Dave Cook, Candidate for Nevada Assembly District 40

Hi…I’m Dave Cook….
Candidate for Nevada Assembly, district 40 (Carson
City, and south Washoe County), democrat, age 64.

I am a fourth generation Nevadan. I have lived in Carson City for thirty-five years, where I raised my two daughters. Both are now college graduates.

I'm a retired emeritus awarded college professor of business and
economics from Western Nevada College, where I taught for almost
thirty years here in Carson City.

I graduated from UNLV with bachelor degrees in Accounting and Political Science, and an MBA in Business and Economics.

I'm also a Nevada licensed high school math teacher and I've
specialized in working with at-risk math students at Nevada state
chartered high schools, and post-secondary private vocational
schools.

I have been in almost continuous public service in Carson City since 1988.

I was most recently elected for a third term to the State Board of
Education in 2012 representing the all the area within
Congressional District #2 (Education District #2). At the Governor’s and Legislature’s request, our board has been building one of the most effective education accountability systems in the nation. It will soon go into implementation state-wide.

Also, I currently serve on the "Private Post-Secondary Education
Commission" (as the Governor's appointee) which regulates private
vocational schools. This work is in addition to my duties as a currently
elected member of the Nevada State Board of Education, district 2.

Previously, I was elected for a second term to the State Board of
Education in 2008 representing Carson City, Douglas County, and
South and East Washoe County.

And, I served our city’s government on the Carson City Charter Review Committee for a few years in the early 2000's.

Farther back, I was first elected to public office in 1988 as a member
of the Carson City School District Board of Trustees. I served there for
eight years, including as its president in 1993. In 1996, I was elected
to the Nevada State Board of Education where I served for four years.

MY ISSUES:

There are some who want to impose a gross revenues tax on ALL
businesses throughout Nevada. I OPPOSE ANY SUCH TAX structured like the "Margins Tax Initiative". This kind of tax will only hurt small businesses, cost Nevada workers even more in lost jobs, and raise our prices.

What it's really all about is improving and enhancing the quality of life here in our own community.

So…We still need to provide some other effective funding for 1) Public Schools for capital needs and technological enhancements, 2) Community Colleges for new vocational programs...such as in the growing medical technologies area, 3) Enhanced Senior Citizen Services, 4) Public safety, Fire safety, and Emergency response services, 5) Community events, cultural and arts events, adult and youth recreation.

We will need a new view of our current tax structures. Our needs for municipal services and education funding are very real.

I advocate a 'Gross Earnings" (EBITDA in accounting terms) tax on interstate merchandising chain-stores which come under the regulatory provisions of the federal "Robinson-Patman" anti-price discrimination act of 1936.

All interstate merchandising chain-stores prices are controlled
across state lines by "Robinson-Patman". That means the price
of any item such as a particular model ball-point pen is the
same price charged to customers shopping in Nevada as well as those shopping in California stores.

However, California has 8.84% corporate income tax starting
at the first dollar earned. Actually, almost all states (excluding
Nevada and a few others) have corporate income taxes. But, Nevada customers always pay the same exact prices, even though Nevada does not charge any corporate income tax.

If a 5% Gross Earning Tax on large chain stores was applied and stayed within the county where it was earned, then it could mean possibly as much as a couple million for Carson City to split between schools and municipal government's needs. The revenue provided for Washoe County's needs would be several times larger.

This may not be a perfect tax plan, but it's a start in the right direction. And, it will definitely not affect any small independent businesses or franchisees, and any service providers. This tax burden falls only on the shoulders of all the large interstate merchandising chain-stores. And these stores can NOT raise their prices exclusively in their Nevada stores, by federal law.

OTHER ISSUES...
There are a lot of other economic development issues to be discussed.
Let's Talk!!!
Contact me at:
www,DaveCook4NV.com
DaveCook4NV@hotmail.com