Rory Reid speaks at real estate lecture

October 1, 2009 by Victoria Gonzalez 

Gubernatorial candidate addresses problems facing Clark County in Boyd Law lecture

Chairman of the Clark County Commission Rory Reid paid a visit to the UNLV William S. Boyd School of Law Sept. 28, hoping to boost his bid for the Governor’s seat.

Reid spoke to a luncheon of Real Estate Law Society members on the issues and positions he stands for and what he would do if he were elected Nevada’s governor.

“It’s hard to achieve a goal if you never set it. That is the first thing I will do [if elected] – make a plan,” Reid said in his 20-minute speech to group members.

Reid said he made the decision to be in local government because it is closer to the people.

Reid reflected on his concern for targeting solutions to Clark County’s budget problems. He explained that the struggle for fiscal stability has led him to spend much of his time fighting his opponent, Gov. Jim Gibbons, over Gibbons’ recommended cuts. “We’ve got problems, but this is a great state,” he said. “We’ve overcome problems and we will get over this too.”

The problems that face Clark County and could prove to become roadblocks on a path to success include sales taxes, energy, stimulus money, illegal immigration and the real estate market, Reid said.

“Foreclosures are a big problem and [the housing situation] is just unacceptable,” he said.
Reid pointed out that a short-term solution to the real estate problem is to use the local stimulus money to address any major issues.

A long-term solution, he said, would be to work with the federal stimulus to get it fixed.
According to Reid, the state has done a terrible job in deciding what to do with the stimulus money. He said he believes it should be used primarily to address issues like the foreclosure crisis, renewable energy and creating jobs. “If we focus on renewable energy, Nevada will become the top exporter of energy and provide jobs,” he said.

Reid said he feels that energy alone will be the one thing that will improve Nevada’s economy and that existing energy technology needs to be further developed.

“We already have the resources like the sun and wind, we just need to develop [our natural energy resources]. I am absolutely for [building them],” Reid said.

The hopeful candidate answered audience members questions for a short period.

Regarding illlegal immigration as a federal problem the national government must address, Reid said that there have been a lot of historical issues raised during the past few weeks and months that, he said, no one wants to deal with.

Reid said that Nevada has one of the highest sales tax rates in the country, yet ranks lowest in sales revenue. “Nevada hasn’t learned from experience,” he said.

Reid expressed the importance of creating a vision for the future of the state and his message was well received.

William S. Boyd School of Law student Ebru Cetin attended the meeting where Reid spoke.
“I think that he [gave] a great speech,” Cetin siad. “We need a governor like him.”

Many audience members said they agreed with Reid’s views and find his political take on the Nevada’s problems important.

“I’m glad to see a politician concerned with more than just sounding good,” said audience member John Hudson.

Reid made a final plea to group, asking for support by asserting that his resources could help bring popularity to some of his key issues. “Nevada has all kinds of problems and we need to communicate,” he said. “I’m going to work harder than anyone, but I need your help.”