ISSUES
(Dennis Hof) – Generally speaking, I am a limited government, low-tax, pro-business, state’s rights, live-and-let-live “conservatarian.”
To advance these principles in the Nevada Legislature, when drafting, reviewing and evaluating legislation, I will ask the following questions:
1.) Does the bill reduce government regulations, reduce the size of government, eliminate entitlements, or eliminate unnecessary programs?
2.) Does the bill reduce taxes or fees?
3.) Does the bill encourage responsible behavior by individuals and families and encourage them to provide for their own health, safety, education or general welfare?
4.) Does the bill increase opportunities for individuals or families to decide, without hindrance or coercion from government, how to conduct their own lives and make personal choices?
5.) Does the bill enhance the power of parents and guardians to rear their own children without excessive interference from the government?
When considering an issue I will consult with experts on both sides and make an informed decision that is in the best interest of the people of District 36.
With that said, here are my positions on some of the key issues facing us. We probably won’t agree on every issue. And that’s OK. But at least you’ll know where I stand.
And you’ll know that you can email me to voice your opinion and make your case at [email protected]
Education
I know some people still cling to the disproved notion that “more money” will fix our public schools. It won’t. Not by itself; not without dramatic other reforms. Our public schools aren’t broke. They’re broken. It’s the system, not the funding.
Education in this state will never get measurably better until we stop worrying about the public schools and start worry about the students. Tax dollars should follow the child, not the other way around. Just as parents and guardians are allowed to choose their kid’s doctor or dentist, they should be allowed to choose their child’s teacher, as well.
As critical as food is to life, the government doesn’t operate statewide public grocery stores. Instead the government provides “food stamps” so low-income families can afford to shop in privately-owned and operated grocery stores.
Similarly, low- and middle-class families need and deserve the financial assistance that will allow them to exercise the same school choice for their children as wealthy families. So I fully support Nevada’s new “Education Savings Accounts” and will NOT vote for a budget that does not include funding for this landmark parental choice program.
No ESAs…no budget. Period.
I oppose the Common Core Standards and federal data collection on our children. There is no one-size-fits-all curriculum. What our children are taught and how should be determined by local school boards, classroom teachers and parents.
And by the way, many teachers are still woefully underpaid. We need to dramatically reduce the number of non-teaching “administrators” and use the savings to pay for higher teacher salaries.
There are countless issues out there regarding education. If you have a specific question or suggestion, email me at [email protected]
Taxes
Politicians who raise taxes are taking the easy way out rather making the tough spending decisions and setting priorities the way you and I do for our families and businesses.
Unlike my opponent, I have signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge promising the voters of District 36 that I will oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes, while remaining open to revenue-neutral tax reform that shifts our state’s tax burden in a more equitable and diversified manner.
I also support a constitutional amendment closing the “Tax Hike Loophole” by requiring a 2/3 super-majority vote of the people for any tax or fee hikes the Legislature puts on the ballot, just like the present requirement for tax or fee hikes approved by the Legislature itself.
Anyone who doesn’t think they are paying enough in taxes should voluntarily pay more without forcing the rest of us who think our taxes are high enough already to pay more.
Got any other ideas or suggestions? Shoot them to me at [email protected]
Commerce Tax Repeal
Over 80 percent of voters in District 36 voted against the gross business tax that was on the ballot in 2014. I support efforts to repeal this anti-business, job-killing new tax and work with colleagues and legislative staff on alternative ways to fund the state’s necessary, effective and constitutionally permissible services and programs.
Please send any suggestions for spending cuts or areas where we can make government more efficient and less costly to [email protected]
Spending
I support the creation of a permanent, joint Senate/Assembly “Anti-Appropriations Committee” in the Nevada Legislature with the sole mission of identifying non-essential, wasteful or duplicative spending and recommending their elimination.
Water
1.) Due to years of nuclear testing at the Nevada Test Site by the federal government, the residents and local governing bodies of District 36 are literally sitting on some 1.6 trillion gallons of contaminated, unusable water. This is a ruined resource worth billions and billions of dollars.
I will vigorously push for legislation to compel the federal government to enter into talks with Nevada and the communities of Assembly District 36 and to negotiate equitable and commensurate compensation for this ruined resource.
2.) District 36 residents face a serious problem with their water rights to usable water exceeding the annual “recharge” of our water basins.
I will support legislation that encourages water conservation through a water banking system. The current doctrine of “use it or lose it” should be suspendable at the discretion of the Nevada State Engineer upon request of the local governing entity.
3.) I will work to ensure that domestic well use rights of individual well owners are not sacrificed to pave the way for large scale developments, water utilities, and commercial / industrial ventures to set up shop in District 36.
4.) While the exact mix of conservation and regulations are still to be determined, I respect the right of all existing domestic well owners to continue using their wells and will not support legislation that tries to force you to switch over to a water utility against your will.
Gun Rights
As the saying goes, “When seconds count, first-responders are minutes away.”
As such I am an adamant and unapologetic supporter of Nevadans’ gun rights and oppose Question 1 on the November ballot. Click here to see my 2018 responses to the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) candidate questionnaire.
And, unlike my opponent, I support 100% a campus carry law that would protect the right of licensed concealed-carry permit holders to carry their weapons on our state’s college and university campuses for self-protection.
Immigration
There’s no doubt our state and country desperately needs comprehensive immigration reform. But the devil, as always, is in the details.
My parents immigrated to the United States through Ellis Island, so I fully support LEGAL immigration. The question is what to do about stopping ILLEGAL immigration. Don’t let the media continue to confuse the two. They are entirely different issues.
Obviously, I support President Trump’s efforts to make our borders more secure to protect us from those trying to enter our country illegally with the intent of doing us harm or sell illegal narcotics.
Secondly I support the proposed ballot initiative to ban sanctuary cities in Nevada and prevent Nevada from becoming a “sanctuary state” like California.
I know this is a very touchy and emotional issue on both sides, so again, if you want to discuss this further email me at [email protected]
[UPDATE: May 24, 2018] – The following positions on additional issues were published in the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Candidate Guide today…
What’s the biggest challenge facing Nevadans living in your district, and how would you tackle it?
Higher taxes and bigger government. Unlike my opponent, I’ve signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge promising to oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes – as he did by voting for the largest tax hike in Nevada history in the 2015 session.
Why would Nevada be better served with an annual Legislature? If you believe biannual meetings are ideal, why?
Nevada would NOT be better served with annual sessions. Having politicians in session more often would only give them more time to do more damage by making government bigger and more expensive. If a state as big as Texas can operate without annual sessions, so can Nevada.
Education and local government officials have lobbied for a change in property tax cap. Should the caps be raised? If so, how should the money be spent? If not, what is the best way for governments to raise money for local programs?
I am opposed to raising property taxes. Local governments need to learn to operate with the existing tax revenue we taxpayers already give them by setting spending priorities and eliminating waste, fraud and abuse. As Ronald Reagan said, “The problem is not that people are taxed too little, the problem is that government spends too much.”
Lawmakers in 2019 will have their first opportunities to tweak the voter-approved marijuana laws. How would you change Nevada’s marijuana laws?
The Legislature needs to approve state-chartered banks so that legal marijuana establishments can use banking services instead of the dangerous current system where they are forced to be “all cash” businesses.
If you could pass one bill in the 2019 Legislature, what would it be
Repealing the Commerce Tax.
How do Nevada citizens benefit by having the Legislature be exempt from most of the state’s public records laws?
They do not benefit whatsoever. The public’s business should be public, open and transparent. It’s long past time for Nevada’s Legislature to stop doing the public’s business in secret and behind closed doors.
What They’re Saying: Tucker Carlson, FOX News, MSNBC, The Daily Caller
“Dennis is a thoroughly charming guy – one of the great American salesmen, a consummate showman. While I’m not sure I support the business 100 percent, he is a totally self-made guy – something I really respect.”
What They’re Saying: Jim Marsh, Businessman
“As the longtime owner of several businesses in southern Nevada – including the Longstreet Inn and Casino in Amargosa Valley – I know a successful entrepreneur when I see one. And Dennis Hof is just that. He owns dozens of successful tax revenue-producing operations and fully understands the undue burdens government too often puts on the shoulders of the true job creators in our state. We need more like him in the Legislature.”
What They’re Saying: Bob Zmuda, Writer/Producer
“I’ve known Dennis for almost 40 years and he’s one of my and the late Andy Kaufman’s best friends. While I appreciate that some people may object to his business, the fact is it’s legal and safe. It also empowers the women who chose to work there to control their own lives and destinies. Dennis is also one of the kindest, most generous men I’ve had the pleasure to know in celebrity circles.” (Mr. Zmuda is the founder of Comic Relief and producer of “Man in the Moon”)
What They’re Saying: Judy Gloria, Former Hof Bookeeper
“I worked for Dennis for almost twenty years – first doing his banking and then booking his travel. I still hear from him on my birthdays and on Christmas. He always sends me a card and a generous check. How many bosses do that? How many former bosses?”
What They’re Saying: Grover Norquist, Americans for Tax Reform
“Raising taxes is what weak politicians do instead of the hard work of making tough spending choices. Assemblyman Oscarson took the easy way out and voted for the largest tax hike in Nevada history last year. His opponent, Dennis Hof, has signed the Taxpayer Protection Pledge and will keep his word to the voters he represents. This choice is a no-brainer.”
What They’re Saying: James Smack, former Nevada Republican National Committeeman
“As the former Republican National Committeeman for Nevada, I am pleased and honored to endorse the only true conservative in the race for Assembly District 36. That person is Dennis Hof. Assembly District 36 is blessed to have a businessman and community leader like Dennis Hof willing to stand up, self-fund his own campaign, and go up against one of the poster boys for all the special interest groups in Nevada. I trust Dennis Hof to hold the line on taxes and regulations, and be the kind of leader we need in Carson City. I wholeheartedly support Dennis Hof for the State Assembly.”