(Senator Don Gustavson) – It’s been a few weeks now since sine die. All of the lawmakers and the lobbyists have left Carson City, and the Legislative Building is so empty I can almost hear the coffee brewing at the café across the street. While others were busy planning for their time off, I sat in my office reflecting on the 76th Legislative Session.
It was a tough session. There’s some good news to report: I helped passed legislation that will protect custody rights of our military soldiers who fight in other countries to protect us. I’ve also passed legislation that will help secure your social security number, and target thieves who tamper with your identity. In addition, I’ve also passed legislation that will reduce prison recidivism and safeguard employers who hire felons.
I also successfully amended legislation that strengthened your Second Amendment rights as of July 1st, increasing your capacity as a concealed weapons permit holder to carry any semi-auto firearm of your choice without having to re-qualify for each type of semi-automatic. Already this amendment is saving gun owners time and money, and has quickly allowed for the restructuring of the process that is now creating less encumbrance and paperwork for our law enforcement agencies.
But now is not the time to boast. To some, it seems as if sine die was long ago, and to many it seems that the 77th Session is a long ways away. My friend, I will tell you differently…as someone who has spent session after session fighting the liberal agenda, I know that this fight is never over.
And while others decide to relax the rest of this year or vacation or tend to hobbies, I plan to be hitting the campaign trail frequently, doing all I can now to help elect other like-minded legislators who care about Nevadalike I do. Now is the time to start! I’ve been around too long and I understand that when it comes to legislating, time arrives quickly, and we will be arriving at the 77th Session before many are prepared. This is why it is imperative that we do all we can now to elect strong-willed candidates who will honor the principles of our constitution and smaller leaner government.
My friend, we are so close to having a power shift, I can taste it. Imagine having the ability to manage the legislative agenda. Imagine having the capability to decide what legislative bills are heard. Imagine having the capacity to pass effective laws that will truly reform education, clamp down on illegal immigration, provide incentives for real job growth, and restoreNevadato a low-tax state that allowed us at one time to enjoy one of the best economies in the country.
That vision is closer than you think! Currently, the Nevada Republican Senate is only one senate seat from wrestling power away from the liberals who think differently. The liberals do not want lower taxes. The liberals do not want true education reform. The liberals do not want to deal with Nevada’s illegal immigration problem. Session after session after session the liberals have proven that they only want to increase taxes and grow government and pander to the special interest groups that are dragging this state down!
You know that I believe differently. Many of you have followed the work that I do in Carson City. You appreciate my conservative voting record, and you have told me time and time again that you wish there were more like me in Carson City. We can make that happen, but it requires your help. I want to do everything I can to help elect like-minded conservatives in 2012 and to take control of the Senate and bring a new powerful voice to Carson City.
(Senator Gustavson serves as State Senator in Washoe County, Nevada.)