NV-LtGov: The BIG Stonewall Debate!

So after I helped Joyce Woodhouse take Henderson & Southeast Vegas on Saturday, it was time for me to head to Fabulous Downtown Las Vegas for Stonewall's big event of primary season! Yes, my dears, three of the four Democrats running for Lieutenant Governor (Jessica Sferrazza had a scheduling conflict) stopped by to discuss the issues with us one more time before the final day of primary voting tomorrow.

But instead of boring you with repeats of everything that's already been discussed here, we'll go through the issues here and point out some things that haven't been talked about yet.



- All three candidates expressed their full support for the LGBTQ community (including transgender inclusive anti-discrimination legislation), but the three differed on how best to recruit good companies who will be good for the community. Paul Murad said he has already been making connections to our community, and he can recruit more LGBTQ-friendly companies and major LGBTQ conventions, events, and parties to come to Nevada. Robert Randazzo said he will work with all the companies he recruits here to treat all their workers equally and be responsive to Nevada's LGBTQ community. Bob Goodman, meanwhile, pledged to listen to the community and bring jobs back for everyone in Nevada.

- A couple questions were asked about Arizona and SB 1070, and the candidates seemed to agree at first in all opposing the law... But then, they diverged. Paul Murad said he's already been working on recruiting a Latino film festival to come here (obviously, they no longer feel welcome in Arizona), and described how his lessons as an immigrant himself remind him why SB 1070 is immoral. Bob Goodman said he talks with "Mexicans" in the "Latin community" and opposes SB 1070, but also said Nevada needs to stay out of the Arizona fight by not trying to use SB 1070 to snatch companies away from Arizona. Robert Randazzo then said Nevada shouldn't overtly make an anti-SB 1070 case to Arizona companies lest that fuel the flames for anti-immigrant forces to do something similar here, but he also said he's work his hardest to make sure nothing like that would happen here next year.

- I was actually able to get a question in on train service from Las Vegas to Southern California, and making sure a new Vegas high-speed rail line connects to the California High Speed Rail line. Paul Murad said he'd support whichever train(s) work(s) best, regardless of who's been politicking the most or least, to move people between Vegas and SoCal and work with California leaders to make it happen, as well as eventually put together a more comprehensive high-speed rail network connecting Las Vegas and Reno to Northern California, Southern California, and Arizona. Bob Goodman says he's worked with California before on a number of transportation issues, and he's ready again to go to bat for DesertXpress. Robert Randazzo also said DesertXpress is the most promising, as it's already secured private funding, but did add that it must go all the way from Downtown Las Vegas to Downtown Los Angeles to actually succeed (otherwise, no one will want to ride from somewhere ridiculously off-Strip to Victorville).

- And toward the end, we had had quite the discussion on education! Everyone got into it, and we started taking questions and comments from the audience. Paul Murad said his college education abroad best prepared him for the Lt. Gov. job, but Robert Randazzo explained how his own experience in the airline industry prepared him... And then, the audience started breaking out with all sorts of comments! Bob Goodman said the Lt. Gov. job doesn't have to do with state education policy, but then an audience member objected and said economic development is directly tied to education. Murad then tried to take that idea further, but it ended up being a back and forth with numerous audience members that kept me on the edge of my seat!

All in all, this wasn't exactly the debate I had expected. And you know what? That was a good thing! We heard some interesting questions, and even more interesting answers! You can check my Twitter for even more from Saturday night. And again, it was great to see so many great progressive Democrats light up that patio at The Arts Factory! Whoever wins the primary, I'm feeling pretty good about our chances to get one of them elected in November. :-)

NV-LtGov: The Nevada Progressive Jessica Sferrazza Interview

A couple days after I spoke with Paul Murad on why he wants to be Nevada's next Lieutenant Governor, I had a chance to chat with another of the Democrats running, Jessica Sferrazza. Jessica currently serves on the Reno City Council... And in fact, she's the only Democrat on the council. However, that hasn't stopped her from making some major accomplishments up north, and we were able to talk about this and why she thinks this experience has prepared her best for the job of Lieutenant Governor.

Here are the questions I asked:

Moi: You like to talk about how your experience makes you the best qualified candidate... So how exactly have your career and life experience prepared you for the job of Lieutenant Governor?

Sferrazza: "I have a record of accomplishments, and I'm the only candidate who has brought major conventions to the state." We then discussed her work at the National League of Cities, and in bringing their convention recently to Reno.

"I have a track record of building renewable energy projects and job creation." Later on in the interview, we'd get into more detail on what Sferrazza has worked on in Reno.

I also asked her specifically about her experience in local government, since she's the only candidate running who currently holds elected office. But first, she wanted to let me know that two of her opponents aren't the only ones with private business experience.

"I understand the process. I'm the board member of a corporation that has a $500 million budget and 1,400 employees."

And then, Sferrazza turned back to Reno, discussing her work on economic development and housing issues on the city council and on the Reno housing board. She mentioned that she was able to work with Harry Reid to deliver $22 million in foreclosure relief funding (something that Clark County and the City of Las Vegas failed to achieve earlier this year due to misuse, and in some cases no use, of housing funds released in 2009).

"I have the experience to do the job."

She mentioned how the Lt. Governor oversees bond issues, and how she's already dealt with this in Reno.

Moi: We hear plenty from candidates all the time about renewable energy... But all too often, it's "all talk and no action". How will you actually use the position of Lieutenant Governor to recruit more clean energy companies to Nevada?

Sferrazza: She started out the gate in letting me know that the Reno City Council (again, she's the only Democrat) has already done this for the last three years. "We're not just talking about it. We're doing it."

She then let me know about Reno recently hosting a geothermal convention, a casino taking on a geothermal project, and the largest geothermal company in world calling Reno its home. Sferrazza then told me about how the city practices what it preaches by putting solar panels on top of City Hall and wind turbines by other municipal buildings.

She also talked about working with manufacturing companies to bring wind turbine and solar panel manufacturing plants to Reno. After all, "We need to get Building Trades back to work. We've got to get them new careers." And with the real estate boom now bust for some time, we need to look at more sustainable options (environmentally and economically) to put our workers back to work.

Moi: We've been hearing plenty of talk lately about economic diversification... But again, not enough action. What will you actually do as Lt. Governor to recruit more companies in more sectors so that Nevada is no longer so overdependent on the casinos?

Sferrazza started by pointing out that most economic developmebnt projects go through local government first, and that she understands this especially as someone who's worked in local government. She said that the state "needs to be ambassador" and connect businesses to local governments across the state.

We then discussed the importance of drawing more cultural events to state to improve the quality of life, and attract more industries. She said that The Smith Center (Las Vegas' new performing arts venue set to open in 2012) is a good start, and that Southern Nevada should continue building more arts and culture, like what Reno has done with Artown. She also mentioned Las Vegas' burgeoning medical research boom, and that we need to capitalize more on The Cleveland Clinic bringing The Lou Ruvo Brain Center to Vegas.

Moi: As someone from Northern Nevada, how do you relate to the many challenges we face in Southern Nevada?

Sferrazza: She started off by saying that as President of the Nevada League of Cities, "My job is to represent all the cities, including all the cities in Southern Nevada." She said that she's been working on economic diversification with local Southern Nevada leaders for some time.

"I understand the issues Nevadans are facing all across the state."

She went on to say that Reno and the rest of Northern Nevada is also facing economic challenges such as home foreclosures and unemployment, so it's not like she hasn't dealt with the problems plaguing Las Vegas today.

"You've got to look at this state as one Nevada."

Moi: With the Travel Promotion Act now law, as many as 1.6 million more international tourists will be coming to America each year... So how will you take advantage of this and bring these tourists to Nevada?

Sferrazza: She started by thanking Senator Harry Reid for the Travel Promotion Act, then went on to describe how she'd like Nevada to take advantage of it. She said there's a need for public/private partnership to promote Nevada and market Nevada as the premier destination resort.

Moi: And what will you be doing to bring more domestic tourists back to Nevada? With so many states now legalizing some sort of gambling, how do we maintain a competitive edge?

Sferrazza: "We need to embrace gaming in this state," while also working to diversify our gaming sector. Since non-gaming revenue now exceeds gaming revenue at most casinos, we now have to create new special events and do more to bring visitors to play at our casinos while also realizing there's far more to do here today. She mentioned what Reno has already done with the River Festival in bringing more outdoor explorers to visit Reno, and Artown in bringing a plethora of arts and culture (along with many thousands of visitors!) to Reno in July. Sferrazza said there's much more work to be done in "marking our quality entertainment".

Moi: Now that we're on the topic of taxes, do you think we need to rethink our tax structure? Does mining pay its fair share? Do casinos? Is our tax structure inherently regressive?

Sferrazza: "It's wrong to go after just one industry to rely for tax revenue," referring to the state's current (over)dependence on gaming to save the day and balance the budget. She also said that "industry specific taxes simply don't work", (Was this referring to gaming? Mining? Both?) and that she awaits the results of the study that the Nevada Legislature has commissioned on the state's tax structure which should be ready by the 2011 session.

Moi: You've talked about being a "lifelong Democrat"... And I guess this means the other candidates aren't? Seriously, why have you been a lifelong Democrat and what Democratic values will you bring to the office of Lt. Governor?

Sferrazza: "I'm a lifelong Democrat because we care about people. We care about equal rights. We care about seniors. We care about the working people of this state."

She then elaborated on her support for unions and workers' right to organize, and for senior citizens and making sure we can take care of them with Medicare & Social Security.

"I'm a Democrat because we care about people, and we care about all people. I didnt switch from Independent American to Democrat [Murad]. I didn't switch from Republican to Democrat [Randazzo?]."

Moi: And finally, we saw major progress in the fight for LGBTQ equality with the passage of SB 283... But even with this and especially its provision that leaves it optional public and private employers to provide health insurance benefits and other workplace benefits to workers and their domestic partners, our work seems incomplete. Would you support amending SB 283 to ensure that all Nevada workers and their domestic partners receive the same equal benefits at work?

Sferrazza: She said she absolutely would, and that she's already been successful in getting both the Reno City Council and the Reno Housing Authority to provide domestic partner benefits.

"It's an issue of equality. Period. It's an issue of fairness and equality."

So what did I think coming out of this?

Obviously, Jessica Sferrazza has a different perspective coming from Northern Nevada and being someone who's worked in local government. She was quick to her feet on every state law, every old and new Reno policy, and even every big development coming from Vegas. Now I can see why Sferrazza was the youngest city council member ever elected in Reno.

If Paul Murad is the "fresh newcomer" with "fresh ideas", then Sferrazza looks ready to show she has her own interesting ideas and (she would argue) great benefits that come with experience in the public sector.

So where does Robert Randazzo fit in? Stay tuned as I soon try to find out. :-)

NV-LtGov: The Nevada Progressive Paul Murad Interview

Over the weekend, I had a chance to chat with Paul Murad, one of the Democrats running to replace scandalicious GOoPer hot mess Brian "Krooklicki". I know we've seen him before at a number of Democratic club meetings and campaign events, but I had a chance to dig a little deeper and ask some more on the questions on my mind... And I hope, find answers to what you've been thinking and asking.

Here were the questions I asked:

Moi: You like to talk about how your experience makes you the best qualified candidate... So how exactly have your career and life experience prepared you for the job of Lieutenant Governor?

Murad: "My life overall prepared me for experience of public service... It's a public duty. That's how I look at it."

He said that he's not out to use this office "as a political stepping stone... It's a public service. I have a history of giving back to the community." He mentioned his teaching, experience in Las Vegas real estate, his other community service projects, and working on organizations like the Las Vegas World Affairs Council that promote more global understanding.

"My history of public service makes me best qualified to serve."

Moi: We hear plenty from candidates all the time about renewable energy... But all too often, it's "all talk and no action". How will you actually use the position of Lieutenant Governor to recruit more clean energy companies to Nevada?

Murad: He mentioned his work on this issue as being "more of long-term involvement". He talked about his work with Global Green USA, as well as practicing what he preaches by driving a hybrid car for the last five years.

He also mentioned that he's really out to recruit more manufacturing jobs (like the wind turbine plant that Senator Reid recruited to come here).

I also asked about solar and wind farms, like Amargosa Valley, which have been stalled due to environmental issues (ironically). He responded that his experience in smart growth and sustainable development has prepared him for tricky tasks like these. He stated the need for feasibility and environmental impact studies, and that he has already dealt with these problems in the real estate arena.

Moi: With the Travel Promotion Act now law, as many as 1.6 million more international tourists will be coming to America each year... So how will you take advantage of this and bring these tourists to Nevada?

Murad: "There's a need to market Nevada internationally... It's great to now have federal backing. We're competing with the rest of the world, and we're competing to win. No one's more qualified for this than me. I've worked in forty countries."

Moi: And what will you be doing to bring more domestic tourists back to Nevada? With so many states now legalizing some sort of gambling, how do we maintain a competitive edge?

Murad: "Expanding tourism is one of my three top priorities." He then went on to his proposal to work with state agencies to finally build high-speed rail lines to make it easier for the ten million visitors who come every year from California to come to Nevada.

I asked specifically about DesertXpress, and Murad said that he's ready to work with California's elected officials on connecting DesertXpress in Victorville to the California High-speed Rail Network stop in Palmdale.

Moi: We've been hearing plenty of talk lately about economic diversification... But again, not enough action. What will you actually do as Lt. Gov. to recruit more companies in more sectors so that Nevada is no longer so overdependent on the casinos?

Murad: He said he's been talking about this since last fall... And he already has his "50/50 plan" to bring the top 50 US corporations and top 50 international corporations to do more business (and hopefully, relocated headquarters) in Nevada.

Moi: Now that we're on the topic of taxes, do you think we need to rethink our tax structure? Does mining pay its fair share? Do casinos? Is our tax structure inherently regressive?

Murad: "We need comprehensive tax reform. We shouldn't be targeting or excluding any particular industry. We need to target in a comprehensive way so we can fund essential services like public education, good roads, trains, and public infrastructure."

Moi: One of the other candidates talks about being a "lifelong Democrat"... So you're not? So why did you become a Democrat, and what Democratic values will you bring to the office of Lt. Gov.?

Murad: "I have experience... I have the experience of being raised in a communist country, the former USSR. It's something I lived through, the end of the Cold War. I've witnessed that. I had very humble beginnings."

"No one from either party welcomed me then, so I registered with the American Independent Party." And then, he said as he became more politically involved and learned more about American politics, he then became a Democrat. "I made the choice to be an American. I made the choice to be a Democrat. Now I made the choice to step up and serve my community."

Moi: I hear you've been on a reality TV show... And there was some controversy over it. Is there an up side to this?

Murad: "It happened 3 years ago. [His "Millionaire Matchmaker" appearance and the fallout with Patti Stanger, that is.] I've never been hiding behind the shadows. It's about me having real world experience and real life background."

We then moved on to discuss parlaying this into bringing more TV and film production to Nevada. Murad said he's come to know more about the film industry from his strange Bravo experience. He pointed out to be that only $100 million in production was spent in Nevada... As opposed to New York City getting $750 million.

I then asked how we can catch up with states like New Mexico and New York that have been so aggressive in recruiting more film production. Murad responded with facts on New Mexico offering a 25% rebate, and other tax incentives that leading states offer. 42 states now offer various incentives... But Nevada doesn't, and this needs to change.

Moi: So finally, what makes you think you have the best chance of winning?

Murad: "The facts don't lie." He cited three recent straw polls (2 Stonewall straw polls, and one from Si Se Puede) showing him winning BIG, and he said momentum building for his campaign.

But why?

"I am the only candidate from Clark County. The others are from the north. They're not a part of this community. I am. Southern Nevadans realize this is something we need."

Obviously, the North vs. South divide continues to play out in this campaign. (Heads up: Look out tomorrow for my interview with Jessica Sferrazza to see how she responded to this.)

Murad then mentioned how he has full time staff, ambassadors, and volunteers that are all busy reaching out to voters and reaching out to local media. He then said that because he speaks fluent Spanish, he can also communicate to almost 30% of population that are Latino and Latina.

"We bring diversity. We're not the same old Nevada of 10 years ago. We're the new nevada, and we're embracing it."

Murad closed by describing some more why he thinks he's the candidate best positioned to win in November.

"I don't have big company like one of my opponents. I have time to help Democratic Party... In the general, I have the best chance of having my personal story cut through the lies and beat Brian Krolicki."

So what did I think coming out of this?

Obviously, Murad sees what may be a valuable trump card in his location. He lives and works here in Southern Nevada, while the other two major candidates are up north.

Still, I could also sense a genuine interest in public policy. As you can tell above, he was pretty knowledgeable about the intricacies of renewable energy, the challenges ahead in rebuilding Nevada's tourism industry, and the overall need for a more diverse Nevada economy. For someone who's "not a career politician", Murad sounded like someone who knows his stuff.

So as I hinted at above, I also did an interview with Reno City Council Member Jessica Sferrazza... And you'll be reading all of it tomorrow. I asked her most of the same questions, along with a couple curveballs. You can see for yourself then how she compares (and contrasts).

The Long Awaited Henderson Democratic Club Lieutenant Governor Debate!

So how was that Lieutenant Governor candidates' debate? Well, I'm about to answer this and some more questions you may have about the Henderson Democratic Club's debate on Wednesday. We had four Democratic candidates come by to visit and take questions: Paul Murad, Jessica Sferrazza, Robert Randazzo, and Bob Goodman. Clark County Democratic Party Chair Roberta Lange moderated.

The debate started with opening statements. Bob Goodman began by describing his work on the Nevada Tourism Commission in the 1970s and 1980s, and the progress he mad on the economic front with Governor Mike O'Callaghan. Paul Murad was next, opening by declaring, "I'm ready to serve on Day One!" He then went into a little bio of him as a small business owner in Las Vegas, and his call to "keep the job local". Robert Randazzo then tried to "one-up" that, saying that "ordinary Nevadans like me should get more involved" as he was describing his private sector accomplishments in Reno. And finally, Jessica Sferrazza declared, "I'm proud to be a lifelong Democrat!", and said how experience in local government in Reno prepared her for the job.

And from there, it was on to questions. You can take a look at the Stonewall Twitter page to see all the details of what was asked. I'll shake it up this time by just cutting to the chase with each of the candidates and what they said.

They all claimed records of achievement. However, Murad and Randazzo highlighted their business careers while Sferrazza and Goodman noted their track record in public service. (Sferrazza serves on the Reno City Council, while Goodman was appointed to the Tourism and Economic Development Commissions by Gov. Mike O'Callaghan.) Sferrazza said that "now is not the time for on the job training in this economic crisis",

All of them talked about the need for more renewable energy development in Nevada, and all touted their respective records. Sferrazza spearheaded the "clean energy bonds" that have funded a number of green projects in Reno, and said she would like to make this program statewide. Murad mentioned that he actually drives a Prius, and that he's already been working on green projects in the private sector. Randazzo highlighted his plans to recruit more renewable energy projects for the state, and then create a private fund to collect clean energy royalties and create tax free money for people to use for education and health care.

All of them talked about tourism and expanding our entertainment industry, but each of the candidates had a slightly different take on what to actually do to make it happen. Goodman talked about his experience with Gov. O'Callaghan in the 1970s in working to bring TV show production to Nevada. Murad mentioned his experience in bringing New York and LA professionals to Vegas, so he said that means he has what it takes to lure the film industry to Nevada. Sferrazza, meanwhile, mentioned that she's already worked in Reno to bring more TV and film crews to Reno. Randazzo then said, "Our support of the movie industry must start from the ground up", and promised that he would have a direct line to TV and film professionals, and that he would use these contacts to bring them here to Nevada.

The candidates also went at it on tourism. Sferrazza thanked Senator Harry Reid for the Tourism Promotion Act, and discussed her experience in Reno in bringing major events to town, getting the Reno Aces' Stadium built, and bringing more national conventions to Reno. Randazzo talked about his experience in selling airline tickets, and that he's especially prepared to increase Nevada tourism. Murad talked about high speed rail and brining the Winter Olympics to Reno and Tahoe.

And then, the inevitable... The question on North vs. South. Doesn't the North get more money than the South? Doesn't the South need more help on economic diversification than the South? Goodman proclaimed that "everyone has to work together, or no one will succeed". Sferrazza then proclaimed that "we are one Nevada", and talked about her work with the Nevada League of Cities to fight state raids of local budgets and her work with Senator Reid to secure $22 million in foreclosure relief funds for Reno. Murad, on the other hand, blurted out that "there is a North/South divide", but then said that he's neither a Southern or Northern candidate and that he's work hard for all parts of Nevada.

Toward the end, the candidates had a chance to talk more about their backgrounds. Rendazzo started off cleaning toilets for United Airlines, then began selling tickets for United, and now runs a software company in the Reno area... And is still a union member, and he talked about how he thinks about his employees every day when making business decisions. Murad talked about growing up in the former Soviet Union, emigrating to America, and not letting his "rags to riches" story get the best of him... He's still giving back to the community today. Goodman described his humble beginnings as a truck driver, all the way to serving Gov. O'Callaghan and moving on to the private sector.

And finally, there was a question of what one would first do upon taking office. Goodman said he wants to "fire all the cronies" and only hire competent professionals. Randazzo said he wanted to start immediately on redirecting sales tax revenue to fund needed public works projects. Sferrazza said she wanted to start working immediately on bringing more renewable energy projects to Nevada. Murad said he wanted to start on his "50/50 plan" to recruit the 50 top domestic companies and 50 top international companies to do business in Nevada.

So what attacks were thrown out? Honestly, it didn't get too bad. Sferrazza just threw something out about Nevada needing a Lieutenant Governor who didn't need "on the job training", and Murad said he wasn't a "career politician". And other than that, Goodman just seemed to laugh all of it off as he kept reminding us that he was around when the other candidates were still in elementary school.

So who won? And who lost? I'll let you decide. And again, please check my Twitter notes to see all that was said. And whomever wins the primary, he or she will be far better at the job than "Krooklicki" is now.

Henderson Dem Club Lt. Gov. Debate TONIGHT!

If you're here in the 'hood (you know, my bad@ss hood of Green Valley!), please stop by, say hi, and learn more about these candidates... Hopefully, one of them will be our next Lieutenant Governor!

Lt. Governor (D) Candidates Round Table Debate
Type:
Meetings - Informational Meeting
Date:
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
Time:
7:00pm - 9:00pm
Location:
IBPAT 1701 Ramrod Ave, Henderson
Description
Lt Gov candidates are scheduled to participate in a roundtable discussion: Reno Councilwoman Jessica Sferrazza, Las Vegas Businessman Paul Murad, former Director of the Nevada Department of Tourism and Economic Development Robert E. Goodman and Reno Businessman Robert Randazzo.

CC Democratic Central Committee Chairman Roberta Lange will speak about the importance of the primary election, as well as give us a Central Committee update, and she will moderate the discussion.

Doors open at 6:30pm Meeting starts at 7pm

And in case you can't make it, I'll (AGAIN!) be live-tweeting it tonight! Just follow Stonewall at @LVStonewallDems, and you can follow the play-by-play online from the comfort of wherever you're at.

So I'll see you tonight! :-)