Brian Lee

Please share briefly what inspired you to run for this office and why you feel you’re qualified for the position.

After a series of meetings with my friends and neighbors in Assembly District 27, I decided that my history as an Education Champion, Progressive Leader, and Civil Rights Advocate, has prepared me to tackle the issues facing my district: a lack of affordable housing, the need for additional education resources, and access to high-quality employment. Please visit BrianLeeNV.com for detailed statements on these issues and more.

Would you support allocating more state funds to help DACA recipients to help with higher education?

I will sponsor or cosponsor legislation that would allow DACA recipients who graduate from Nevada high schools receive any and all funding support which are available to any other Nevada high school graduate.

How will the state fight the growing issue of homelessness that is increasing in our communities and use funds to expand on shelters for these community members?

Because I view housing as a human right, I support an additional $500 million in funds for affordable housing throughout the state. I would also support an additional $100 million in funds for "housing first" programs which provide our unsheltered neighbors with housing and wrap-around supports. These programs have been used successfully in other states and cost less than more traditional housing programs.

Nevada has historically protected the right to abortion, including protecting the right in statute 30 years ago by a vote of the people. However, there remain barriers to access in the state. Do you support not only the right to abortion but policies that improve equitable access to abortion care?

I fully support a woman's right to comprehensive healthcare and the right to choose an abortion. I also support extending state Medicaid funding to abortion care.

The state of Nevada is facing an unprecedented shortage of health care providers – a problem that impacts every area of medicine, including the provision of sexual and reproductive care. Do you support removing the physician-only requirement and allowing advanced practice clinicians (APCs) to provide this vital care to patients with training and certification?

I do support allowing APCs to provide care to patients. Nevada's lack medical providers drives up healthcare costs for all Nevadans because needed preventative care is not accessible. Increasing the number of providers will drive down costs and lead to better health outcomes for all Nevadans.

It is well documented that patients of color face greater obstacles to obtaining sexual and reproductive health care than non-Hispanic white Americans – a pattern that results in worse health outcomes overall for BIPOC patients. Do you not only acknowledge systemic racism’s role in public health disparities but will you pursue policies that seek to rectify the historical harm of systemic racism and advance equitable access to health care?

Yes, our BIPOC neighbors have worse health outcomes across-the-board, less access to needed care, and are far more likely to be under- and uninsured. We are not doing enough to remedy this situation. I would support funding for additional community outreach via established and trusted community leaders in the BIPOC community to revamp our current public health system to remedy these issues.

Knowing that the death penalty is exorbitantly expensive, racially discriminatory, and does not promote true healing for victims family members, do you support its abolition and do you think ending the death penalty is a crucial part of criminal justice reform?

I previously worked at a Public Defender's Office and was able to witness the arbitrary and politically driven decision-making used to determine which offenders are sent to death and which are left to serve life in prison. I am also cognizant of the many ways that systematic racism exists in our legal system. Given this, I support ending the death penalty in Nevada.

True Colors United, a national organization that implements innovative solutions to youth homelessness that focus on the unique experiences of LGBTQ+ young people continues to rate Nevada as critically low, for its State Index on Youth Homelessness (in collaboration with the National Homelessness Law Center) that ranks and scores laws and policies related to preventing and addressing youth homelessness in the United States. Are you willing to support legislation that helps to fund and provide oversight regulations to youth homelessness services?

Yes. I would support funding additional resources to homeless youth services--using the housing-first model. I would also allow for additional funding--equal to foster care payments--to homeless youth and young people after they "age out" of the existing foster care system. Lastly, I would target funding to the homeless youth services which work with the LGBTQ+ community--as this community often has different needs than the traditional youth homeless population.

Anti-transgender bills are being introduced across the United States that attempt to prevent trans people from having access to health care, gender reassignment surgery, and access to sports in schools. Do you support transgender equality and access to healthcare and an athletic school experience?

Yes. Trans people should have equal access to the facilities and sports programs which match their gender identity. I would oppose any attempt to prevent trans people from having access to health care--including gender reassignment surgery--as these decisions are personal ones and should be made by the individuals themselves after conversations with their family, friends, and doctors.

We have seen rental rates increasing at a very alarming rate, in some instances upwards of 30%. How do you see the Nevada Legislature taking action to keep Nevadans in their homes and not being priced out?

I support an additional $500 million in affordable housing funding as well as an extension of programs aimed at protecting vulnerable individuals and allowing them to stay in their homes. I would also work with community partners to increase the number of homes and apartments by fast-tracking affordable developments through the planning processes.

Nevada has one of the largest shares of federal public land of any state in the country, providing important wildlife habitat, places to hunt, camp, fish and hike, and acting as the foundation of a billion dollar outdoor industry. Even so, some lawmakers have promoted policies that seek wholesale transfer of federal ownership of our national lands to states. A) Would you support or oppose these land transfer policies? B) Would should the State of Nevada’s role be in the management and ownership of federal land?

I only support land transfers from the federal government to the state as long such transfers are done after adequate environmental study and appropriate measures are taken to ensure that any development is sustainable. Important wildlife habitat and transfer corridors must be protected as greenbelts, as should all sites of historical or spiritual significance to Nevada's Native communities.

State investments in conservation provide resources for a wide range of public benefit, like the management of wildlife and state land, and the creation and maintenance of trails and other recreational facilities. In 2019, the Legislature approved $217 million of bonding authority for conservation purposes, including for the acquisition of land for new state parks. A) Do you support or oppose state investment in conservation? B) Has Nevada’s investment in land conservation been too little, too much, or about right, and how would you change it?

I support the state investment in conservation, but I feel that the current investment is too little. In many parts of our state, a significant industry is outdoor recreation--hiking, biking, and camping is a billion-dollar industry. This industry shoul

Would you support addressing public health disparities in Nevada’s diverse Spanish speaking population by funding a “Promotores de Salud” program through the Nevada Office of New Americans that provides year round, culturally competent education and community engagement in Spanish on public health issues?

Yes. Nevadans, whether they are seventh generation or new immigrants, need to be able to access the public health system in an accessible and culturally competent way. I would extend this program to all state and local government services.

What are you doing to center communities of color and low-income communities in your work, and how do you ensure that equity is part of every decision you make?

As a member of the BIPOC community who grew up the son of a waitress and an enlisted member of the Air Force, I know the issues which are faced by my community. In making decisions, I will remember my history and the strength of my community. I will also reach out to community leaders and groups to ensure that all of my work is centered in equity.

The APIA community faces the largest unmet financial needs when it comes to higher education. Nevada has the highest student loan default rate in the country. In Nevada, there are 333,100 student loan borrowers, $11.5 Billion in student loan debt, and $34,700 in average debt per borrower. What policies can we implement to ensure students and families are protected from predatory lenders and undue financial burdens?

First of all, I support full student loan forgiveness on the federal level. At the state level, I applaud the work of Attorney General Ford to combat predatory lenders. I would support additional student loan forgiveness at the state level for those in certain needed occupations, such as teachers and nurses. I would also support an Office of Consumer Services to assist those who need assistance with dealing with student loan providers.

Latinx communities are extremely concerned about the drought and ongoing water shortages. What would you do to ensure our families have a sustainable water supply, not just now but also future generations?

We have to realize that the long-term water shortages we are experiencing are a function of excessive demand rather than just inadequate supply. I would support common sense changes like removing ornamental grass and non-native landscaping, limiting inefficient uses of water for industrial purposes and reforming certain water rights programs to allow for residential use to be elevated in importance.

One out of seven people in Clark County are food insecure. What policies would you propose to ensure people are not residing in food deserts and have access to healthy food and water sources?

First, I would support a comprehensive study of our state to identify the existing food deserts. Second, I would support establishment of community supported agricultural coops and markets in the food deserts to provide immediate access to healthy food. I would also support the expansion of community and state support emergency food programs. Lastly, I would incentivize new food options to move into existing food deserts.