The importance of doing a job right the first time

Wednesday, May 6, 2009 | 2:01 a.m.

After my usual, slothful execution of some childhood chore, my dad would chastise me with the annoying admonition: “When you do a job, do it right.”

And I would have to redo the chore — fetch all the clothes I had stuffed in a closet and actually fold them and put them away, for instance — and often it would not have been worth the procrastination.

So, too, do legislators take up the budget chore this time every two years with the same furtive, careless approach as an irresponsible child, hoping not to be punished for their shortsightedness and praying no one notices they got away with it — again.

The heady rhetoric of January is forgotten as selective amnesia sets in with political and — to a great extent this time — economic realities providing convenient cover for the children as they rush out to play after supposedly completing the job at hand. This session, one day after the two Democratic leaders — Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley and Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford — led a move to cut teacher and state worker salaries by 4 percent, my memory was not so afflicted with the eternal sunshine of a spotless mind.

The day The Man Formerly Known as Governor delivered his State of the State on Jan. 15, Horsford lamented that Jim Gibbons was balancing the budget “on the backs of education.” As for Ø’s proposed 6 percent pay cut for state employees and teachers: “I don’t think that’s the answer,” Horsford told the Sun.

And Buckley, who once said she never wanted to be cutting again and toured the state promising an overhaul of the tax structure, asked that day so long ago: “Does it really make sense to cut the salaries of our teachers, who dedicate themselves to educating our children, when we need the best and brightest in these jobs?”

So, it turns out months later, Ø was two-thirds right?

I am not so naive or hardheaded not to realize that circumstances have changed, that the economy is much, much worse than when Buckley and Horsford lambasted the budget and proclaimed their teacher love. Buckley makes a compelling argument when she says, as she did in an interview Tuesday, that lawmakers have a choice between Ø’s vision “so you’re not poised for an economic recovery and the other vision where you realize that your state’s in a recession and you can’t do anything to make it worse.”

Granted. But does that mean you can’t do anything?

What was not right in 2003 and is less right now is shooting not for the best policy but for a number — we can’t go over $836 million so we don’t get tagged with the largest tax increase in history. Whether they raise $600 million or $700 million, someone will include the room tax increase ($200 million) and whatever fees sneak into the budget and label it the largest tax increase. So why not do the job right?

Horsford has mentioned a net profits tax, but many studies indicate that isn’t the best tax-broadening vehicle. Sure, using the payroll tax — maybe even expanding it — and perhaps even putting a few services under the sales tax might help — and that would fit Buckley’s short-term vs. long-term approach.

But six years ago, when the most comprehensive tax study in state history was completed, something called a State Activity Tax was recommended. That would have been as broad as possible and would have cost a business with $1 million in revenue $625 a year. $625 a year!

It still makes the most sense in a raft of imperfect tax plans, and many smaller businesses could be exempted. But that concept has no chance because the State Activity Tax became better known as the Gross Receipts Tax, which is as toxic a phrase as any in the echo chamber known as the Legislative Building.

Yes, I know time is running out and Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio will block any business tax. Worse, lawmakers have allowed an absentee father, who has ignored them and the state’s real problems, to trundle around the state patronizing them for their inchoate tax plans and pretend he is a lecturing dad. They may yet make Jim Gibbons governor again.

Will those Senate Republicans really stymie a thoughtful, reasonable effort to broaden the base while protecting the economy? Will the Democrats really settle for half- or quarter-measures when the political fallout wouldn’t be much different if they did what they believed?

Lawmakers can finish their budget chore and stuff the problems in the biennial closet, knowing voters won’t wise up for some time to their dilatory tactics. Or, just once, they could do it right.

Discussion: 4 comments so far…

By late49er

5/6/09 at 8:50 a.m.

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Mr. Ralston,

I really enjoy reading your comments, but having said that to expect more from Nevada government than simply being the protector of gaming is asking too much.

How can we expect leadership in the executive and legislative branch when we live in a state where leadership is defined as folks running casino`s, bars and cat houses.

Not that I mind the pleasures of Nevada but if one wants a progressive state where education and culture are important one should go to Mississippi.

After all what is more importent a child who can read and receive proper nutrition or Mr Wynn buying fabulous diamonds.

Actually we could feed all the hungry in this state from Mr. Wynn`s dumpsters but that would require we care about our fellow citizens more than the right to pursue greed.

Enjoy your comments about sum zero. He really is a piece of work. Not a bit of compassion in that soul. Indeed he does not even understand the question.

Cheers,

Late 49er
By hss46

5/6/09 at 3:15 p.m.

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What bothers me is that there is only one comment here but the phlegm that passes for opinion in the other paper gets read and commented on by the right and left. Mr. Ralston, as much as I appreciate your comments and analysis on events in Carson, you are, by and large, casting pearls . . . .
By NativeNevadan

5/7/09 at 10:03 a.m.

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What's all this talk about "Will those Senate Republicans really stymie a thoughtful, reasonable effort to broaden the base while protecting the economy?"

Jon, you and the media got what you wanted - a Democrat majority in the legislature. You don't need a single Republican vote to do whatever you want. The Governor vetos? Who cares? Override the veto. Voila - you've got a broad based business tax and there's nothing anyone can do! Heck, jack up the tax and make an extra billion or two. Why don't they? Ask that question on your show next time Babs drops by for the love fest.

Fact is, the Democrats (and most Republicans) are all political cowards that won't do anything that would hurt there chances for re-election. Can't tick off the big contributors, can we? So we get the same drama we have every two years. The only thing worse would be to have a full time legislature that would subject us to this hand-wringing constantly.

But back to my main question - why don't the Democrats do what they want?
By Optimistic

5/8/09 at 12:14 a.m.

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Tax on net profits is the smartest idea anyone's had yet. Jon, you know gross receipts won't work because it penalizes high-volume, low-margin industries. It's not equitable. Tax on net profits, however, is. All businesses that succeed at the same rate contribute at the same rate. How do you get more fair, or broad, than that?

Buckley was on TV last summer declaring we would never again take a band-aid approach to fixing the budget problems...not under her watch. Yet, here we are under her watch and all she supports so far is a band-aid approach. She wants to run for governor, you say? What will her message be? "I may not have shown leadership as Assembly Speaker, but you can trust that I will as Governor!"?