(From yesterday’s Silver State Confidential) – OK, I haven’t looked deeply into the specifics and history of this protection clause the mining industry in Nevada enjoys thanks to a provision in the state constitution, but I’m starting to do my research and due diligence on the issue and will be sharing what I learn with you here.
In the meantime, this really isn’t a tough issue for conservatives…
The bottom line is that there’s some provision in the constitution which protects the mining industry from certain forms of taxation. Liberals (and some misguided Republicans) want to remove that protection from the industry.
Why? So they can tax the tar out of them, that’s why!
This issue has absolutely, positively NOTHING to do with fairness and everything to do with finding yet another way to suck money out of the private sector and spend it on more government. Period.
In fact, that’s EXACTLY what Sen. “Moderate Mike” Roberson has already proposed. A $600 million tax increase on mining if the industry’s protection is stripped away. And believe you me, that’ll only be the opening gambit. Once mining is laid bare, legislative efforts to rape and pillage the industry will be relentless and non-stop!
Allow me to now point out the obvious conservative position on this issue…
We shouldn’t be trying to remove the constitutional protections mining has from being robbed by never-satisfied legislators.
Instead, conservatives should be trying to afford similar constitutional protections for the rest of Nevada’s industries!
Now THAT’S my idea of “fairness.”
You’re So Vain, You Probably Think this Item’s About You
Ah, how to win friends and influence people.
While watching on TV an Assembly hearing on the mining bill yesterday, and “angered” Sen. “Moderate Mike” Roberson got his panties in a wad over the testimony of supporters of the mining industry.
So the MINORITY Leader stormed out of his office and “strode into the hearing room” – perhaps like he was walking onto a yacht? – and lectured the gathered Assembly members to be “smart” and not listen to the highly-respected and well-regarded industry advocates who Roberson essentially called liars.
Reportedly after leaving the hearing room, Moderate Mike wasn’t sure if he should go to the bathroom or go back to his office, so he called Monte Miller from his cell phone and asked him what he should do.
And the beat goes on…
