Amodei, Marshall face off in second Nevada debate

RENO - Republican Mark Amodei and Democrat Kate Marshall chided each other on taxes, Medicare, jobs and foreign affairs during a sometimes feisty hour-long debate Monday in Reno.

While both candidates mainly stuck to their campaign talking points, Amodei said he would have voted against the Republican budget plan crafted by Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin because of cuts to Medicare reimbursements that he said would have hurt rural medical care.

Amodei earlier expressed support of the GOP proposal.

"I told you that I wanted a chance to read the Ryan budget," the former state senator and former chairman of the state GOP said when pressed by Jon Ralston, host of "Face to Face," a television news program. "Yes, I would have voted against it."

He said it was disingenuous to tell seniors they have a Medicare benefit if lower reimbursement rates force doctors to give up participating in the program.

The taped debate was to run in two segments Monday and Tuesday night on NBC affiliates statewide.

Medicare and issues affecting Nevada seniors are focal points for both campaigns in the race for Nevada's 2nd Congressional District seat. Independent American Party candidate Tim Fasano and independent Helmuth Lehmann will also be on the Sept. 13 ballot.

The winner will replace Republican Dean Heller, appointed to the Senate in May to fill the unexpired term of John Ensign, who resigned amid a sex and ethics scandal.

Marshall, current state treasurer, said she would oppose any Medicare benefit reductions, while Amodei said he would consider increasing the age limit for people 15 years or more away eligibility to ensure the program remains solvent.

"I think Mr. Amodei is trying to have it both ways," Marshall said. "The Ryan budget on Medicare effectively guts Medicare."

She proposed allowing the federal program to negotiate with pharmaceutical companies for lower drug prices and "close the insurance subsidization."

Marshall also criticized Amodei for his support in 2003 of a $1 billion tax package that included a payroll tax on businesses, a measure that was supported by every Democrat in Legislature that year. The bill passed the Senate 17-2, with one senator not voting and another absent; and 28-14 in the Assembly.

Marshall said she would have "absolutely" voted against it.

"You don't make a tax policy that basically harms employers every time they hire someone," she said.

Amodei defended his vote, noting that Nevada's economy at the time was booming, and because he said it was better than an alternative gross receipts tax proposed by some.

He voted for it, he said, "because I'm a solutions guy." He signed a no-tax pledge in 2009 when contemplating a run for the U.S. Senate, and reiterated his opposition to raising taxes by signing it again last week.

Both candidates were critical of President Barack Obama's handling of the country's role in Libya.

Amodei said Obama violated the War Powers Act by committing U.S. involvement in the conflict.

Marshall said the president didn't violate the law, but that "indecisiveness and delay" in the beginning prolonged the civil war and unrest.