Three GOP assemblymen in Northern Nevada file for re-election

By Cy Ryan

Monday, March 7, 2016 | 2:43 p.m.

CARSON CITY — Three Northern Nevada Republican assemblymen who filed for re-election today see education and community colleges as a major issue in the 2017 Legislature.

Assemblyman John Ellison of Elko is seeking his fourth term, while Phillip “P.K.” O’Neill of Carson City and James Wheeler of Minden are going after a second term.

The GOP held a 25-17 majority over Democrats in the Assembly in 2015, but political strategists suggest Democrats may gain control in 2017.

But Ellison, O’Neill and Wheeler appear to be safe in GOP districts.

Wheeler said issues in the Legislature will include credits for solar energy customers, “a lot of tax fights” on how to pay for Medicaid and assessing the progress of public schools after millions of additional dollars were poured into the K-12 system. O’Neill said schools must be held accountable.

O’Neill said he doesn’t see a need for any new taxes after the 2015 Legislature approved an increase of $1.3 billion over a two-year period.

Ellison said the Legislature must pay attention to community colleges, which have lost funding in a shift of money to state universities.

In addition, Ellison said, there must be a “formula change” to help retain Highway Patrol officers. “We’re losing them left and right,” he said.

Wheeler, meanwhile, said he expects some changes in the collective bargaining law, depending on which party controls the Assembly. He said he would run for a leadership position if the GOP controls the lower house.

O’Neill said he wants “to hold the line” on taxes.

Al Kramer, who retired recently as a deputy in the Nevada Treasurer’s Office and has filed as a GOP candidate to challenge O’Neill, said he wants to see Nevada become “more business friendly” but not by giving big tax breaks.

Kramer also wants to put more money in the community college system to replace funds lost in recent years.