Depends on Your Definition of “Essential”
“Of course, providing adequate services takes money and that money must come from taxation,” Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio (R-Reno) writes in a March 3 email to a constituent. “In my view, Nevada cannot drastically cut taxes and still remain economically competitive, particularly in these difficult times when public revenues may not even be adequate […]
We All Play Different Roles
“Richard Viguerie,” reports John Fund of Political Diary, “a direct mail expert who began his career after the Goldwater defeat of 1964, says Republicans have to understand the dual nature of a political opposition.”
There He Goes Again
Gov. Jim Gibbons was on the Heidi Harris talk show in Las Vegas this morning and continued to dissemble about the room tax hike. When asked if he was going to veto the teachers union’s proposal if it makes its way to his desk, the forked-tongue governor said, “It’s not my job to stand in […]
Welcome to Taxapalooza ’09
“Legislative Democrats are looking at a revenue-raising plan that spreads the pain across most of the state’s major tax sources,” reported Geoff Dornan, veteran capital reporter for the Nevada Appeal over the weekend, confirming rumors we reported here in News and Views a week ago.
Heidi and the Beanstalk
Las Vegas Sun reporter J. Patrick Coolican inked an opinion column yesterday which outlines the strategy and tactical advantages of the “no new taxes” position. GOP legislative leaders ought to read it. It’s not all that complicated of a concept, yet Republicans in Carson City seem completely unable to grasp it.
Before Stimulating New Jobs, First Do No Harm
National defense is not and should not be a “jobs program.” OK, with that out of the way, let’s talk about 95,000 national defense jobs.
A Divider, Not a Uniter
Republican Assemblyman Tom Grady appeared on Nevada Newsmakers Tuesday and was asked the following: Marlene Lockard: “How much controversy does (Chuck Muth) create within your caucus?” Grady: “A tremendous amount. I mean, fact is fact. He has some of the folks in the caucus that he is working with and it causes us some problems.”
Another “Ed Head” Is Born
In this week’s new guber-cast, Gov. Jim Gibbons declared, “I will not support use of any stimulus dollars to support new or expanded government programs that will require continued funding from the state.” Hmm. I wonder where I’ve heard that before? Oh, yeah, that’s right…
Yet Another “Extremist”
Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio (R-Reno) has taken to calling people who take a hard line against tax hikes “extremists.”
The Grady Bunch
Republican Assemblyman Tom Grady was interviewed on Nevada Newsmakers this week and was asked by host Sam Shad why he voted for the teachers union’s room tax hike. To which Mr. Grady responded that the governor’s proposed budget would result in the closure of three rural clinics in his district and so he voted for […]
Oh, No…There Goes Tokyo, Go-Goi-Coechea
Of all the lame excuses and spinning by the seven Republicans who voted for the third largest tax increase in history on Tuesday, the flapdoodle put out by Assemblyman Pete Goicoechea (pronounced goh-coh-cheeya) really takes the cake.
Masters of the Art of Political War
I still can’t believe I’m doing this. But fair is fair – and the only fair thing to do is give credit where credit is due. So today I’m gonna tip my hat to…the teachers union.
Drive-By Muthings on Another GOP Defeat
On the morning after getting royally screwed by some Assembly Republicans on the tax issue yet again, just some random rants today, folks. And for the record, when I say “Republicans” today, I’m not necessarily referring to all Republicans; just the bad ones. You know who they are. So do they.
“Maybe” Mabey II: Garn’s Revenge
OK, the first major test of Assembly Minority Leader Heidi Gansert’s leadership and fiscal conservative bona fides is now behind us.
Turning a Deaf Ear to Sound Advice
According to John Fund in today’s edition of Political Diary, Republican Gov. Rick Perry of Texas “remains skeptical and likely will turn down some federal money that might serve to start new programs that his state would have to pay for once the initial injection of federal funds runs out.”
Of Lawyers, By Lawyers, For Lawyers
Not only is moderate Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio bad on taxes and spending, he’s no real fan of representative democracy either – at least when it comes to allowing voters to choose their own judges.
Taxpayer Watchdogs
“Nine Assembly Republicans who oppose higher taxes have introduced a proposed constitutional amendment that would require two-thirds of Nevada voters to support a tax increase before it could take effect,” reports the Associated Press today.