(Chuck Muth) – On Thursday, Kyle E. N. George (I think the E.N. might stand for “Earns Nothing”), chairman of the Nevada Student Alliance, announced in an email that conservative freshman state Sen. Elizabeth Halseth (R-Las Vegas) had been selected to be the first “Legislator of the Week” who would be targeted by student activists protesting necessary budget cuts to the university system.
Mr. George is encouraging the tax-subsidized higher ed whiners to contact Sen. Halseth and “make three points to her.”
1) Since 2007, the Nevada System of Higher Education has absorbed cuts at a level that is disproportionately higher than other state agencies. A loss of $100 million in funding to just UNLV (since 2007) will significantly jeopardize our ability to fulfill our mission
2) Taxes that are sunsetting this year will create an additional hole of$640 million to our state budget (for a total shortfall of $1.1 billion). Will you (Senator Halseth) support the renewal of these sunsets to lessen the cuts to education?
3) Nevada has made cuts to its operating budget for the past 4 years. Will you (Senator Halseth) support revenue solutions to balance the state’s budget? (If no, let her know that as a voter and tax payer, you support revenue solutions)
Notice how even these people can’t quite bring themselves to call a spade a spade; referring to the tax hikes they pine for as “revenue solutions” instead. And the overspending deficit is around $600 million, not $1.1 billion. Sheesh. Can’t these students add and subtract? What’d they do…go to a public school?
In any event, Mr. George then instructs his whiny astro-turf army to “make two phone calls, and write one email to Senator Halseth,” adding that “If you live in Senator Halseth’s district, please make a point of telling her so.”
“After making the calls and emails,” Mr. George concludes, “please email me with when you called, and the outcome of any such called (spoke to her, she agrees… spoke to her, she disagrees… left message… etc.). Please make these calls whether or not you live in Senator Halseth’s district. We are attempting to put widespread pressure on her, and will need everyone’s participation to make this a success.”
These people may be trying to put “widespread pressure” on Sen. Halseth, but they clearly have no idea who they’re dealing with. In response to learning that she’s the #1 target in the liberals’ crosshairs this week, Halseth released the following statement:
I applaud Mr. George and his efforts to get citizens more actively involved in the legislative process; however, perhaps he should have done a little more homework before choosing me as his #1 target for lobbying pressure.
Had Mr. George researched my campaign from last year, he would know that I proudly, and without reservation, signed and ran on the Taxpayer Protection Pledge promising the voters and taxpayers of my district that I would oppose and vote against any and all efforts to increase taxes. That includes increasing taxes by renewing the 2009 tax hikes which will “sunset” in July.
That is the promise I ran on. That is the promise I was elected on. And that is the promise I fully intend to keep. And should I decide to run for re-election, that is the same platform I will run on again. At that time, if my constituents decide they would rather replace me with someone who promises to raise their taxes, so be it. But I will not break my word.
If Mr. George believes “the Nevada System of Higher Education has absorbed cuts at a level that is disproportionately higher than other state agencies,” then he should tell us what other state agencies and programs should be cut instead of higher education. Should we cut more into health and human services? Or public safety? Or someplace else, Mr. George?
Like I said, these folks are barking up the wrong tree. If they think they’re going to intimidate and pressure Elizabeth Halseth, they don’t know Elizabeth Halseth. Maybe Kyle should consider just moving on to his second target.
By the way, if you’d like to send Sen. Halseth a quick email of support and gratitude to counter the BS she’s getting from the Left, her email address in Carson City is: ehalseth@sen.state.nv.us
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