Dear Sisters and Brothers,
The election is just around the corner – November 4, 2014 is Election Day with early voting available from October 18 – October 31. We’ve enclosed the Culinary Union’s recommendations for the general election.
We select endorsements with the well-being of Union members and the future of the labor movement in mind.
For our recommendations for statewide office, Congress, State Legislature, and County Commission, we review the voting records of current elected officials and the opinions and philosophies of new and old candidates. We all know that politicians will often say anything to get elected, so we review candidates’ records and look for people who put their words into action.
For our recommendations in the judicial races, we consult with attorneys who represent Union members and the Culinary in court. We also ask all political candidates to fill out a questionnaire with their information and views. We rely on first-hand reports of how these candidates have treated Union members in legal cases they have had in Nevada’s court system.
Finally, there are three ballot questions. Below is the explanation for the Union’s position on each one.
Nevada’s general elections are “open” so you can vote for any candidate, regardless of your party registration (Democratic / Republican / Independent).
We encourage members of the Culinary and Bartenders Unions to exercise their right to vote (and vote early!) by participating in the upcoming election. Now is our time to let politicians know we are engaged and active.
You can vote early at the Las Vegas Strip location (behind the Mirage) or go here for other locations: http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/depts/election/Documents/2014/EVSched_14G.pdf
To find your polling place go to: http://www.clarkcountynv.gov/Depts/election/Pages/default.aspx
If you have questions about our recommended candidates or the election process, please feel free to call the Union’s Political Office: (702) 386-5279.
Fraternally,
Geo
Ted
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CONGRESS
CD1 – Dina Titus
CD3 – Erin Bilbray
CD4 – Steven Horsford
GOVERNOR
Brian Sandoval
LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR
Lucy Flores
SECRETARY OF STATE
Kate Marshall
STATE TREASURER
Kim Wallin
STATE CONTROLLER
Andrew Martin
ATTORNEY GENERAL
Ross Miller
STATE SENATE
District 2 – Mo Denis
District 8 – Marilyn Dondero Loop
District 9 – Justin Jones
District 10 – Ruben Kihuen
District 20 – Teresa Lowry
District 21 – Mark Manendo
STATE ASSEMBLY
District 1 – Marilyn Kirkpatrick
District 3 – Nelson Araujo
District 4 – Jeff Hinton
District 5 – Jerri Strasser
District 7 – Dina Neal
District 8 – Jason Frierson
District 9 – Steve Yeager
District 10 – Jesse “Jake” Holder
District12 – James Ohrenschall
District 13 – Christine Kramer
District 14 – Maggie Carlton
District 15 – Elliot Anderson
District 17 – Tyrone Thompson
District 18 – Richard Carrillo
District 19 – James Zygaldo
District 20 – Ellen Spiegel
District 21 – Andy Eisen
District29 – Lesley Cohen
District 34 – Meghan Smith
District 35 – James Healey
District 37 – Gerald Mackin
District 41 – Paul Aizley
District 42 – Irene Bustamante-Adams
COUNTY COMMISSION
District E – Chris Giunchigliani
District F – NO ENDORSEMENT
District G – Mary Beth Scow
DISTRICT ATTORNEY
Steve Wolfson
DISTRICT COURT JUDGE
Department 2 – John Watkins
Department 3 – Douglas Herndon
Department 4 – Kerry Louise Earley
Department 5 – Carolyn Ellsworth
Department 8 – Doug Smith
Department 14 – Adriana Escobar
Department 19 – William “Bill” Kephart OR Cliff Marcek
Department 20 – Jerry Tao
Department 22 – Susan Johnson
Department 23 – Stefany Miley
Department 24 – Jim Crockett
Department 25 – Kathleen Delaney
Department 28 – Ron Israel
Department 30 – Jeffrey Rugg
Department 32 – Rob Bare
DISTRICT COURT JUDGE – FAMILY DIVISION
Department B – Linda Marquis
Department C – John Hall “Jack” Howard Jr.
Department D – Robert W. “Bob” Teuton
Department F – William “Bill” Gonzalez
Department H – Art Richie
Department I – Cheryl Moss
Department J – Rena Hughes
Department L – Jennifer Elliott
Department M – William Potter
Department N – Monti Jordana Levy
Department P – Nathan Gibbs
Department S – Vincent Ochoa
Department T – Lisa Brown
UNIVERSITY REGENT
District 2 – Trevor Hayes
District 3 – Kevin Page
District 5 – Sam Lieberman
SHERIFF
Larry Burns
JUSTICE OF THE PEACE
Diana Sullivan
INITIATIVE QUESTIONS
Question 1, Appellate Court – Yes
Question 2, Mining tax – Yes
Question 3, Margins tax – No
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Explanation of Ballot Question Support and/or Opposition
Question 1, Appeals Court - YES
We support the creation of an Appellate Court in Nevada. Ten states do not have a Court of Appeals, and Nevada is the largest among them. Additionally, Nevada’s Supreme Court has the highest per-justice caseload in the country with a backlog of thousands of cases – and growing.
The new Court of Appeals would operate in existing space at the Regional Justice Center in Las Vegas and the Supreme Court Building in Carson City.
All Nevadans deserve timely resolution of their legal disputes, and a Court of Appeals will help make that happen. Justice delayed is justice denied.
Question 2, Mining Tax - YES
We support the mining tax. Currently, the mining industry enjoys a 150 year-old tax protection in the state constitution.
Passage of Question 2 would allow the Legislature to remove those protections and update the mining tax system to reflect modern times. This won’t lower or raise the taxes mining currently pays, rather it will allow for changes that would benefit the entire state.
Question 3, Margins Tax - NO
We oppose the margins tax because it is a tax on revenues, not profits, and will significantly reduce the amount of money employers have available for employee wages and benefits and for capital investment to expand and maintain resort properties.
However, the union sees funding for education as one of the top priorities for the state. We will work with the legislature to support broad based equitable and stable revenues to fund K-12 education in the 2015 session.