GOP legislative leaders: Democrats should “trade their rhetoric for a plan”

Tuesday, Feb. 1, 2011 | 8:45 p.m.

So say state Senate Minority Leader Mike McGinness and Assembly Minority Leader Pete Goicoechea in an "open letter" released Tuesday evening.

And so they join Gov. Brian Sandoval in trying to smoke out the Democrats on taxes while displaying a sheen of bipartisanship and cooperation.It has a lot of Sandoval's sentiments and rhetoric, including a call for "honest and open debate," even though they, like him, have closed off one side of the debate.

What is the sound of one hand clapping again?

Here's the letter:

Dear Friends:

Three months ago, you sent a clear message to all elected officials that the status quo wasn’t good enough, that increased government spending must stop and that petty partisan roadblocks would not be tolerated. You made it clear on Election Day that you will pay attention and you will hold us accountable for our words and our actions.

We got the message and hopes were high among Republican leaders that Democrats heard your message and would work with us toward commonsense solutions for Nevada.

Last week, Governor Sandoval delivered the State of the State Address with a refreshing call for teamwork and a long list of difficult, but important reforms designed to get our state back on the road to prosperity. Not every Nevadan will agree with every proposal but there is little doubt that the Governor came prepared with a thoughtful and measured budget, commonsense solutions and some bold new ideas.

Governor Sandoval proposed a budget that Nevada can afford. A budget that forces government to get more out of less rather than one that increases spending, cripples our economy, kills job growth or simply delays the difficult decisions for two more years. The Governor had the courage to use honest numbers and statistics and use reputable projections so that Democrats and Republicans could work from the same starting point as we debate where we’re going and exactly how to get there.

There will always be some people dedicated to the status quo. Unfortunately some have chosen to dust off an old political strategy designed to confuse the public. By presenting a barrage of numbers from a variety of sources, they seek not to advance an agenda of their own but, to confuse the issue. Don't fall for it. Honest change is difficult and there will always be resistance from those who benefit from or are comfortable with the way things are.

Governor Sandoval articulated a plan and Republican legislators support it. None of us is arrogant or naïve enough to think our plan is perfect. Over the coming months the people will have an opportunity and a forum to make their voice heard and we welcome both the support and constructive criticism that inevitably will come.

The message that you sent in November was far more practical than partisan. It wasn't about which political party should lead, but rather how government should operate. Legislative Republicans heard the message and maintain a firm commitment to sustaining any Governor’s veto of any bill that grows government, raises taxes or reapportions government boundaries that unfairly benefit either political party.

We ask today that our colleagues trade their rhetoric for a plan. We ask them to join us in supporting the Governor’s vision of service before self – a vision that reins in spending, makes government more responsive and calls for shared sacrifice over individual gain. We hope they will join us, but should they oppose our efforts to reform government they owe it to you to provide a plan of their own. They owe it to every Nevadan to begin providing specific details of not just their plan, but also how they propose to fund it.

Nevadans deserve an honest and open debate. We call on Nevada leaders regardless of ideology or party affiliation to spend a little less time on rhetoric and a little more time working together toward real solutions.

Sincerely,

Senator Mike McGinness Assemblyman Pete Goicoechea

Senate Minority Leader Assembly Minority Leader