Key differences emerge between candidates in Las Vegas Chamber mayoral debate

By Delen Goldberg

Wednesday, April 20, 2011 | 2:49 p.m.

Carolyn Goodman opposes binding arbitration in contract negotiations, while Chris Giunchigliani supports it.

Giunchigliani is against Las Vegas public workers switching to a 401(k)-style defined contribution retirement plan, while Goodman is open to it.

Goodman opposes project labor agreements. Giunchigliani supports them.

Those were the key differences that emerged between the mayoral candidates during a debate Wednesday hosted by the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce.

"If you make a change now to (the retirement) system and not have people paying in, you will destabilize it," Giunchigliani said, speaking against defined contribution retirement plans.

"If you have to resort to binding arbitration and there's no resolution, you haven't brought the right issues to the table," Goodman said.

Both candidates said they favor collective bargaining and both stressed transparency in government.

When asked about how they will create jobs in Las Vegas, Giunchigliani suggested creating a revolving loan program using redevelopment money and implementing a "one form, one fee" system for business licensing.

Goodman talked up the potential of a film industry in Las Vegas.

A few times throughout the debate, moderator Jon Ralston had to goad Goodman into answering questions specifically. She appeared slightly annoyed at having to explain herself further.

"That's the sign of a learning politician," Goodman said.

As she did in last weekend's NAACP debate, Goodman tried to differentiate herself from Giunchigliani by painting Giunchigliani, a Clark County commissioner, as a career politician and herself as a businesswoman.