Thursday, October 24, 2002
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

STATE SENATE DISTRICT 9

Republican Assemblyman Dennis Nolan said if he is elected to the Senate in District 9, he will work cooperatively to solve the many critical issues facing the state, from budget problems and tax issues to public education funding.

"I don't think voters want to see a North-South fight," he said. "I think they want us to come together to resolve problems."

But Democratic candidate Terry Lamuraglia said the real issue in the race is who will hold power in the Senate: Northern and rural interests or Southern Nevada lawmakers who see jammed streets, air pollution and crowded public schools on a daily basis.

"A vote for Dennis Nolan is a vote for (Senate Majority Leader Bill) Raggio, Reno and rural Nevada," said Lamuraglia, a former lobbyist at the Legislature for Clark County.

Nolan, a member of the Assembly since 1995, was not initially supported by Raggio. Nolan said he is his own man who will do what is best for the constituents in the district.

Nolan has an associate's degree in paramedical science from the Community College of Southern Nevada and has completed some health care administration courses at UNLV.

He won a squeaker of a Republican primary, defeating gaming industry advocate Richard Bunker, who had Raggio's support, with 51 percent of the vote to Bunker's 49 percent.

"I don't think there is any other person in the (Republican) caucus who has told Bill Raggio that I think it is time he stepped down. I have," Nolan said. "If Bill Raggio is elected by the caucus as Senate majority leader I will support him. But he doesn't own me or my voice."

Because Republicans control the Senate 12-9, led by Northern and rural Nevada interests, Lamuraglia said, Las Vegas has been shortchanged and will continue to be.

The Senate Finance Committee is run by Raggio, R-Reno, the Taxation Committee is run by rural Nevada lawmaker Mike McGinness, R-Fallon, and the Natural Resources Committee is run by rural Nevada lawmaker Dean Rhoads, R-Tuscarora, he said. None of these lawmakers lives in Southern Nevada, where budget, tax and natural resource issues are most critical, Lamuraglia said.

"That is what this race is about: Who will make decisions for Southern Nevada," said Lamuraglia, who has a bachelor's degree in political science from UNLV.

Democrats would need to gain two seats to take control of the Senate.

The third candidate in the race, Independent American John Lusk, said he offers an alternative to major party candidates who have collectively worked to erode the constitutional rights of residents.

"No one talks about reducing the size of government," said Lusk, who has an associate's degree in electronics engineering technology from BYU-Idaho. "They're always looking at what new programs we should add on."

The Senate 9 seat is open because of the retirement of Sen. Bill O'Donnell, R-Las Vegas.

Nolan said he would vote for new taxes if the case is made that they are needed to fund programs and for priorities such as higher starting salaries for public school teachers. If he supports a tax increase, it will be from a stable source so the state does not continue to jump from prosperity to budget cuts, Nolan said.

Lamuraglia favors higher pay for starting teachers, but he said he will not support any new taxes unless there are assurances that all the dollars raised in Southern Nevada are spent in Southern Nevada.

"Until we finally have a resolution to fair share, and Clark County gets all the revenue it raises to pave its roads and fund its programs, I won't support an increase," he said. "The days of one for you, one for me, are over."