Columnist Jon Ralston: Stories always on our minds: taxes, Yucca

Wednesday, July 19, 2000 | 9:44 a.m.

Jon Ralston, who publishes the Ralston Report, writes a column for the Sun on Sundays and Wednesdays. Ralston can be reached at 870-7997 or by e-mail at ralston@vegas.com.

Two taxing letters and a familiar-sounding nuclear waste position:

So what are the union leaders concerned with, pray tell, Mr. Shalmy. "Their mission, according to their own published statements, is to advocate the 'economic security of its members,' " Shalmy wrote.

I'm outraged. Such cynicism has no place in politics. Next we'll hear all the chamber cares about is protecting its members' bottom lines, that it is purely self-serving.

Shalmy then systematically dissects the business profits tax petition's deficiencies, focusing on how it earmarks money specifically for an education fund. He is not above inflammatory rhetoric, too, saying the tax "destroys economic diversification and your business development."

Shalmy then reminds members of the tendentiously named coalition set up by the business types to fight the tax petition, the Nevada Pro-Education Alliance. See, if they're pro-education, then how can the teachers say they're not for the kids. "No one cares more about Nevada's education system than the businesses that depend on it," Shalmy wrote, adding that the chamber is eager to "work with groups, parents, teachers and elected officials to solve the challenges we face." As long as, that is, they don't have to pay more to solve the challenges we face.

But in a letter this week to Guinn, association boss Stewart Handte wrote: "After numerous meetings, debates and a great deal of soul-searching, (the association) voted today to withdraw its support of the casino tax initiative. The decision was based on fairness. The board felt, in fact, that you should be given the opportunity as governor to resolve issues outlined in the petition. Although we feel the casino industry should come to some compromise regarding gaming taxes, we, the NHPA, have no quarrel with the industry."

Handte also praises the governor's fundamental review of state government and offers Guinn "our hand in friendship." And to Neal, the association has offered the back of its hand, which surely will aid the governor's -- and the gaming industry's -- campaign to stop the initiative from ever qualifying. That outcome would please the resort major domos and the Gang of 63, who want no part of having to decide between raising gaming taxes, thus pleasing the public, or passing on the chance, thus pleasing the state's most powerful special interest.

Q: With current scientific knowledge of the Yucca Mountain Permanent Waste Repository, will you recommend that the site be built if elected as President?

Gore: We don't have the results of the full scientific analysis yet. The decision should be based strictly on the science and not on politics.

Let's not miss the point here, folks: That is almost exactly word for word what Bush said. Neither presidential candidate has any intention of slowing this train down.