(Scott Chappell) – Lynn Stewart – self-proclaimed “Our Assemblyman” – has represented District 22 in the Nevada State Assembly since 2007. At least as a matter of public record, he has represented AD 22. However, an examination of his accomplishments, while in office, indicates that he is completely out of touch with “our” interests.
One need only examine his contributions to the 2009 Legislative session as proof of his detachment from the realities facing our state.
On February 2, 2009, the 75th Legislative session began in Carson City. That same day, the Las Vegas Sun reported that, at 9.1%, Nevada had the fifth highest unemployment rate in the nation.
Just ten days later, on February 12, the Sun featured another article titled: “Nevada’s foreclosure rate tops nation once again”. This article reported that Las Vegas ranked #1 in the nation for home foreclosures (1 in 63 homes). The Reno Metro area fared a little better, with 1 in 120 homes in foreclosure (10th in the nation).
No need to worry, though, Our Assemblyman had things well in hand.
With all due haste, Assemblyman Stewart rushed to introduce Assembly Bill 188, on February 18, 2009. His bill authorized the Board of Regents to waive certain tuition fees for the children and spouses of Nevada National Guard servicemen killed in the line of duty.
Surely Mr. Stewart’s intentions were good; the money these families would save on tuition could be used to make their mortgage payments. Problem solved!
Not one to rest on his laurels, Mr. Stewart immediately went to work to solve the State’s other big dilemma, unemployment.
On March 5, 2009, he introduced AB245. This bill revised Chapter 293 of the Nevada Revised Statutes by requiring voters to provide identification, with a recognizable photograph, at the polls.
Who couldn’t see how this revision would benefit those who are unemployed? We all know that one must provide identification, with a recognizable photograph, in order to file for unemployment benefits. Once again, Mr. Stewart had proven his indefatigable devotion to Nevada’s citizens.
Having solved the major problems facing our State, Mr. Stewart had time to ponder his next successes, which came in the form of:
AB325: To revise NRS 176A.410 to prohibit sex offenders from living within 1,000 feet of their victims.
AB386: To revise NRS 433A to allow judges to admit certain mental health patients to involuntary community-based services.
AB 390: To revise NRS 645.0075 to redefine the description of a Business Broker.
ACR 7: To designate the month of September, 2009 as National Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month
AJR 13: To amend Section 5 of the Nevada State Constitution to allow the reapportionment of legislative districts “if the population in 15 percent of Assembly or Senate districts is greater than or less than, by more than 10 percent, the average population of the Assembly or Senate districts, respectively.”
Lest we forget Assemblyman Stewart’s claim to fame, his pièce de résistance:
SB 166: Making the Vivid Dancer Damselfly the official State Insect of Nevada.
The evidence is in. I would like everyone reading this article to join me in offering a resounding round of applause to “Our Assemblyman” for a job well done. We can all show our gratitude for his infallible service by voting him out of office on June 8, 2010.
(Mr. Chappell is a Republican candidate for Assembly District 22)