ASSEMBLYWOMAN LISA KRASNER

• Freshman Republican who replaces retiring three-term Republican Assemblyman Randy Kirner, who defeated her by just 11 votes in 2014.
• Represents District 26, which includes south Reno, the Washoe Valley and Incline Village.
• District 26 leans Republican (30 percent Democrat, 44 percent Republican and 19 percent nonpartisan in the 2016 election).
• In the Republican primary, staunchly anti-tax Krasner earned 55 percent of the vote to defeat moderate attorney Jason Guinasso.
• Krasner ran unopposed in the general election because no Democrats joined the race.
• Serving on Corrections, Parole, and Probation; Education; Judiciary; Natural Resources, Agriculture, and Mining committees in the 2017 session.

FAMILY AND EDUCATION:

Lisa Krasner was born in California in and is the daughter of an immigrant.  She completed a bachelor’s degree from the University of California, Los Angeles before earning a law degree from the University of LaVerne College of Law in Ontario, California. She’s married to Dr. Charles Krasner, an internist and infectious disease specialist who teaches at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine, and she has two boys. Her interests include reading.

CAREER:

Krasner is a political science instructor at Truckee Meadows Community College, where she teaches courses on the U.S. Constitution and the Nevada Constitution. In the past, she taught similar courses at the University of Phoenix. She previously served as a commissioner on the State of Nevada Commission on Aging and the Reno Parks and Recreation Commission, and she’s a trustee on the Reno Philharmonic board.

ON NEVADA AND THE ISSUES:

Does anything embarrass you about Nevada?

“Nevada is the ‘Land of Opportunity’ for people who are motivated and want to work hard to succeed. Nothing about Nevada embarrasses me. I am proud to live in Nevada; I love our state.”

What are your top priorities in the 2017 session?

“1. Job creation and economic diversity -- Continuing to make Nevada a state where businesses can thrive and create good paying jobs for Nevadans.
2. Limited government -- Government should be of the people, by the people, and for the people. Governmental power is restricted by the law, the Constitution, and the people. Fiscal responsibility -- Government spends within its means and is accountable to the people.
3. Education -- School reform and school choice, to improve education for all students K-12.”

Should we raise taxes, and under what circumstances?

“I do not support a tax hike this session. In the 2015 legislative session, the Nevada Legislature implemented the largest tax hike in Nevada history. We now need to effectively and efficiently spend these taxpayer dollars. We need to reduce waste, mismanagement and inefficient spending. We do not need to raise taxes.”

What might we cut in the budget?

“We need to cut programs where this is waste, mismanagement and inefficient spending.”

How do you plan to diversify Nevada’s economy and create more jobs?

“Nevada is moving quickly into the 21st century and we need to give motivated people the skills to be competitive in the workforce. Workforce development programs at the community college level and in trade schools will benefit both the students and the businesses that employ them.

What should we do next on solar?

“Let free market forces determine the future of solar energy policy in Nevada.”

What should Nevada’s next step be on the stalled Education Savings Account program?

“The Nevada State Supreme Court heard the case on Educational Savings Accounts, and affirmed that a broad-based educational choice program is constitutional. However, the funding mechanism needs to be modified.

What should Nevada’s minimum wage be?

“No change -- $7.25 and $8.25.”

Will you work across the aisle, and on what issues?

“Yes, I see myself working across party lines on any and all issues that are non-partisan and benefit all citizens who live in Nevada. I am happy to work across the aisle with other legislators who also care about the best interests of all Nevadans. Some examples are child advocacy and issues that relate to senior citizens and veterans.”