Columnist Jon Ralston: Guinn unveils his comedy act

Friday, July 13, 2001 | 4:17 a.m.

Jon Ralston hosts the public affairs program "Face to Face" on Las Vegas ONE and also publishes the Ralston Report. His column for the Sun appears on Sundays and Wednesdays. Ralston can be reached at 870-7997 or through e-mail at ralston@vegas.com

IN ONE POST-SESSION evaluation of Gov. Kenny Guinn, an observer remarked that the chief executive had perfectly balanced "Professor Guinn, Wise Old Grandfather Guinn, Let's-Step-Outside Guinn and I-Work-For-The-People Guinn."

Last week the protean governor unveiled yet another persona: Stand-Up Comedian Guinn.

The governor, before a speech to the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, deadpanned that he had a tax plan (the one he's been promising for more than two years), but won't reveal it until after he is re-elected.

This is the stuff of Jerry Seinfeld (a show about nothing), of George Carlin (Guinn knows all about those unmentionable words), of Steve Martin in his heyday (excuse him if he doesn't take a position).

This is the same Guinn who made the implied promise during his 1999 State of the State speech that he would present a plan two years later to revamp the tax structure. "How will we ensure a stable source of state funding for those services?" he asked then. And we thought he actually planned to answer the question. What a laugh riot.

Then, in his 2001 State of the State, Guinn warned the citizenry about possible shortfalls: "I have made no secret of my belief that Nevada must explore new revenue streams and establish a broader economic base, so that we can provide a good education to our children, adequate health care to our families and seniors, and safety for all our citizens." But why should he talk about any changes when re-election looms and his political advisers have snipped his vocal chords? Cue the laugh track.

And now, with the Session of Nothing and its Not-So-Special sequel barely relegated to memory, we get this comedy show. And if that weren't hilarious enough, Guinn followed up with this beauty of a one-liner, saying the 2003 Legislature is "when the true, honest, open debate comes in."

True, honest, open debate in Carson City? Like the one where they passed a phony car rental tax and a jiggering of business transaction fees to give teachers a pseudo-raise? This guy should be on stage at Caesars.

Actually, the chamber was a perfect venue for Guinn to use to unveil his new comedy act. The business folks have been snickering for years about how they've avoided responsibility for funding state government, leaving it to the gaming industry and a pathetically cobbled together mishmash of Band-Aids.

My guess is, though, one group not laughing is the teachers union, which botched one tax initiative but would now be insane not to write another one and get it passed. The governor's words must have fallen upon the teachers like a leaden joke. And if the teachers do go forward, other tax initiatives will sprout, too, and this entire issue could be taken out of the governor's hands by the time Session '03 rolls around. Anyone still laughing?

Not to worry, though. Guinn says we can count on the Governor's Task Force on Tax Policy in Nevada -- now there's a gut-buster. We can be certain this forum will produce different results than every other tax study done in the last two decades here, which concluded -- wait for the punch line: Broaden the tax base.

Indeed, the task force's enabling legislation declares:

"Whereas, When there is a disparity between the growth in revenues from current revenue sources and the growth in public spending needed to maintain current governmental services, a structural deficit in the state budget arises; and ...

"Whereas, The development of a broad-based tax structure that is reflective of the diversity of Nevada's economy is a desirable policy and worthy of study."

Worthy of study? The Gang of 63 is the only vaudeville act that can match Guinn guffaw for guffaw. But who are they kidding?

This is what's known as a buffer, a delaying tactic so they can let two more years elapse without addressing the most important public policy question this state has ever faced -- and it has faced it since the late 1980s at least. It's no accident that the task force is not scheduled to report back to the governor and lawmakers until Nov. 15, 2002. Think that date was chosen by accident, considering it comes after the election?

No, that's just the way the responsibility abdicators wanted it. I wonder what the governor's position will be by then, assuming that he wins re-election, which is all but assured.

Guinn should change his mind about waiting, and I believe he might if he doesn't get an opponent. If the Democrats don't field anyone credible (do the Democrats have anyone credible?), then Guinn will be running only against himself.

Considering how vulnerable he's made himself with all the positions he's taken on the tax structure issue, I think it's a race he can win.