Editorial: Keep focus on issues with merit

Wednesday, Feb. 19, 2003 | 9 a.m.

We were hoping that all 63 legislators would comprehend the seriousness of the state's budget crisis, particularly after Gov. Kenny Guinn's State of the State address. The governor was appropriately grave when explaining the impact on the state's residents, particularly schoolchildren, of continued deficits totaling in the range of $1 billion. At least one lawmaker, however, thinks the state's financial crisis is a hoot, an occasion for wasting time and money on a bill draft request that defines immaturity. Deep down, whoever submitted the request must have realized how foolish he would appear -- it was requested anonymously.

With the people of Nevada needing the serious attention of their legislators every minute of the four-month session, there is no time and certainly no money (bill drafts cost an average of $500) for preparing a bill that would change the state's name to East California. Humor has its place, but not when time is of the essence and many under-served Nevadans are suffering. In addition to changing the state's name, the bill wants George Harrison's "Taxman" as the state song and RINO as the state animal. RINO is an acronym for "Republican in name only" and it's a slight directed at Guinn. The Republican governor, in his fifth year of office, sees the obvious need for new and increased taxes, and for that he has become the butt of someone's joke, on state time, no less.

Only slightly more worthy is a bill introduced in the Senate this week that would require the state to offer license plates with the anti-abortion message, "Choose Life." Proceeds from sales would go toward counseling women with unplanned pregnancies about adoption. The bill was sent to the Transportation Committee, where it should go no further. Non-political license plates, such as those bearing the name of a university sports team, a geographical feature, or the word "veteran," are sold without tying the state to a controversial position that voters should decide. The state shouldn't commit itself to one side or the other of a political issue on its official license plates. We hope the Legislature's leadership can keep the focus of this session on bills of substance.