Sunday, October 05, 2003
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

EDITORIAL: Sending a message

Throughout this year's legislative session, lawmakers who stumped for a massive tax hike and the powerful interests who backed them claimed that a price would be paid by the "recalcitrant" Republicans who insisted that the largest cash grab in Nevada history would have to be trimmed, just a little.

The "mean 15" Assembly Republicans who refused to rubber-stamp the tax deal would be easy pickin's for "moderate" primary challengers or more "responsible" Democratic opponents in next fall's general election.

Really?

The first indication that this claim was a canard came when Assemblyman Josh Griffin, the Henderson Republican who was named assistant minority leader, announced he would not seek a second term in Carson City. Mr. Griffin supported the massive tax hike and has decided to take a pass given he would have a tough time defeating a credible conservative challenger in next year's GOP primary.

More tangible evidence of public sentiment came from a poll of 400 Clark County voters conducted by Magellan Research last month. The poll, which asked voters their opinions about several prominent players in the legislative debate, should send a message to the tax-and-spend crowd in Carson City.

Gov. Kenny Guinn -- who initially proposed a bigger tax increase than the $836 million version that finally passed -- can take little solace here. A mere 20 percent of the respondents said their opinion of him improved after the session ended. Nearly half -- 49.2 percent -- had a "diminished" view of the governor.

Members of the Legislature who supported the tax hikes might also consider other employment. Some 56.5 percent of the voters have "diminished" opinions of revenue-happy lawmakers, while a mere 20.2 percent have an "improved" view. The outrage crosses party lines.

Meantime, fiscally responsible legislators should breathe a bit easier: Nearly 44 percent of voters expressed an "improved" opinion of them, with only 29 percent saying their esteem "diminished" after the session.

The most intriguing results related to Clark County Superintendent Carlos Garcia, who preached "calamity" unless the tax hike went through. Voters saw right through the shameless game of chicken he played with students, parents, taxpayers and would-be teachers: Some 46.2 percent now hold a "diminished" view of the superintendent; only 25.2 percent say their opinion "improved."

Will November 2004 be "payback time" for Nevada's elected officials? If so, the ones who should be sweating are the fiscally profligate.