ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 4

Although they know massive state spending cuts might be needed in 2009, neither of the major-party candidates for the Assembly District 4 seat has suggestions on where reductions should be made.

"I haven't thought about taking away more money since we already are in such dire straits," Democrat Craig Ballew said.

"I don't know where we will cut," Republican Richard McArthur said. "But we are going to a have a lean government machine by the time the economy recovers. You can't tax your way out of a slow economy."

Theirs is a race without an incumbent. McArthur easily knocked off two-term Assemblywoman Francis Allen, R-Las Vegas, in the primary. Allen was arrested last spring on charges she had cut her husband with a knife. The charges were dropped.

Besides McArthur and Ballew, Independent American Brad Lee Barnhill and Libertarian Wayne Rudolph are competing for the seat, one traditionally held by Republicans.

Barnhill, a former Ron Paul Republican, said he knows where the state can find money to balance its budget even in such bad economic times. Savings could be gained by sending the estimated 250,000 illegal immigrants in Nevada back to their native countries.

"We can save 10 percent to 15 percent if we end this illegal immigrant invasion," Barnhill said. "It can be done if we have the will to do it. Progressives want to help them. That's fine. Take money from your own pockets and help them, not from me."

Rudolph said he would look at every bill and if necessary cut all agencies but the courts and public safety.

"Courts and the police are important to Libertarians," he added

McArthur shares some of Barnhill's sentiments about illegal immigrants.

"You can arrest them and turn them over to immigration authorities," said McArthur, who contends that the Clark County School District would save $500 million if it did not have to teach illegal immigrants.

Although deporting a schoolchild might seem mean, he said, it would compel the child's parents to pack up and move back to their native land.

He believes that English should be made the official language in Nevada and that the state could save money by not printing ballots and other documents in languages other than English.

A surge in Democratic registration has reduced the Republican lead in District 4 to 1,100 voters, but McArthur does not think it will lead to a victory by Ballew in November.

"Some people are registering independent because they are mad at the Republican Party," he said. "It isn't because they are more liberal. I don't think it will hurt me at the local level."

Ballew has just retired after spending 36 years as a schoolteacher and sports coach in the Clark County schools.

His first goal would be to develop better programs for high school students who do not plan to go to college.

"We have to develop programs to keep them from dropping out," he added. "They aren't interested, and Nevada is one of the worst states for its dropout rate."

When he started as a teacher, Ballew said, there were more opportunities for students in the public schools.

"There was more parental control back then. Rarely now do you find a parent home. Both parents have to work. Some kids never see their parents during the week.

Ballew is dismayed by what he sees in Las Vegas today. When he arrived 57 years ago, Las Vegas was a "great" city, he said.

During a recent campaign walk, he said, six of the 11 homes he visited were in foreclosure.

Therefore, he said, Nevada cannot afford additional cuts to education, public safety and health care.

"We rank 47th or 48th in contributions to education," Ballew said. "I don't know that we can decrease that amount."

Contact reporter Ed Vogel at evogel@reviewjournal.com or 775-687-3901.