Retirement System (PERS) needs to be reformed and, lastly, whether they will work with our Grassroots Nevada endorsed candidates to FIX these problems. We analyzed any past voting records; reviewed whether they signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and, if not, why; we identified whether or not they had any conflicts of interest with the PERS program; we listened to why they were running for office, their campaign message and goals; we looked at their campaign and whether or not they were working hard and getting adequate financing and support to win the election in November and, lastly, whether they were interested in getting the grassroots movement to support their candidacy. Unfortunately, in some cases, we were faced with two qualified and like-minded candidates in the same race. We selected the candidate we felt would best serve the interests of the conservative movement in the Nevada legislature. We are still interviewing candidates and will post our decisions as these interviews are completed. Below you will find a write-up on each candidate that Grassroots Nevada has endorsed along with a link to the candidate’s website for more information. In addition, we are in the process of posting video of the candidates going on the record with Grassroots Nevada on the key issues facing Nevada. We will post these videos as they are completed. Get the current ENDORSEMENT LIST and NPRI Legislative Score Card. All of these candidates need your help to spread the word to your neighbors in your district, to volunteer to walk or make calls, or your financial support through donations to get elected. Click on our Volunteer button if you can help or go directly to the candidate’s website link.
State Senate
The 2009 Legislative Session and 2010 Special Session had 12 Democrat and 9 Republican Senators. For the 2010 election, 11 seats are up for election with 1 Democrat and 2 Republican incumbents and 8 open seats. Remaining in office until 2012 are 7 Democrats and 3 Republicans. Following are the candidates that Grassroots Nevada has endorsed for the 2010 election. We have not made a decision on all races yet.
Barbara Cegavske
Barbara has served in the state legislature since 1996. She served 3 terms in the Assembly and then was elected to the Senate in 2002 and has served 2 terms. She is running for reelection in State Senate District 8. If you examine Barbara’s Legislative report card from NPRI you will find that she is one of only 4 state senators with a conservative record in the 2009 legislative session. The other 17 are not conservative. We need to keep Barbara in the Senate and elect a few more conservatives to help her move the agenda to more fiscal conservatism. During 2003, Barbara voted against the Gross Receipts Tax. In 2009, she voted against tax increases that were vetoed by the Governor but overridden in both the Assembly and the Senate. Barbara opposed the sales tax hike that the Democratic majority pushed through during the 2009 Legislative session. Again, in the special session of 2010, Barbara voted against the tax and fee increases. Barbara will work for SPENDING reform not increasing taxes and fees to businesses and individuals. For this reason, we endorse Barbara CEGAVSKE for Senate District 8. For more information on Barbara, you may go to her website: Barbara Cegavske.Don Gustavson
Don is running against Bob Larkin for State Senate District Washoe 2. Don was first elected as the representative for Assembly district 32 in 1996. If you examine Don’s Legislative report card for NPRI you will find that he has the 2nd best voting record in the 2009 legislative session. Don together with seven other colleagues running for re-election make up the only true conservatives in Nevada state legislature. Don is well known as a proven fighter for lower taxes and smaller government. Throughout his terms, Don has worked to hold the line on tax increases. During 2003, Don helped lead the fight to defeat the Gross Receipts Tax. In the 2009 session, Don fought hard against the next largest tax increase in Nevada’s history which was vetoed by the Governor but overridden in both the Assembly and the Senate. Again, in the special session of 2010, Don voted against the tax and fee increases. Don will work for SPENDING reform not increasing taxes and fees to businesses and individuals. For this reason, we endorse Don GUSTAVSON for Senate District Washoe 2. For more information on Don, you may go to his website: Don Gustavson.Elizabeth Halseth
Elizabeth is running against Dennis Nolan, the incumbent, for State Senate District 9. The incumbent has served as a representative in the state legislature since 1995. The incumbent has the 4th worst voting record of all Republicans in the legislature according to the NPRI Legislative Report Card. On spending and taxation legislation in the 2009 session, the incumbent voted 94% of the time with Democrat majority leader Steven Horsford. The incumbent voted to pass legislation that included the room tax hike, new worker regulations, $800 million tax increase, higher fuel taxes, new rental car taxes and taking property tax revenue from Clark County and giving it to the state (IP1, AB214, SB 429, SB201, SB 234 and AB543). In the special session of 2010, the incumbent voted 100% of the time with the Democrat majority leader resulting in new taxes and fees. Halseth, unlike the incumbent, will work for SPENDING reform not increasing taxes and fees to businesses and individuals. As a successful business person and mother of three children, Halseth knows how to spend within her means. Halseth has signed the Taxpayer’s Protection Pledge something the incumbent would never do. She will work for SPENDING reform not increasing taxes and fees to businesses and individuals. For this reason, we endorse Elizabeth Halseth for Senate district 9. News broke on May 27th that the incumbent in this race had made a disturbing offer to a rape victim's sister to help his campaign. For more information on Halseth, and to hear the audio of Senator Nolan, you may go to her website: Elizabeth Halseth. Click Here to Watch our Video Interview with Halseth.Michael Roberson
Mike is running against Joyce Woodhouse, a one term State Senator in district Clark 5B. The incumbent was elected in 2006. Her experience prior to being a state legislator was as teacher, principal, Clark County School District Director for 21 years and education lobbyist. The incumbent has stated that her number 1 priority is education. She also wants to create green jobs and to get rid of corruption in government. It is clear that her agenda will not include spending reform. If you examine the incumbent's Legislative report card from NPRI you will find that Senator Horsford is more conservative than her. Roberson, her republican opponent, grew up in a small mining town with a population of 3,300 where he learned about working hard. In 2000, Roberson moved to Nevada. He is a practicing attorney representing businesses from small start-ups to large companies. He believes that the state should implement zero-based budgeting, eliminate non-essential government programs and streamline the bureaucracy in education. Roberson will work for SPENDING reform not increasing taxes and fees to businesses and individuals. For this reason, we endorse Mike ROBERSON for Senate District 5B. For more information on Mike, you may go to his website: Michael Roberson. Click Here to Watch our Video Interview with Roberson.James Settelmeyer
James Settelmeyer has served 2 terms in State Assembly District 39. Settelmeyer is running for election in State Senate Capitol district, the seat vacated by term limited Mark Amodei. Settelmeyer knows that in the 2011 session of the legislature the state will face continuing and overwhelming fiscal problems. He believes that, as citizens of this state, we need to face these issues like all other issues, today and not tomorrow. Settelmeyer believes that we cannot afford to kick the can down the road and that the time to act is now. Settelmeyer is a fourth generation rancher. His great-grandfather migrated to Gardnerville, NV in 1880 with his brother from West Germany. After working on the Allerman ranch in Gardnerville for ten years, his grandfather was able to raise the money to purchase the land. Since 1880, the Settelmeyer family has been prominent in agriculture, politics and the community. If you examine Settelmeyer's Legislative report card from NPRI you will find that he is one of only 7 state assembly representatives with a conservative record; the other 35 are not conservative. We need to elect Settelmeyer to Senate Capitol district to help move the agenda to more fiscal conservatism. In 2009, Settelmeyer voted against tax increases that were vetoed by the Governor but overridden in both the Assembly and the Senate. Again, in the special session of 2010, he voted against the tax and fee increases. Settelmeyer will work for SPENDING reform not increasing taxes and fees to businesses and individuals. For this reason, we endorse Jim SETTELMEYER for Senate Capitol district. For more information on Jim, you may go to his website: James Settelmeyer.
State Assembly
The 2009 Legislative Session and 2010 Special Session had 28 Democrat and 14 Republican Assemblymen. For the 2010 election, all 42 seats are up for election with 17 Democrat and 7 Republican incumbents and 18 open seats. Following are the candidates that Grassroots Nevada endorses for the 2010 election. We have not made a decision on all races yet.
Ken Walther
Ken is running for the open seat in Assembly District 18 previously held by term limited Mark Manendo (D). The registration in this district is 1.8 to 1 Democrats to Republicans. However, all of the other parties together account for 21% of the district. Ken can win in the general election against whoever wins the Democrat primary. All of the Democrat candidates are out-of-touch with the sentiment of Nevadans on healthcare, the tea party movement and collective bargaining. Walther will work for SPENDING reform not increasing taxes and fees to businesses and individuals. He will vote NO on a budget that does not reform spending and he will work to reform the Public Employee Retirement System. As a successful business person and CIA officer, Walther has what it takes to get things done in the state and can get the support to WIN in the general election. For this reason, we endorse Ken WALTHER for Assembly District 18. For more information on Walther you may go to his website: Ken Walther. Click Here to Watch our Video Interview with Walther.Tyler Andrews
Tyler is running against Joe Hogan, the incumbent, in State Assembly district 10. The incumbent has served in this seat since 2004. He has the same voting record of tax and spend as the former Assembly majority leader, Barbara Buckley, see his NPRI Legislative Report Card. The registration in this district is 1.35 to 1 Democrats to Republicans. However, all of the other parties together account for 22% of the district. Andrews can win against the incumbent, who is out-of-touch with the sentiment of Nevadans on SPENDING, TAXES and collective bargaining. Andrews will vote NO on a budget that does not reform spending and he will work to reform the Public Employee Retirement System. Andrews has decided to run because he knows that the current system needs reform. He will fight to restore a brighter future for Nevada based on limited government, individual liberty and free markets. We need Andrews to FIX record deficits, higher taxes and burdensome regulations on small businesses. Andrews will get the support to WIN in the general election. For these reasons, we endorse Tyler ANDREWS for Assembly District 10. For more information on Andrews, you may go to his website: Tyler Andrews. Click Here to Watch our Video Interview with Andrews.Cresent Hardy
Cresent is running for the open seat in State Assembly district 20 previously held by Joe Hardy (R), who resigned to run for Senate district 12. Cresent Hardy is running in the primary against Richard Stubbs, a psychologist for the Clark County School District. Hardy is a local businessman with experience as the Mesquite Public Works Director, the Virgin Valley Water District and the Mesquite City Council. He is a fourth generation resident of Mesquite. Hardy is a firm believer in personal responsibility and opportunity. He knows that the job creators in Nevada are the small businesses. He will work hard to restart Nevada’s business engine. For these reasons, we endorse Cresent HARDY for Assembly district 20. For more information on Hardy, you may go to his website: Cresent Hardy.Randi Thompson
Randi is running for the open seat in State Assembly district 31 previously held by term limited Bernie Anderson (D). Thompson is running in the primary against Gary Duarte. The registration in this district is 1.5 to 1 Democrats to Republicans. However, all of the other parties together account for 22% of the district. Thompson has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge to oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes. Thompson is a 6th generation Nevadan that has been active in politics. Thompson can get the support needed to win in the general election against whoever wins the Democrat primary. Thompson will work for SPENDING reform not increasing taxes and fees to businesses and individuals. She will vote NO on a budget that does not reform spending and she will work to reform the Public Employee Retirement System. As a successful business person, Thompson has what it takes to get things done in the state. For these reasons, we endorse Randi THOMPSON for Assembly district 31. For more information on Thompson, you may go to her website: Randi Thompson.Ed Goedhart
Ed was elected to Assembly District 36 in 2006. He has been a strong supporter of fiscal conservatism. Ed says he be a political fire-starter in the upcoming session of the Nevada Legislature. He will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes including the legislative initiative being sponsored by the teachers union to raise the room tax on our state’s tourists. He is for reduced government, lower taxes and fees and spending reform. He will urge his colleagues to follow these policies. If you examine Ed’s Legislative report card from NPRI you will find that he is THE MOST conservative representative in the assembly. For this reason, we endorse Ed GOEDHART for Assembly District 36. For more information on Ed, you may go to his website: Ed Goedhart.John Hambrick
John has served 1 term in the Assembly District 2. John retired to Nevada after a distinguished career in federal law enforcement that spanned nearly three decades. John worked for the United States Secret Service, the Immigration and Naturalization Service and the Federal Inspector General’s office. If you examine John’s Legislative report card from NPRI you will find that he is the 4th most conservative representative in the assembly. We need to re-elect John to the Assembly to help move the agenda to more fiscal conservatism. In 2009, John voted against raising payroll taxes on small businesses and stood against increasing fees. For this reason, we endorse John HAMBRICK for Assembly District 2. For more information on John, you may go to his website: John Hambrick.Dan Hill
Dan is running against April Mastroluca in Assembly district 29. Ms. Mastroluca was elected in 2008. In the 2009 and 2010 sessions, Ms. Mastroluca’s voting record on taxes and spending has earned her position as 5th from the bottom on NPRI’s report card. It is clear that her agenda will not include spending reform. You can examine Ms. Mastroluca’s Legislative report card from NPRI you will find that Senator Horsford is more conservative than Ms. Mastroluca. Dan Hill, her republican opponent, believes that Nevada does not have a tax revenue shortage but that instead a spending problem. He believes that significant cuts that can and should be made to balance the budget before government considers any new taxes. Dan believes that we can solve the short-term deficit problem without significant cuts to education. Dan wants to keep business taxes low and keep Nevada as a business-friendly state to attract new industries and bring new jobs. Dan will work for SPENDING reform not increasing taxes and fees to businesses and individuals. For this reason, we endorse Dan for Assembly District 29. For more information on Dan you may go to his website: Dan Hill. Click Here to Watch our Video Interview with Hill.Richard McArthur
Richard has served 1 term and is running for re-election in Assembly District 4. Richard is a U.S. Air Force veteran who served in Vietnam. He was a Special Agent with the FBI for 25 years and retired after serving his last 16 years in the Las Vegas field office. Richard supports limited government, lower taxes, English as our official language, no amnesty for illegal aliens, the right to keep and bear arms and the Nevada Right to Work law. If you examine Richard’s Legislative report card from NPRI you will find that he is the 8th most conservative representative in the Assembly. Richard will work for SPENDING reform not increasing taxes and fees to businesses and individuals. For this reason, we endorse Richard McARTHUR for Assembly District 4. For more information on Richard you may go to his website: Richard McArthur.
