Rhonda Knightly

Name

Rhonda Knightly

Occupation

Public Safety Administrative Officer

Political Office

NV State Assembly District 29 candidate

Political Affiliation

Republican

How would you describe yourself to voters?

I’m a 30 yr Nevadan, a fiscally responsible career-driven mother of six adult children, with work experience in accounting, analysis and supervision within a law enforcement agency, who is passionate about quality education, safe communities, and a stable diverse economy.

What do you see as the top issues in this campaign?

Fixing what’s broke! Education, Public Safety, diversifying our Nevada economy, and healthcare are the top issues in this campaign but every two years we keep talking/hearing about the same things. Can we please send legislators who are willing to fix the issues so we can stop talking about these every election cycle?!

In your opinion, how would you rate the state’s response to the pandemic? Why?

Since when California sneezes Nevada catches a cold, the initial response of shutting down to limit contact opportunities to flatten the curve and to stabilize our hospitals was likely prudent; however remaining shutdown, restricting businesses & workers, stopping tourism, delaying unemployment payments, and continuing mandates with arbitrary deadlines went too far. Examples include missed quality in-school learning for our children, many of us missed once in a lifetime events, holidays, weddings, and funerals with family and friends; and lonely isolating homes & facilities for our elderly, workers at home and our youth with “necessary worker” parents.

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?

Being fiscally conservative and a proponent of zer-based budgeting, I do not believe that the current tax threshold should be raised. If this is a majority concern then it should be put on the ballot and voted on by those being taxed. And in keeping government as small as is sustainable, responsive and safe, additional local programs should be privatized where possible, funded by not-for-profits, and/or participant funded (with grant scholarships for the underprivileged).