ASSEMBLY DISTRICT 9
Voters in Assembly District 9 will choose between an incumbent Democrat, a self-described traditional, conservative Republican, and a third-party candidate.
Tick Segerblom, 60, the Democrat, is vying for his second term in the Legislature. He is a fourth-generation legislator.
Jefferson Lee, 44, the Republican, has run for several political offices but has yet to win.
John Russo, representing the Independent American Party, did not return messages seeking comment.
Segerblom, an attorney, put it bluntly when asked what his priority will be if re-elected.
He will push to raise taxes to deal with a revenue shortfall that has Gov. Jim Gibbons calling for massive spending cuts across the state.
"I would support a corporate income tax. I would support some kind of gross receipts tax," Segerblom said. Or maybe an increase in the hotel room tax.
"We're cutting to the bone," he said.
Lee, a security officer at the New York-New York, said he might consider a tax increase but instead would favor starting a state lottery.
He said his plan calls for five different scratch-off cards. Revenue from each type of card would go to specific state agencies, such as the higher education system.
Both candidates listed several other priorities.
Segerblom wants annual legislative sessions instead of every two years. He thinks they would help solve the state's recurring budget problems because it would be clearer what revenues will be one year out, instead of two.
"You just cannot forecast that for two years," he said.
He also wants to toughen employment discrimination laws. And he wants to increase property taxes on golf courses.
Lee listed his main priority if elected as focusing on unemployment.
He contends that "too many people are getting a free ride" by milking the system.
He wants to repeal right-to-work laws, which he characterized as unfriendly to employees.
He said he also wants to forbid employers from performing credit checks on prospective employees.
Contact reporter Richard Lake at rlake@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0307.
ASSEMBLY DUTIES The duties of Assembly members include passing state laws, approving the state budget and reviewing the performance of state agencies. They serve two-year terms. Candidates who prevail in this year's election will be paid $8,760 for the first 60 days of the 120-day regular legislative session. They also will receive $155 a day for living expenses and reimbursement for certain other expenses. REVIEW-JOURNALNOT PICTUREDJohn RussoParty: Independent AmericanAge: N/AOccupation: N/A
