Candidates say the economy, taxes are biggest concerns

Friday, Aug. 9, 2002 | 9:23 a.m.

Although doctors pressed candidates running for state Senate District 8 for more malpractice relief, the voters are more worried about taxes, education and the economy, candidates said Thursday.

Assemblywoman Barbara Cegavske, a Republican, said the 2003 Legislature will face tough economic decisions for the state. In addition to medical malpractice, the Nevada's $100 million deficit is a real problem.

"We need to let everybody know we are in a crisis," Cegavske said during a debate sponsored by the Charleston Neighborhood Preservation organization Thursday at the West Sahara Library.

"This is scary," Cegavske said. "People in their mid 50s can't get jobs."

Ed Portello, a Democrat, said taxes, utility bills and prescription drug prices were most often mentioned when he went from door to door.

"I'm definitely for a lottery," said Portello, from a family of builders from New Jersey. A previous effort to launch a lottery in Nevada failed.

Taxes, education and the growth of Southern Nevada's economy are the top issues candidate Tom Christensen, a Republican, said he hears the most.

"I'm not in favor of any taxes," Christensen said, including taxes on income, inheritance or a lottery.

A trial lawyer, Christensen said the malpractice law passed by the special session of the Legislature deserves a chance.

"I'm a trial lawyer, but I'm in favor of tort reform," he said.

Christensen's father, Carl Christensen, was a District Court judge for 22 years and sat with many family members in the audience of more than 50 people.

Democrat Kristen Hansen said she worried about thousands of Las Vegas residents still struggling to find a job after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. She pledged to improve the economic base.

"When the average Nevadan does well, Nevada does well," Hansen said.