Cathleen Allison / AP
Nevada Assemblyman Ira Hansen, R-Sparks, speaks on the Assembly floor during the second day of a special session at the Nevada Legislature on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2014, in Carson City.
Saturday, Nov. 15, 2014 | 4:28 p.m.
Assembly Speaker-designate Ira Hansen said Saturday that he has yet to hear from Gov. Brian Sandoval about his agenda but that the GOP will focus on school choice, health care and collective bargaining.
Hansen met with his 24 fellow Republicans in a closed caucus, but they won't develop a specific program until they confer with the governor. Hansen said he has talked with Mike Willden, the governor's chief of staff, as well as Democratic and Republicans leaders for the legislative session that begins in February.
Hansen said all options will be explored before there is any discussion of new taxes. He acknowledged there won’t be enough revenue to support the $7.7 billion requested by state agencies.
On education, the Sparks lawmaker said there has been a lot of talk about reform but there haven't been evaluations. He said his research shows Nevada was spending $4,000 per student in 1983 and now spends $8,000.
He said the GOP caucus stands 100 percent behind Sandoval but that there may be differences once the governor unveils his spending and taxing plans. Hansen said he expects friction once the details are ironed out.
Sandoval has said he intends to make changes in the taxation system. Hansen said “taxation is the last line of defense,” meaning it will be the last thing considered. The governor said he has been meeting with legislative leadership to fashion his program, but Hansen isn’t one of them so far.
Hansen expects the GOP Assembly caucus to have another meeting in about 30 days, most likely in Las Vegas.
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