Columnist Jeff German: Cowardly pranksters in capital

Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003 | 11:12 a.m.

Listen up boys and girls in Carson City -- especially the pranksters behind an anonymous legislative proposal poking fun at the state's dire financial condition.

If you're going to act like fifth graders and pull off a practical joke at taxpayer expense, at least have the courage to lend your names to it.

That way we can spare the Legislature's grownups who are serious about fixing the state's money problems the embarrassment of being tied to this juvenile act.

Please don't make us treat you like fifth graders. Don't make us send the principal to halt the business of the Legislature and force all 63 lawmakers to stand in silence at their desks until someone steps forward to claim responsibility for the prank.

The anonymous proposal, submitted as a request for a bill draft, seeks to change the name of Nevada to East California, the state's song to the Beatles hit "Taxman" and the state animal to RINO, Republican in Name Only.

No one really expects the request to get any serious consideration at the Legislature.

It obviously was submitted for laughs and to take a cheap shot at Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn, who is pushing $1.1 billion in new taxes to bring the state out of its budget shortfall.

But the proposal also has demeaned the legislative process and insulted thousands of people throughout Nevada who are counting on lawmakers to fulfill the state's financial obligations in these tough fiscal times.

Only anti-tax proponents who lack the fortitude to go toe-to-toe with the governor in the tax debate would hide behind this kind of tactic.

These are lawmakers who aren't smart enough to see that such stunts actually cheapen the Legislature's reputation and harm the credibility of those voicing concerns about new taxes.

They are the same lawmakers who giggle when their colleague, Assemblyman Bob Beers, R-Las Vegas, tries to bolster an argument against tax increases by suggesting that casino workers and their children don't value education.

And they are the same lawmakers who think it's cute to watch Republican Party rabble-rousers, such as George Harris and Tony Dane, call the governor "Public Enemy No. 1" and mount a recall campaign against him.

If we've learned anything from this prank, it's that legislators who aren't serious about wanting to protect Nevada's future shouldn't be taken seriously.

The Legislature should consider changing the statute that allows anonymous requests for bill drafts. That will make it more difficult for lawmakers to get their kicks fronting for people with mean-spirited political agendas.

For the time being, the joke's on us, boys and girls.

But hopefully the grownups in Carson City will get the last laugh -- before we have to dispatch the principal to punish the pranksters.