The Associated Press reported yesterday that Gov. Jim Gibbons “has said he’d veto tax increases passed by the Legislature but would sign a tax increase if it’s backed in a public vote.”
At the risk of beating a dead horse, the governor may be saying he’d support a tax increase “if it’s backed in a public vote” now, but that’s NOT what he pledged, in writing, at the Nevada Republican Party convention in Mesquite in the spring of 2006 while on the campaign trail during his gubernatorial campaign. The promise he made to the people of Nevada while trying to win their votes was this:
“I, Jim Gibbons, pledge to the taxpayers of Nevada, and all the people of this State, that I will oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes.”
Now, I’m as tired of beating this horse as I’m sure you all are; however, the Taxpayer Protection Pledge the governor took does NOT say that he will “oppose and veto any and all efforts to increase taxes…unless it’s backed in a public vote.” Those additional words simply aren’t there no matter how hard some Gibbons advisers look for them.
There are powerful and well-funded special interests scheming to hike taxes in Nevada today. They include a powerful labor union, at least three powerful casinos, the entire public education bureaucracy and the Speaker of the Nevada Assembly. In addition to the money and influence they will bring to “sell” this tax hike to “the people,” they will have the enormous benefit of free public soapboxes from which to also make their case. And if history is any guide, they will do so in a disingenuous and likely even dishonest manner.
How can the average voter, taxpayer and tourist fight effectively against such a Leviathan of special interests?
They can’t. The only thing they have in their favor right now is the promise Gov. Gibbons made to them when he was soliciting their votes in 2006. If he now reneges on his promise and abandons those who thought he meant what he said when they read his lips, all hope for them is lost.
So Governor, please stay true to your vow.
Posted on May 22nd, 2008 by Chuck Muth
Filed under: Nevada
Ok, Mr. Muth, here is a question: can the Governor stop an initiative to raise the room tax? Is there a provision either under the Nevada Constitution or the statutes of this State that permit him to do so?
No. If enough signatures are gathered to qualify an initiative for the ballot and the initiative passes, the governor has no veto power over it.