STATE SENATE DISTRICT 7

Lindsay Madsen, a new face in Republican politics, battles six-term Assemblyman David Parks in the Senate District 7 race to replace Dina Titus, who is running for Congress.

Madsen said she wants to ride the wave of "change" -- favored by many voters because of candidates such as Ron Paul, Barack Obama and Sarah Palin -- into office in the Legislature.

Madsen acknowledges she faces an uphill battle because her campaign is not focused on obtaining campaign contributions.

"David Parks is raising huge sums of money for a job that pays $8,000 a term," she said. "We feel that is unnecessary."

Parks said he offers his years of experience in the Legislature, and his knowledge gained in his former position as assistant director of the Regional Transportation Commission, to voters as his qualifications for the office.

"I have the qualifications as well as the experience, judgment and maturity to do the job," he said.

Madsen said she is opposed to any type of tax increase to help the state out of its budget problems.

"It's the worst possible thing for our economy," she said.

Madsen said she would seek to reduce mandates and lessen regulation where possible.

The Clark County School District is full of administrators who spend all of their time complying with mandates from the federal government and the state Department of Education, she said.

Madsen also supports school choice for parents.

"I support vouchers and charter schools," she said.

Parks said Democrats already are focusing on one potential solution to the budget crisis by examining tax exemptions that have been granted over the years to see whether any should be reduced or eliminated.

"Some of those exemptions may no longer have any justification," he said.

Despite the general opposition to any tax increases voiced by political leaders and the public, some revenue ideas might emerge for discussion at the 2009 session, Parks said.

One idea that has come up in discussions is a tax on the extraction of minerals, aimed mainly at Nevada's gold production, he said. Also, the gross receipts tax has generated some discussion, Parks said, but he is not planning to push for it.

"It's in the back of the minds of a lot of people," he said. "If you listen to talk radio, it's a topic that keeps coming up."

Gov. Jim Gibbons has said he will veto any tax increase, which would require a two-thirds vote by lawmakers, the same requirement to override a veto.

Parks said he has mixed feelings about the idea of establishing a state lottery, given the fact that it produces revenue from those who least can afford to pay.

Another budget issue the Legislature needs to address is the shortfall in funding for road work, now estimated at $5 billion over the next decade, he said.

Madsen criticized Parks on one issue, his support of a bill in 2007 that added more good-time credits to the sentences of many inmates, allowing them to serve out their time more quickly.

"Criminals should be punished for their crimes, or they won't learn," she said.

But Parks said the measure applied only to nonviolent inmates and was approved to reduce the cost of incarceration and the high cost of building new prisons.

"I think it was a good alternative," he said.

Contact reporter Sean Whaley at swhaley@review-journal.com or 775-687-3900.