During the just-concluded session of the Nevada Legislature, legislators – from both parties – argued in favor of extending a “temporary” tax hike for more cops that wasn’t due to expire for another two years.
The original tax hike in 1996 was approved by voters.
But legislators decided THEY knew better than the great unwashed who would have to pay the tax. So they themselves extended it rather than let taxpayers vote on it again.
At the time, former conservative Assemblywoman Annie Black argued that the money to pay cops could – and should – come from cutting existing non-essential government spending and shifting those funds over to the police.
Black went on to detail over $1.8 billion worth of spending that could be cut, scaled back, or delayed to pay for the cops.
But legislators refused to do the hard work of setting spending priorities. Instead, they took the typical easy way out and just nailed you with a tax hike. Yes, including most Republicans.
Reminding us once again that it’s not enough to simply elect more Republicans; we need to elect better ones, as well. That’s what primaries are for.
Which brings us to the Badlands.
For years, the city of Las Vegas dragged out a lawsuit over the shuttered golf course on the northwest side of town that it “took” without compensating the property owner.
Even after several losses in court, council members refused to settle the dispute with the developer.
Well, the city finally ran out of appeals – all of which they lost, as expected and predicted – and now it’s time to pay the piper. To the tune of $286 million.
But the city can’t raise taxes to pay for their incompetence. So instead, it’s now cutting or delaying various non-essential spending to cover its losses – EXACTLY what the Legislature should have done to cover the cost of cops on the street.
Politicians – including all too many Republicans – will always defer to jacking up your taxes rather than do the hard work of setting spending priorities.
Which is why it’s so important to get candidates to sign the Taxpayer Protection Pledge BEFORE they’re elected.
Otherwise, these modern-day snake oil salesmen will find all manner of excuses to justify breaking their verbal campaign promises which are backed up with nothing but hot air.
Republicans who refuse to sign the Tax Pledge are tax-hikers-in-waiting. Remember that when they start asking for your money and your vote this election season.
