2012 Voter Guide: Nevada Assembly District 7

Two years ago, Dina Neal was sent to Carson City along with 17 other new Assembly members who had never served in either chamber of the Legislature.

Now the daughter of former state Sen. Joe Neal, D-Las Vegas, is hoping for a second term in the heavily Democrat district. Neal's father served as District 4's senator for 32 years.

Terms limits preclude Neal from serving for as long as her father. But to capture a second term, she will have to get by Republican challenger Brent Leavitt.

"I'll will be able to have a greater impact on public policy in my second term," Neal said. "I'm just getting started. I had a very interesting first session."

In her first term in the Assembly, she served on the Education, Transportation, Taxation, and Government Affairs committee. Neil said if re-elected, she will continue to focus on creating a viable jobs strategy that assists everyone from low-skill workers to those with advanced degrees.

Neil said people "who have advanced degrees are 22 percent of the population in Southern Nevada, but about 25 percent are unemployed."

She said it was also about investing in crucial sectors of the economy as outlined by Gov. Brian Sandoval's economic development plan released in February, including manufacturing, gaming technology and health care.

Neal said in her second term, she expects to work on legislation that would restructure how and when business taxes and fees are due, to make the process less onerous. She also plans to advocate a broad-based tax structure in Nevada.

"I was walking my district visiting small businesses; they are already being hurt by the high unemployment rate and foreclosures," Neal said.

She said business owners were "being unfairly hit" by changes in the way state and local business fees were being collected. She said they were dealing with a third hardship because everything is hitting at one time.

Neal, a graduate of Southern University Law Center, said it's time to consider letting business pay licensing fees and taxes over a longer period during the year.

Leavitt said if Neal wanted to broaden the tax base, especially in North Las Vegas, she could start by helping recruit new companies.

If elected, Leavitt said he will focus on "getting our budgets in order and being fiscally responsible."

"I was born and raised here," Leavitt said. "I've always wanted to become a leader in my state."

He also said it was about getting more money for education and back to local governments to pay for public services. Leavitt said it was time for cities to receive additional revenues so none of them shares the same fate as North Las Vegas and others who have suffered financial meltdowns.

He holds a bachelor's degree in economics from the University of Nevada, Reno.

Contact reporter Chris Sieroty at csieroty@reviewjournal.com or 702-477-3893.