Guinn, Jones distinguish abortion stands

Scott Sonner

Friday, Oct. 30, 1998 | 11:17 a.m.

RENO, Nev. -- Republican Kenny Guinn says he's pro-choice, but supports a state law that forbids abortions for teenagers without parental consent.

Democrat Jan Jones said requiring parental notification is a "dangerous precedent" she would fight.

The two gubernatorial candidates distinguished their positions on reproductive rights but not much else during a debate Thursday night moderated by the conservative host of a talk radio show.

The debate, to air today on KOH Radio, was taped at the Peppermill Hotel and Casino with host Rusty Humphries.

Each candidate made a special effort to persuade the crowd of about 300 that they are not beholden to the gambling industry.

Guinn said only 30 percent of the more $5.4 million he has raised for his campaign has come from casinos. Jones, who has raised nearly $2 million, said only a dime of every dollar she takes in is from the gambling industry.

"If 70 percent of my money comes from non-gaming, I owe a lot of other people a lot more," Guinn said.

Responding to a question from a woman in the audience, Guinn said, "I am absolutely pro-choice."

He said he opposes so-called "partial-birth" abortions and supports "the right of parents to be notified" about a child who wants to have an abortion.

"That is the law of the state today," Guinn said.

"If your child is 17 years of age in high school today, for them to get a flu vaccine shot at the county, you have to have approval of parents. If you don't want to have approval of parents for an abortion, I think that is wrong," he said.

Jones said she is "adamantly pro-choice." She said she opposes "partial-birth" abortions unless the health of the mother is at risk.

"Parental notification is a very dangerous precedent," Jones said.

"It sounds great but very often you have young women who are victims of incest or rape by a parent and you have to give them the ability to deal with that instance," she said.

Guinn touted his proposal for boot camps for troublemakers in schools.

Jones said that might work for chronic violent offenders. But she said it's a bad idea to pull kids out of schools for typical disciplinary problems.

"To think you can take kids out of school for 120 days and put them in a boot camp is just not feasible," she said.

Each said they were qualified to deal with an anticipated $90 million shortfall in the state budget next year.

Jones said she effectively tackled budget deficits as mayor of Las Vegas in 1991. Guinn said outgoing Gov. Bob Miller looked to him to serve on a committee that addressed a $200 shortfall in the state budget that year.