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Advice: ‘There is no quick fix’ for economy
Richard Bryan, Lobbyist for Lionel Sawyer & Collins
Wednesday, Nov. 18, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Richard Bryan has served Nevada as a deputy district attorney, public defender, legislator, attorney general, governor and senator.
He’s now a lawyer-lobbyist for Lionel Sawyer & Collins.
What advice would you give to elected officials?
The most important advice is to stay in touch. People are frightened. None of us here in Nevada have experienced such a challenging economy. Next year is going to be every bit as challenging as 2009.
Elected officials need to be very candid with the public, say, ‘Look, there is no quick fix here. There is no magic elixir that will immediately transform us from a difficult recession to an overnight recovery.’
Some of this is going to take time. Some of the things the Congress has done make some sense, like extending unemployment benefits. If there’s a silver lining to this, hopefully some lessons may be learned.
What are those lessons?
Among individuals, there’s some responsibility. They got themselves into a situation that was irresponsible, unrealistic and not sustainable.
Nov. 5 was the 10th anniversary of the repeal of the Glass-Steagall Act. I voted against repeal. To allow financial institutions with extraordinarily sophisticated financial products to escape regulatory oversight was a mistake. We need to create a more effective regulatory structure.
What about closer to home, what lessons can Nevada learn?
I still think that the fact we are so dependent on tourism as an industry, strong as the industry is here, continues to make the point that we’ve got to diversify and broaden our base. That’s not new, but it comes back: Our economy really is more vulnerable to an economic cycle because we’re so dependent on tourism.
The revenue structure has got to be revised. It’s got to be broadened with a broad-based business tax. It may not be politically doable, but it’s got to be done.
Are you optimistic for the future of your grandchildren in Nevada?
I am optimistic. There’s an entrepreneurial side that runs through the state’s history, from mining to easy divorces to casino gaming. Now it could be energy.
What do you think of Sen. Harry Reid’s reelection chances?
He has a very difficult race, but never count him out. My prediction is that he wins in a hard-fought contest.
Do you miss politics?
What I find troubling is the escalated and highly polarized rhetoric. I wouldn’t handle that well.
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"...None of us here in Nevada have experienced such a challenging economy...."
Thanks for the years of service Mr. Bryan, but,
surely you jest.
I will be kind and just say, politely, I don't think the "none of us" applies to me and a whole lot of people who live here. I, and others, have plenty of experience in bad economies.
The persons who don't have experience are the "insiders", like yourself, who control and have controlled the political spectrum here in Nevada for years and years on end.
To say the least they are the most incompetent and untrustworthy ilk, with only minor exceptions, I have had the distinct displeasure to observe. They are the ones who are absolutely clueless as to what to do. Clueless.
And what troubles me most is that they are visionless. Yes, visionless. And in my view, no annointed committee of more "insiders" will be sufficient to turn this poorly captained ship around.
To be honest, Nevada's troubles run deep and were started years ago. It was lack of vision then, and concerted lack of vision now, that will keep Nevada at the bottom of nearly every known predictor of success and keep it from producing a success for a state that would rank highly among the others.
So while I may be extraordinarily harsh, I have taken innumerable steps to be extraordinarily accurate in my assessment. To effectively say now in hindsight, "who knew", is to effectively say in as many words,
"who cared".
I rest my case, Mr. Bryan.
A broad based business tax will be a more volatile tax! If you want to have a more stable tax structure, you do not go get a business income tax. The gaming tax is itself a business tax and what do you expect will happen when you are at the losing end of the business cycle? Now, if your goal is just to acquire more money for the government and forget the consequences then a business tax is a fine instrument. But its not going to help anyone but entrenched special interests.
Jobs...jobs...and jobs...this is what Nevada needs...we have been trying to diversify our economy for years and have not succeeded. Jobs is the key, and our elected officials along with our corporate leaders ought to form a 'roundtable' and get on the road to bring more companies (jobs) to Nevada. With all the continuing proliferation of gaming, Ohio, Pennsylvania, upstate NY, etc., along with talk of legalizing internet gaming does not read well for our State. Now, long overdue, the resort casino executives have 'discovered' the value of conventions and trade shows...We need to get real serious about making our economy better...the Federal Government could care less about us!
it was asked "who knew",i'll bet the "insiders" did
"Education Week ranked Clark County as having the fifth-worst graduation rate at 44.5 percent. But School District officials say it's closer to 60 percent".
Big deal either way. We are a disgrace educationally. Why would a company that needs skilled workers move into a state with so many unskilled dropouts. With Hispanics the majority in our schools now, and increasing their population rapidly, we need to accommodate this reality quickly:
1. The Spanish language should be mandatory for ALL students, not just as an elective minor subject.
2. All signs in all businesses should be in English/Spanish, like at Lowes stores.
3. All loudspeakers in all public buildings must be spoken in both languages, as in Canada. (French/English).
5. To encourage Hispanics to stay in school, we should allow all students regardless of ethnicity or citizenship, to be eligible for in-state college tuition. In addition, preferences should be instituted for non-documented and ESL students regarding scholarships and hardship allotments.
6. Upon graduation, there should be a requirement that all new public works jobs should be allotted on a one to one basis-One white/black, one Hispanic.
Yes, starting these programs will take time. It has been estimated that our Hispanics are of up to 80% Mestizo and other Indian heritage. Just as with American Indians, they have been the subject of discrimination and abuse. Let's just do it now, people.
Las Vegas had its run,now the people will pay much more taxes because your city did not save for the hard times.I have learned to live within your means.