Election 2008: State Senate District No. 6:

Copening challenges incumbent Beers for state Senate seat

Thursday, Oct. 9, 2008 | 10:18 a.m.

Bob Beers

Allison Copening

2008 Election Guide

The race for State Senate District 6 has Republican incumbent Bob Beers, 48, defending his seat against Democrat Allison Copening.

Beers said that economic recovery is the biggest problem Nevada. He said his background, which includes starting a small business that created jobs that are still in place today, will help him in his goal of re-election.

While in office, Beers introduced Nevada’s “Official English” language bill in 2007 and is still trying to pass the Tax and Spending Control Amendment, which aims to reduce government spending hikes in relation to the growth rate.

“We need to teach students who don’t speak English the language first then the other subjects because trying to teach the subjects while teaching English just slows learning for everyone,” he said.

While Beers wants to see his plans through, Copening, 44, is ready to propose some ideas of her own.

“We need money in the schools budget, but increasing taxes is just not responsible now,” she said. “So many of our residents leave our borders for states like Arizona to buy lottery tickets and our money is going to fund their education.” She details her plan to introduce a statewide lottery to help fund education on her campaign Web site.

A breast cancer survivor, Copening said she also wants to pass legislation to make health care more affordable and create greater accountability for insurance companies.