Sandoval’s “Last Resort” Loophole

(Muth’s Truths) – GOP gubernatorial candidate Brian Sandoval is a VERY likeable person and may, indeed, be the Republican Party’s best chance to retain control of the governor’s office for the 2011 redistricting session of the Legislature. But when it comes to some basic public policy issues, the man is fuzzier than fuzzy math.

Worse, he sounds eerily like Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio on the issue of tax hikes.

As noted by CityLife editor Steve Sebelius this week, Sandoval, like Raggio, has thus far refused to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge promising the voters of Nevada that he would oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes. That’s what we call a “red flag.”

However, as Sebelius notes, Sandoval did say: “When we’re in the times that we’re in, businesses can’t afford to raise taxes. Right now, we can’t afford more taxes.”

Now, when Sen. Raggio said something very similar, it turned out to mean the time to talk about raising taxes wasn’t during the campaign season but after the election was over. And if you parse Sandoval’s words here – as indeed we must thanks to the Raggio experience and the candidate’s refusal to take the Pledge – the question is: If not “right now,” when?

Adding further suspicion to a tax cynic’s worry, Sandoval also said, “The bottom line for me is that taxes are typically a last resort.”

“Typically”?

And again, after safely defeating his conservative GOP challenger in last year’s primary, Sen. Raggio ALSO declared that raising taxes was a “last resort.” Then, just a few short months later, Sen. Raggio led his Senate colleagues in approving more than a BILLION DOLLARS worth of higher taxes.

Why, Sebelius asks, should Republican primary voters believe Sandoval when he sorta says he won’t raise taxes?

“My record,” Sandoval replied. “I’ve always kept my word.”

Sorry, Judge, that dog won’t hunt. We’ve heard similar “read my lips” guarantees from politicians who declared their word was their bond in the past – and even your verbal assurances on this issue, thus far, include loopholes to drive a billion dollar-plus tax hike through.

We want your assurance in writing – just like signing for your car loan and your mortgage.