Teachers union: “Sandoval Continues His Short Sighted Approach to Destroy Public Education”

Wednesday, March 14, 2012 | 7:27 a.m.

To be honest, when it first came by fax (!), I wasn't sure it was a real news release.

It read almost like a parody.

The governor decides to extend $600 million in taxes so he doesn't have to cut education and the Nevada State Education Association accuses him of wanting to "preside over the demise of Nevada public education today," as the release began? Really?

"The Governor must put the education of our children first instead of the needs of his big business cronies," NSEA boss Lynn Warne is quoted as saying. What? Non-sequitur?

The release ends with a suggestion from Warne that "Nevada voters take this critical issue out of the Governor's hands and deal with it directly on the ballot."

Yes, I, too, think Sandoval should deal with reforming the tax structure, and I have long believed education funding in Nevada is putrid. But he's killing public education? Helping his big business cronies by extending taxes, including a payroll tax?

Now you know why I didn't think the release was serious. And I am not quite sure how the group expects to be taken seriously going forward.

But I suppose if all you care about is riling up your members, well: Mission accomplished.