Last night the top two candidates for Nevada Governor, Rory Reid and Brian Sandoval held their second debate.
About a dozen questions were asked in the one hour debate with the bulk of the questions revolving around Nevada’s $3 billion deficit and the plans that each had to tackle that deficit, which will certainly be the biggest hurdle for who ever takes office.
Rory Reid opened by saying "only one of us has managed a large organization, created jobs, and balanced a budget the size of the States, and only one of us has stood up to special interests. And only one of has offered a detailed plan to create jobs, diversify our economy and strengthen education. No one knows how Brian Sandoval would do this job because he’s never done anything like it before, and he doesn’t have a plan to do it now".
Sandoval opened by saying, "Nevada you have a decision to make, we have some challenges we face as Mr. Fox (the moderator) described. We have historical challenges that this State has never faced. This is a time for straight talk, this is a time for a Governor who would level with you." "First is experience, I have had the privilege of serving this State as a legislator, attorney General, Chairman of the Nevada gaming Commission, and as a Federal judge."
Rory Reid who released his budget plan a couple of weeks ago, Moving Nevada Forward, talked about how he would deal with the deficit while not raising taxes. Reid mentioned more than once that his budget plan is available on his website Rory2010.com.
Brian Sandoval who has yet to present a budget plan, pretty much talked about how Reid’s plan will not work, which really was all he could do since he hasn’t released his budget plan he promised after winning the primary back in June, a point that was mentioned on several occasions as well..
In fact Sandoval went so far as to say that "his opponent doesn’t have a plan" which is not true, it is Sandoval who has no plan, but he really couldn’t say that, all he could do was attack Reid’s plan and hope the viewing audience didn’t notice that he came empty handed with no plan to balance the State budget.
Education was again talked about which was the main focus of the first debate, and Sandoval admitted that he would continue the teachers furlough program, while Reid insisted that we need to invest more in education and that Sandoval would cut teachers salaries by 20 percent..
Health Care Reforms were another topic and Sandoval said that he would seek to repeal the new health care reforms, Reid said he would not, but the States biggest problem with the Health Reforms would be seen in the State Medicaid program, which he said he would stream line, and go after the fraud and waste in the Medicaid system so that when the new laws that affect the Medicaid program start, Nevada would be in a better position to deal with them.
Both were asked about Arizona’s Immigration Laws and if they would attempt to bring similar Laws to Nevada. Sandoval said he approves of the Arizona Laws and said the State has the right to enact immigration Laws.
The Arizona Laws have been contested by the Department of Justice as being unconstitutional because immigration laws fall under Foreign policy in the US Constitution and are the sole domain of the Federal government. It is not practicable to have 50 States making their own foreign policies. Most of the Arizona Bill was gutted and put on hold. Sandoval went on to say that he would not necessarily look to implement similar laws here in Nevada unless he was advised to do so.
Rory Reid answered the question by saying that he does not agree with the Arizona Laws and what is needed is Comprehensive Immigration legislation by the Federal government.
Water rights were talked about, the Southern Nevada Water Authority has a $3.5 billion plan to pump water from Eastern Nevada to Southern Nevada and each were asked if they support this plan.
Reid talked about his experience with negotiating water rights with neighboring Counties and that he would work to negotiate a deal with Eastern Nevada working with the State Water Engineer.
Sandoval said that he would let the State Water Engineer make the decision.
Renewable energy was also a hot topic because it plays a major role in Reid’s budget plan to create jobs for Nevadans and to diversify our economy. Reid mentioned how well suited Nevada is with Solar, Wind, biomass and Geothermal energy sources, which Nevada has in abundance. Reid said we do not need to truck in coal from other States to meet Nevada’s energy needs, we can be self sufficient with clean energy production and even sell the surplus to other States which would bring more money to Nevada.
Sandoval said "renewable energy is an important component for the future of the State of Nevada. I had an opportunity to visit a geothermal energy center, I’ve had an opportunity to visit a solar plant. Nevada can be a leader in the country in renewable energy.
The next Gubernatorial debate will be held Oct. 26 in Elko sponsored by KENV-TV, and Oct. 27 in Reno on KRNV-TV’s "Nevada Newsmakers" program. Early voting begins October 16th.