Name: Steve Sisolak
Office: Clark County Commission, District A
Party Affiliation: Democratic
Website: www.stevesisolak.com
Biography provided by the candidate:
I am a successful businessman, long-time public servant and active member of the community. I was elected to the County Commission in 2008 and selected by my peers on the Commission to serve as Chairman in January 2013.
Focusing on infrastructure and sustainability, I serve on numerous regional committees, including; the Metropolitan Police Committee on Fiscal Affairs, the Southern Nevada Water Authority Board of Directors, the Clark County Water Reclamation District Board of Trustees, the Las Vegas Valley Water District Board of Directors, the Debt Management Commission, the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition, the Colorado River Commission, the Clark County Audit Committee.
My commitment to the people of Clark County extends well beyond Government, however. I am actively involved with many great community organizations, including the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, the UNLV Alumni Association, Seniors United, American Red Cross Leadership Council, Las Vegas Better Business Bureau, the Boys & Girls Club, Hispanics in Politics, and the Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth.
Prior to being elected to the County Commission, I served on the Nevada Board of Regents, overseeing the System of Higher Education, its $500 million budget and all of Nevada’s colleges and universities, whose total enrollment exceeds 100,000. While a member of the Board of Regents, I earned a reputation as a fiscal watchdog - and outspoken critic of the growing bureaucracy within the System.
I earned my Bachelor of Science in Business from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in 1974 and received my Master’s in Business Administration from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. I have two daughters, my oldest an attorney and my youngest a student at UNLV.
Question: The Regional Transportation Committee released a vision plan for transportation in Las Vegas that included many ways to address the growing city with 40 million annual visitors, one of those included an ambitious plan for light rail. If you could sign the paper that started immediate work on a new transportation project right now, what would that project be and why?
The residents come first for me. We have already begun to implement a robust transportation plan that will ease traffic flow for locals on nearly every major thoroughfare in Clark County.
As it relates to the tourist corridor, increasing capacity for vehicular traffic from the airport through the corridor is of paramount concern, as is increased mass transit on the Strip. Light rail could be a potential solution long-term, however currently there is no funding source for such a project.
Question: What needs to be done to help the city’s downtown thrive?
The City of Las Vegas, through its Redevelopment Agency, works hand-in-hand with Clark County to promote and facilitate the relocation of quality, sustainable enterprises to our downtown. Cutting red tape and eliminating bureaucratic delays for Small Business has been a hallmark of my service.
Moreover, recruiting and retaining sustainable, well-paying companies increases residential demand, the final ingredient for successful redevelopment.
Question: As the city sees its first professional sports franchise with an NHL team, and possibly others in the future – should Metro get the funds to beef up its force now in preparation for those events? If so, where should that money come from?
My highest priority as a public official has always been public safety. As a member of the Metro Police Fiscal Affairs Committee, I am keenly aware of the need for additional officers to account for the impact of professional sports and other large-scale events of similar magnitude.
Discussions are ongoing as to the funding source. All the key stakeholders are in complete agreement with Sheriff Lombardo - any potential NFL stadium deal MUST include a component for hiring additional officers to ensure the safety of residents and visitors alike.
(Editor's note: The candidate's biography and answers were not edited for content or length)