Senate 16 hopefuls agree on issues, differ on solutions

The two candidates for Nevada Senate District 16 pretty much agreed on the major issues facing Nevadans this year.

But Republican Lisa Krasner and Democrat Aaron Sims had some differences in what to do about those issues, including healthcare and affordable housing among others.

They sat down Tuesday at the Brewery Arts Center for a discussion hosted by the Northern Nevada League of Women Voters.

High-quality healthcare is especially problematic in rural Nevada where providers aren’t available in many cases.

“The only way we can increase access is making sure all Nevadans are insured,” said Sims. He added that expansion of health care must also include mental health providers.

Sims said the Nevada Health Exchange is one of the tools in place to get more people insured.

Krasner, who has been in the Assembly six years, said Nevada has a huge shortage of doctors, nurses and other providers. She said one thing that would greatly help is raising the Medicaid reimbursement rate that she said hasn’t been increased in nearly 20 years. She said nurses need more competitive pay rates and suggested the state might develop programs to support nursing education programs.

The two also disagreed on the subject of abortion with Sims saying abortion is a medical decision between a woman and her doctor. Krasner said that while personally she is pro-life — but supports exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother— Nevada voters have spoken and put what is essentially Roe vs. Wade into state law that could only be changed by another vote of the people. 

Both decried the lack of child care in Nevada, saying it is a huge problem for working-class mothers who must sometimes choose not to work because of the cost of child care. Krasner suggested the possibility of tax credits for those who want to open a child care facility. But she also said regulations should be examined to see if some of them can be eliminated or loosened so they aren’t such a burden.

Sims pointed out those regulations are designed to ensure protection for the children and workers in those facilities. He suggested looking at incentives to private providers working with the state to get more child care options.

Krasner said affordable housing has to include not only houses and apartments but condos and other types of living arrangements to accommodate people’s needs and budgets.

Sims said Northern Nevada is simply in a housing crisis now. He said all options have to be on the table and the answer has to be construction of “real affordable housing.”

Both said the economy is the greatest challenge for Nevadans right now. She said people are constantly telling her the cost of living is “going through the roof” and that the money they saved to retire on is disappearing. Sims said it’s a warning that Nevada needs to prepare better for the next time inflation hits. He said that means expanding revenue.

On climate change, they seemed to agree the ability of Nevada state and local governments to make an impact is limited.

The two are running for the south Reno, Carson City seat vacated by Ben Kieckhefer, who resigned when he was appointed to the Nevada Gaming Commission.