Some gubernatorial candidates in Nevada from the Republican Party detailed plans on boosting the business diversity of the state and education at a recent forum. Keystone Corporation hosted the forum with candidates Joey Gilbert, Dean Heller, Joe Lombardo, John Lee, and Guy Nohra. They were asked about business issues as well as in what way they would improve transportation, fix education and designate board members.
The conservative group Keystone Corporation specializes in policies in the state that are based on enterprises. The gubernatorial primary has dozens of GOP candidates, but Keystone Corporation invited the five best hopefuls that it delivered to its team according to a survey.
About the economy, gubernatorial candidate Nohra detailed the experience he has in running businesses. Nohra is among the founders of a venture capital company that is into life sciences. The company has already invested in up to 180 medical technology and biotech companies. Nohra wanted to see the state exploit its AI capabilities and be a new e-sports hub to lure more business. Nohra also wishes to offer R&D credits to mining companies. There are good businesses in Nevada that farewell, and Nohra stated that his company is going to aid them in thriving further.
Lombardo compared operating the Metro Police Department to becoming the chief executive officer of a big company. He discussed the significance of having educated workers and said that he would like to consider occupational licensing reform and increasing the availability of affordable housing in Nevada.
Lombardo and other gubernatorial candidates participated in an event for the first time together. Lombardo had earlier refused to take part in gubernatorial candidate forums up to the filing deadline in March.
Lombardo highlighted the need to make the state’s economy more diverse. If it does not diversify itself, Lombardo said that Nevada would fail as an American state in the future.
Heller discussed how Nevada’s governor should communicate with businesses about coming to the state. If he becomes Nevada’s governor, Heller said that he would make its permitting process more effective to lure more businesses to the state.
On the other hand, Gilbert stated that the way of economic diversification begins with fixing Nevada’s schools. Gilbert added that he is in the gubernatorial race for Nevada’s children. As for Gilbert, fully financed non-public school vouchers going directly to all parents without any strings attached is the long-lasting solution.
When answering questions in the recent forum, Lee focused his work as the Mayor of Las Vegas on economic diversification and bringing further construction to his city. About education, for example, Lee discussed the number of charter schools and private schools in North Las Vegas. Lee also cited the work he had done in the Nevada State Legislature as well as how he had gained experience in Nevada’s Carson City.
None of the gubernatorial hopefuls promised new taxes, while almost all of them stated that they would look to repeal Nevada’s commerce tax. Heller attributed the frustration of voters in Las Vegas and the reluctance of businesses to move to the state to the said tax. So, Heller reckons that the tax should go away.
Promising that there would not be a tax platform from him, Lombardo stated that he wishes to audit Nevada’s tax system to see whether a much better way to do business is available here. However, instead of repealing the aforesaid tax, Lombardo wishes to consider reforming it with thresholds.
Nevada introduced a namesake commerce tax seven years ago. It impacts businesses in the state with gross revenues of over $4 million in a taxable year. A business enterprise pays taxes at a specific rate according to the form of industry it belongs to.
In 2019, Governor Steve Sisolak signed SB 497, which makes it a non-requirement for business enterprises with less than $4 million as revenues to file commerce tax returns.
In the recent forum, Heller got the chance to criticize Lombardo, the leading candidate in the present polls. Heller stated that any person who discusses tax reform is contemplating tax increases. For your information, Heller came in the joint-second place in the most recent poll with Lee.
At the same time, Lombardo criticized Governor Sisolak. Lombardo said that he would not have Sisolak telling him what action to take, perhaps referring to the governor’s choice to repeal Nevada’s mask mandate.
As Republican candidates, they all discussed getting rid of regulations in place. For instance, Lombardo stated that the number of regulations would be less after his first gubernatorial term as compared to his starting period. Lombardo added that, first, he would get rid of all the coronavirus regulations.
If he becomes governor, Gilbert promises to restrict the power of the person in the position so that they could not introduce a 24-month-long emergency declaration. Gilbert stated that what happened from 2020 to now could not repeat as well as that he would restore the power to the masses.
Elections might not have been in the questions of the forum moderator, but some hopefuls touched upon election reform too. For instance, Heller stated that, as a governor, he would necessitate voters to show ID as they cast their votes and be Nevadans. Heller rhetorically stated that it is OK to do so if a governor could mandate vaccination for children.
About education, GOP hopefuls broached solutions such as school vouchers and school choice, plus the act of reimplementing the so-called Read by Grade 3 (RBG3) program. Nevada established the program for schools in 2015 as well as amended it three years ago with a raise in funding.
Nohra stated that schools in Nevada are not good enough even though parents would save those institutions. Nohra also recommended splitting up the Clark County School District.
As for Lombardo, education is more important than any other issue related to a state’s success. The Republican gubernatorial candidate also suggested that education plays a part in the standard of health, comfort, and happiness of people.