Sam Kumar

Name

Sam Kumar

Occupation

Enterprise Data and Analytics Manager

Political Office

Nevada State Assembly, District 25

Political Affiliation

Republican

How would you describe yourself to voters?

I have lived in Reno for 30 years, I am the former Chairman of the Republican Party, I have written over 100 columns for the Reno Gazette Journal as a guest columnist and I have been on TV programs about 40 times.

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

Schools - Funds should travel with the child and schools should stick to reading, writing and arithmetic and leave politics and sex education out.
Immigration must be legal, limited and merit-based
Balance the budget without tax and fee hikes

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

Abyssmal. The response was based on politics, not science. I addressed this issue in several of my RGJ columns, here's a link to one such column: https://samkumar.us/sisolak-shutdowns-are-destroying-nevadas-economy/

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?

I disagree with the premise of the question. It suggests that improving schools and other local programs can only happen with more money. Per pupil spending in our state has tripled (after factoring inflation) over the past five decades, yet the performance scores of our children haven't gone up. What we need is better use of the current tax dollars, not more tax dollars. Government needs to learn to live within its means instead of taxing Nevadans more.