Name: Ozzie Fumo
Office: State Assembly, District 21
On-Air Interview Summary:
Attorney Ozzie Fumo is running for Assembly District 21. He has been an attorney in Las Vegas for 20 years and reforming the Justice System is an issue he would like to focus on in the Legislature.
He said that most of the people who get caught up in the system are not bad people, but rather, people who have made mistakes because of alcohol, drugs or because they have a mental illness.
Fumo believes Nevada does not have enough resources for people who are mentally ill. He said after someone with a mental illness has been arrested there are very few places they can go for long-term help. He said families of people with mental illness are desperate for help.
As far taxes in the state, Fumo believes there are other revenue streams that could be looked at to help fill the state’s coffers to pay for mental health care and continued improvements to the education system besides payroll taxes on businesses.
Party Affiliation: Democratic
Website: www.ozziefumo.com
Biography provided by the candidate:
A first-generation American, I’ve lived in our community for over forty years. I am proud that I was raised here, went to school here, and have raised my family here.
I’m also proud to say I’m the son of a man who never crossed a picket line and my loyalties lie with those who do the work day in and day out to make Nevada one of the best places to live in the world.
I’m a small business owner, an attorney who maintains the highest rating in the field (“AV Distinguished” by Martindale-Hubbell) and have had my own firm downtown for twenty years.
My wife Ellen is a public employee. She and I have lived in our district for nearly twenty years and between us we have five children. Soon we will have grandchildren starting school here in Clark County. As you might imagine, this gives us a very personal stake in the future of our state.
I'm running because I believe in giving back and I believe in helping others. I believe in funding our public schools, bringing jobs back to Nevada, and protecting the rights of all Nevadans.
Question: In a 140 characters, introduce yourself as if you are introducing yourself to a neighbor.
I've been a small business owner for 20 years and I believe everyone should be treated fairly under the law. What issues matter most to you?
Question: Last legislative session, the major initiative was a tax increase to support education in the state. What should the major accomplishment of 2017 legislature be?
As I talk to voters in my district, the PUC's decision on rooftop solar comes up again and again. I believe it should be a legislative priority to find a solution to help homeowners and return jobs to the state.
Question: If recreational marijuana is legalized by voters in this state, do you want revenue from it to fund health initiatives, research and/or youth awareness campaigns?
Yes. If we are going to expand the marijuana industry in the state I definitely want to see some of the profits be invested back into our community whether that's into education, public health or both.
Question: Many elected officials in Clark County say they’d like to see the property tax cap changed – that its time because tax revenues aren’t meeting budgets. Is that an idea you want to see the legislature tackle?
The problem with changing the property tax cap to meet a budget today is that property taxes are a lagging revenue which doesn't provide immediate relief. I believe there are better avenues to look at if the goal is to meet budget shortfalls.
Question: Do you support the construction of a taxpayer-funded NFL stadium?
My initial reaction to this question is almost always that billionaires should pay for their own stadiums. However, in this case it's going to depend on how much taxpayer money is involved. I'm confident a stadium of that size will benefit our community so, as a member of the community (not to mention a football fan), an investment in our future makes sense. But the majority of the money for an NFL stadium should NOT come from taxpayers.
(Editor's note: The candidate's biography and answers were not edited for content or length)