Blayne Osborn
Name
Blayne Osborn
Occupation
Hospital Administration
Political Office
Nevada State Assembly District 39
Political Affiliation
Republican
How would you describe yourself to voters?
I'm a conservative Republican born and raised in Douglas County. I have a lot of experience as staff in the Nevada Legislature and am ready to go to work from day one. I've worked for the National Rifle Association, and I've served on the Douglas County Airport Advisory Committee. I'm a graduate of the University of Nevada, Reno and of the Leadership Douglas County program. I am not running for office to find a new career. I have a career working for our rural hospitals that I love. I want to serve in this role to fix the problems in our state and am ready to serve with reverence and respect. I love our community and want to keep it as the same great place that we all know and love. I respectfully ask for your vote in this upcoming election. Learn more about me at www.blayneosborn.com.
What do you see as the top issues in this campaign?
The COVID response as a state in two ways; the federal spending of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars and the healthcare system in Nevada. The spending of federal dollars needs to be limited to onetime projects and not ongoing programs that will require tax hikes in the future. The healthcare system in Nevada needs to be revamped to bring in more healthcare providers of all kinds, doctors, nurses, physician assistants, psychologists, social workers, etc. Barriers to licensure need to be reformed so the workforce shortages can be solved and wait times to see a specialist can be reduced. We must limit the Governor's emergency authorities to include mandatory checks and balances from the Legislature.
In your opinion, how would you rate the state’s response to the pandemic? Why?
Although Nevadans have responded well in getting the State re-opened, the State's response to the pandemic was poor. Supply stockpiles were badly neglected, and the emergency response infrastructure was unprepared. In my opinion, the Governor's emergency orders were often done politically and not based in reputable science. The Governor should never have shut down businesses and doing so made no significant difference in virus transmission when compared to other states. The mask and vaccine mandates contributed to workforce shortages at all levels and the Governor should never interfere in the practice of medicine between doctor and patient. All of these areas need significant review and reform by the Legislature.
Education and local government officials have long asked lawmakers to change the way the state assesses property taxes. That includes raising the current tax threshold. Should lawmakers consider raising those thresholds? If not, what is the best way for governments to raise money for local programs?
No, the current property tax caps should not be raised. There are proposals such as "reset upon sale" that could be considered but at this time as Nevadans are recovering from the pandemic and experiencing record high inflation and stagnate income growth, now is not the time to raise this or any tax. In my opinion, the only good tax policy is for it to be limited, equitable, and broad-based without singling out one industry over another and without punishing employment, productivity, and success. I reject the premise that we simply need more revenue and believe we can make drastic improvements in education with the right reforms by focusing on students, parents, and teachers.