Las Vegas Sun

March 19, 2024

He is NOT for legalizing hookers, but definitely down on the governor

Some people have simple auto-responses to their emails when they are not in. Not state Sen. Bob Coffin. This is priceless:

Thanks for writing. (revised Saturday, Jan. 24)

IF THE REASON YOU ARE WRITING IS BECAUSE OF NEWS COVERAGE ABOUT PROSTITUTION PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER.

The first story to appear was in the Las Vegas Sun on Thursday, January 22nd. The story is accurate but the headline was incorrect and has been fixed. Please refer to that story as a good example of accurate journalism by the reporter and mistaken headline writing by a tired person on the desk. They corrected the mistake on Friday, so, thank you Sun.

I AM NOT PROPOSING LEGALIZATION OF PROSTITUTION IN LAS VEGAS OR RENO, THE LARGEST CITIES IN THE TWO NEVADA COUNTIES WHERE PROSTITUTION IS ILLEGAL. PROSTITUTION IS LEGAL ON A COUNTY OPTION BASIS THROUGHOUT THE REST OF NEVADA.

What I am proposing is that we finally spread Nevada's business tax burden around to those businesses which have escaped taxation by taxing the business of the already legal brothels.

And, I feel that we can get more tax money from the legal, nude strip clubs under the existing Live Entertainment Tax.

And, I propose that we locate, regulate, and tax the unlicensed, illicit prostitution rampant in Las Vegas, Reno and the other large cities in Nevada which masquerades under euphemistic terms such as "escort services" or "entertainment." The Yellow Pages contain over 100 pages of color ads offering their services. This prostitution carries health risks, female exploitation and law enforcement difficulty not found in the rural, legal bordellos.

Those are three goals that I propose the Nevada Legislature undertake in this legislative session.

If you have written about the Governor's budget please remember that every unreasonable proposal he advocates will have to stand the scrutiny of the Nevada Legislature.

Never in the history of our State has a Chief Executive so flagrantly abandoned his job to lead the people and to inspire the best performance from the citizens. Words fail to properly describe the damage he will inflict on our education system at all levels if he is allowed to enact his plans. His plans also set in motion the dismantling of services needed by the elderly, sick, mentally ill and troubled youth, as well.

In 2006, when Jim Gibbons was running for Governor and the state was running smoothly he promised to not raise taxes. In those days it was not thought necessary to raise taxes so it was politically expedient to say so and, in 2007, he signed the budget containing all the programs he is cutting. Then, the world changed and Jim decided to hang onto that phrase so that he could be consistent.

To that, I would say, with compliments to Ralph Waldo Emerson, that "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds."

I am sorry that your government is not working smoothly but your citizen-legislators will do their best to treat everyone with respect and courtesy. You might not like the outcome but compromise and sacrifice will be required to keep services intact for all of us.

IN ORDER TO FULFILL OUR CONSTITUTIONAL OBLIGATION TO SUPPORT THE SCHOOLS AND OTHER ESSENTIAL SERVICES WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ENACT TEMPORARY TAX INCREASES UNTIL WE HAVE REBUILT OUR FORMERLY SOUND FINANCIAL POSITION.

YOU CAN WATCH OUR COMMITTEE AND FLOOR PROCEEDINGS ON THE INTERNET AT: WWW.LEG.STATE.NV.US.

Thank you again,

Bob

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