Though anyone capable of signing a petition with anything other than an “X” understands that a vote to repeal a tax would require lawmakers to either cut spending or find revenue elsewhere, the Nevada Supreme Court in its infinite pettifogging wisdom ruled this past week that Nevada voters are just too darned dimwitted to understand this and must be lead by the nose. The … [Read more...]
Washington should let Nevada set its own clocks
This past weekend Nevadans once again went through the futile and counterproductive ordeal of resetting all our clocks to comply with the dictates of your elected naifs in Washington. We are now temporarily on Pacific Daylight Saving Time, despite the fact our Carson City lawmakers nearly a year ago passed Assembly Joint Resolution No. 4 that proposes to make Pacific … [Read more...]
Why we insist on open government
In an age when government leaks, classified e-mails and court orders to unlock phones seem to make the news daily, it’s worth remembering why we insist on open and transparent government. Sunshine Week is the annual celebration by journalists across the nation of openness in government and our responsibilities in making sure we have strong laws allowing people to view public … [Read more...]
THUMBS UP, THUMBS DOWN
THUMBS UP to Gov. Brian Sandoval for saying no thanks. The governor said he is not interested in being considered for the vacancy on the U.S. Supreme Court. The Republican governor made the statement after he was mentioned as potential nominee to replace the late Justice Antonin Scalia. It didn’t make any sense for Sandoval to subject himself to the politics swirling … [Read more...]
In memory of state legislator Debbie Smith
It’s possible to come from humble circumstances in Battle Mountain and leave a lasting impression on the state of Nevada, particularly when it comes to children and education, and do it with graciousness, fairness, selflessness and humility. It’s possible to start as a school board member and PTA leader and become an accomplished legislator who is widely respected from both … [Read more...]
THUMBS UP THUMBS DOWN
THUMBS UP to Anthony Marnell III, whose company, Marnell Gaming, has purchased the Nugget hotel-casino. Marnell, in an interview with the Sparks Tribune, didn’t hesitate to reveal what he thought of Sparks’ largest resort and what his company wants to do with the property. He was frank, which we appreciate after listening to people who are overly cautious in dealing with the … [Read more...]
Thumbs Up Thumbs Down
THUMBS DOWN to Washoe County officials for giving casinos a tax break going back to 2009. We always knew casinos had an edge over gamblers, but we didn’t know that advantage extended into the counting room at the county administration building. Last week, county officials acknowledged that they had been significantly under-collecting gaming taxes from casinos because of a … [Read more...]
Thumbs Up Thumbs Down
THUMBS UP to the Northern Nevada Medical Center in Sparks for giving back to the community. The hospital sponsored a community health fair last week, offering free or low-cost preventative screenings and education. With the soaring cost of health care, it’s refreshing to see a bit of understanding in the medical world when it comes to one’s pocketbook. THUMBS DOWN to … [Read more...]