Legislative Watch

Mike McGinness

District: Central Nevada Senatorial District
Political Party: Republican
Current Job/Position: Manager, Radio Station KVLV AM-FM
Born: 1947
Hometown: Fallon, NV
Family: Wife, Dee, three kids, Ryan, Brett, Shannon.
Education: University of Nevada, Reno, B.A.
Interviewed By: Lea Moser
Interview Date: 4/27/2008

Mike McGinness has been in the Nevada Legislature 24 years. He has been an Assembly member as well as a Senator for the state. He represents the Central Nevada Senatorial district, including Churchill, Esmeralda and Mineral Counties, and portions of Clark, Douglas, Lyon, and Nye counties. McGinness also served in the Nevada Air National Guard for six years.

Q & A

Q - How did you get to where you are?
“From hard work and dedication. I do what I say I will.”

Q - What other jobs did you have leading up to this one?
“Politically, I have been the chair of Republican Party in Churchill. Educationally, I was on the school board, and I was a Spanish teacher. I have also been a DJ, a sports broadcaster, station manager, I can use a vacuum. I also run a radio station.”

Q - How did you get into running a radio station?
“I married the boss’s daughter. I grew up in Fallon and dated my wife, Dee, in high school, and her dad has been supportive and gave chance me the chance to run it.”

Q - Did you always want to be doing what you are doing now?
“No, actually. It’s something that just happened.”

Q - What are your goals for your regular career or personally?
“To keep the radio station operating. As well, my term limits are here, so I will not be in Legislature again. I think I may go back to the school board.”

Q - What are your thoughts on term limits?
“I don’t agree with term limits. It diminishes any clout Northern Nevada has. Clark County just doesn’t understand the rural areas.”

Q - What are your hobbies or interests?
“I like to camp, hunt, fish. My family and I go to the Oregon coast. It’s nice to get everyone together.”

Q - What unusual event have you been involved in, or unusual or memorable people have you met?
“I’ve met Dan Quayle, President Jimmy Carter. One interesting place I’ve been is Turkey, 1979. It’s something that is one of the most amazing things of my life, still.”

Q - How did you become successful at what you do?
“Hard work and doing what you promise you will.”

Q - What are your favorite causes?
“My family, as well as rural Nevada.”

Q - Who or what are your inspirations?
“My parents, both are hard workers. My in-laws as well, who have been supportive of me. My wife’s father, he is very knowledgeable. He didn’t have more than an eighth-grade reading level, but he continued to read and to teach himself.”

Q - What are your legislative goals next session?
“I am the chairman of taxation, so I want to run a fair committee and get all the work done in the 120 days given. I always give a bill a hearing. I try and do my job.”

Q - What issues facing Nevada do you think are most important?
“The budget and putting it together, and the economy. You can’t tax your way out of a stagnant economy.”

Q - How do you view the slim Republican majority in the Senate?
“Nervously. Only a few seats are vulnerable, but even those few seats would be a major loss. We want to work hard and try and maintain majority.”

Q - How do you view the large Democratic majority in the Assembly?
“It should be close. Republicans can’t take the majority, but two or three seats can certainly be called a victory.”

Q - On what issue will you not budge?
“New taxes on businesses or individuals because of the economy. Like I said we can’t tax our way out if there is no money.”

Did you Know?

- Mike McGinness is a fourth generation Nevadan, born and raised all his life in Fallon.

- Mike McGinness is also a member of the Judiciary Committee, vice chairman of the Natural Resources Committee and the chairman of the Taxation Committee.

Sources:

http://www.leg.state.nv.us/73rd/Legislators/Senators/McGinness.cfm

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