Nevada Assembly District 36 candidates Ed Goedhart and Laurayne Murray attempted to woo Pahrump Valley Chamber of Commerce members during the monthly chamber luncheon at Terrible's Lakeside Casino Monday.

Goedhart, the Republican, and Murray, the Democrat, answered five questions prepared by the chamber. The public was allowed to ask more questions. Some of the basic differences between the two major political parties were evident in their answers.

Independent American Party candidate Dave Holmgren, from the Mineral County community of Luning, didn't appear, but submitted a written statement.

"Government suppresses business through statutes, rules and regulations," Holmgren said in a one paragraph statement. "Please understand you cannot look to government for help. You cannot afford them."

When it came to economic development, Goedhart, the manager of the Ponderosa Dairy, was focused on water.

"If we don't manage this resource, Pat Mulroy and the Las Vegas Water Authority will," Goedhart said.

He also spoke about a need to transfer more public land to private ownership.

State law requires 20 percent of Nevada's energy to be renewable energy by 2015, Goedhart said. "Some of these economic development projects should be brought to the rurals as well," he said.

Murray said tax deferments are a way to help economic development. She said the Pahrump Town Advisory Board is looking at ways to land light industry. The state needs to look at how impact fees are applied, she said, the subject of a bill draft request before the upcoming state legislative session.

"Small businesses are the backbone of Nevada," she said. "It's always necessary to be looking for ways to make them prosper."

The state legislature needs to maintain the property tax cap of $3.64 per $100 of valuation, Murray said. There should be ways to give tax credits to small businesses working with government, she said.

"In the 2003 legislative session, the Democrats pushed through the largest tax increase in Nevada history. Some of these taxes were aimed at businesses," Goedhart said in one of the few blatantly partisan attacks. "Guess who ends up paying these taxes? You and I do."

Higher taxes also affect job growth, he said.

"The state government needs to live within its means," Goedhart said, adding that he signed a pledge not to vote for a tax increase.

When it came to education, Goedhart said the state has a tremendous number of dedicated teachers. But he said the state could increase technical and vocational training.

"Our educational system operates as a monopolistic community service," Goedhart said. He advocated charter schools and education vouchers, which students can use wherever they live.

"When schools compete for the ability to educate our children, we all win," Goedhart said.

Murray said the public has to have accountability in the educational system. She said a pending bill draft request would increase funding for career and technical education.

Murray said the Nye County School District has the ability to partner with Great Basin College on job training programs. She suggested businesses that provide career programs for the schools should receive tax abatements.

But when it comes to state education programs, Murray suggested, "Bring money to the local community and let the local community design the program that best services its students."

When the question arose about the top two important issues at the state level, Murray picked health care. She said rural Nevada residents need better response times in medical emergencies, lower drug prices, better mental health facilities and the willingness to combat issues like senior abuse.

Goedhart said in his travels around the district from Fish Lake Valley to Caliente, "I've heard one concern, and that is a concern over water."

He said the state has a choice: to keep taxes and regulatory fees in check or let the state keep putting their hands in voters' pockets.

On the question of how to help businesses deal with health care costs, Goedhart urged tort reform, putting a cap on court settlements for pain and suffering.

"We should be able to buy medicine wherever it is affordable," Goedhart said regarding prescriptions. He added, "We need to start in our schools, to require P.E. (Physical Education) classes on a daily basis."

The state could spend tobacco settlement money to discourage smoking, he said, "taking that money to what it was actually intended for."

Murray said there's a bill draft request pending to help small businesses provide health care using untapped funds. Previous legislation was watered down due to President Bush's budget cuts, she said.

Audience member Bernie Cusimano asked about building a nuclear power plant in Southern Nevada.

"Right now it's not in the plan for the power companies, so it's something we'll have to talk with them," Murray said. She added that wind power has turned out to be more expensive than originally thought.

Goedhart, a firm opponent of the Yucca Mountain nuclear repository as it's now structured, said he differs from the Republican administration on this issue. "Nuclear power is fine where it's at. I don't think we have to bear the burden for the rest of the country," Goedhart said. He said most solar energy technology is currently being exported to Europe.

Murray spoke about allowing businesses to purchase health insurance through a group rate.

When asked about mental health facilities, Goedhart said, "Not every person who's on the street needs to be brought to a mental facility." He said Gov. Kenny Guinn recently attended the inauguration of a mental hospital in Las Vegas. "We should not rule out the charitable organizations' role in society," Goedhart said.

Murray said building facilities for mental health patients would free up space for regular hospital patients.

Both spoke in favor of Job Connect, in response to a question by Victoria Balint.

"Having a central office in Las Vegas doesn't serve what we need. They're way too big to think of the rurals," Murray said.

"Last year we ran a pretty good surplus. Those are one of the programs that bore good results," Goedhart said. "It's one of those rare programs that pays for itself."