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Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2011 | 2:01 a.m.
In a state beset by problems of historic magnitude, with a legislative donnybrook soon to come, the Senate majority leader came home Tuesday to inform the populace that Nevada “has the wrong kind of red lights.”
He’s right. But he was talking about the wrong red lights.
The sensational four paragraphs out of a 30-minute speech brought the Legislature to a standstill (some would say a salutary development), brought (some would say more) whores to the building and brought more scorn on the state and Harry Reid from near and far (both are used to it by now). A pleasant diversion, especially watching every elected official uncomfortably react, but full of Faulknerian sound and fury.
The real red-light problem in Nevada has nothing to do with brothels and working girls — Reid had only one bit of anecdotal evidence for a company rejecting Nevada because of legal brothels and seemed irked by any follow-up questions later. Even respected former state Archivist Guy Rocha says he has seen no evidence brothels are hurting economic development and pointed out other continents where prostitution is long accepted.
“My whole thing is: Prove it,” Rocha said.
Of course, there is no proof of this questionable thesis. Nevada is not sinking because of those figurative red lights but because of the real ones on legislators’ desks that have been illuminated way too often over the years, with too many lawmakers all too willing to vote “no” and so unwilling to vote “yes” on any constructive solutions.
This is not simply because they are willing to lie down for lobbyists or to get in bed with special interests. It is because they have sold themselves to the notion that to find progressive solutions rather than to oppose any forward-thinking initiatives could jeopardize their ability to return to not take action again. Better to vote “no” and keep the coveted elected title than to consider any long-term solutions, whether they are tax increases, tax incentives, tax abatements or tax reform.
It does get, well, taxing, after awhile.
You think major companies would not move to Nevada because of a couple dozen brothels in rural parts of the state as opposed to executives being repelled by the wasteland that is Nevada’s education system? Reid knows this, and what’s worse, he showed he knows it later in his speech, realizing full well the Fourth Estate and others would glom onto his unnecessary “Bye Bye Brothels” verses.
To his credit, Reid addressed the real red-light phenomenon, with a passionate (at least in words) plea to stop funding — or not funding — education as it has been done for so long. These words, not his prostitution epiphany, should resonate:
“Nevada ranks 50th in state contributions to education. Our children really deserve better. We’re not the only state that has to make hard choices when it comes to budget cuts. But few have forced its K-through-12 and higher-education systems to cut millions from already-tight budgets, as Nevada has. And we do this year after year.
“We’re beyond asking our schools and universities to trim their budgets, or do more with less. These cuts, and calls for more cuts, undermine our most important goal: preparing Nevada’s students for the global economy. If our priority is producing a workforce that can compete with the rest of the world, let’s legislate that way.”
Unlike his frivolous anti-prostitution gambit, Reid here nails what others have tried to highlight, even this early in the session. That is the fundamental disconnect between the notion that we have to diversify the economy and the cancerous neglect of education.
From Gov. Brian Sandoval, with his restructuring of the state’s economic development apparatus, to Assembly Democrats, with their piecemeal tax abatements and credits, the Carson City denizens can talk a good game but it is undercut by their actions. The governor won’t consider funding education more than its shabby current state and the Democrats will mewl about Sandoval’s cuts and not present a plan.
It’s easier to push the red lights and go home to their constituents and say they kept their promise not to raise taxes. This despite poll after poll showing the public is receptive to thoughtful dialogue about not cutting education and raising taxes, polls that the Just-Push-the-Red-Light caucus are happy to dismiss here in the capital cocoon.
This red-light malady is not just endemic to funding education but almost all services in this state. The Legislative Building too often is the place thoughtful discussions of such issues go to die amid a sea of red lights.
“So let’s have an adult conversation about an adult subject,” Reid told lawmakers on Tuesday.
He was right. But he was talking about the wrong subject.
Ooops. Don't tell mayoral candidate Carolyn Goodman.
Whatever happened to the old Nevada? Why are we trying to be like Utah?
RAISE TAXES ON MINING!!!
That prostitution is regulated in Nevada seems pretty innovative to me. Too bad this state isn't tolerant enough or creative enough to take a cut of the profits. I suggest a gross receipts tax on the sex industry, the proceeds of which could be dedicated to state-wide economic development.
In return, tax increment funding and abatements would be abolished, allowing the sales and property tax generated by publicly-subsidized projects to remain in government coffers to fund government services -- if, in fact, Nevada has any intention of funding any government services. There's the rub.
This state's intransigence surrounding the growth of taxes and revenue is unhealthy. Destroying institutions like education so they can be privatized reflects poorly on Nevada. Our fear of taxes is paralyzing. Our quality of life indicators are abysmal. But our business climate is superb.
It's not prostitution that sullies Nevada's image, it's politics.
I do believe the only motive that Harry Reid has, with regards to making the legal brothels illegal, is to create a wedge issue in the GOP.
Reid is a moron. Too bad Angle was worse.
Agreed -- brothels & hookers are not a significant factor in our economy, whether you're for or against. But I disagree with your belief that "progressive solutions", a.k.a. tax increases, are the solution to our educational woes. Keep funding where it is, or even bump it up a little, and we all know our system would still be at or near the bottom in performance. The problem is the system is failing increasing numbers of our young, and it is a problem that continued or increased spending without significant systemic changes will not remedy. Only radical changes to HOW we educate that connect performance to funding, undoubtedly over the objections of an entrenched educational establishment fearing for its continued survival, will suffice.
What were the names and companies of these "data-dudes" that don't cotton to them there women of the evening? Where would Matt Dillon been without "Kitty?" Or Perry Mason with out Dela Street?
All the data hub stuff is a glorified "telephone switching facility" they have all sorts of these windowless cinder-block builds all over the country...give me a break.
If we taxed mines at the same rate as brothels, this state would be rich beyond belief. Yet Sen. Gried has stood in the way while our schools and universities face bankruptcy.
The amazing man of 1000 (or more) faces.
Many good comments here. I will stand by removed comments on the subject, but dare not repeat them.
Whether you agree with ol' Harry or not...
it really is much ado about nada.
Certainly it can't hurt the image of our state that he SUGGESTED it, for crying out loud.
The fact that the brothels OFFER to be taxed, and we STILL can't seem to come to terms with takin' it & puttin' it in the kitty is beyond ridiculous.
Ralston is right, of course, on Education.
That IS the Big One...
No sane business person that needs labor from our pool is gonna want to swim in these here waters.
The fact that Reid is re-elected is proof that one of the things we desperately need here is election reform. The media virtually ignores third party candidates. We need them. The D's and the R's have both shown themselves to be ineffective and corrupt - as Mr. Ralston says, concerned with being re-elected vs doing the right thing. We need some people who are willing to go in there for a year or two and do what's best for the most citizens over time, and be willing to get back out if they're voted out of office. I suppose that's a hard thing to do unless you're rich, but really, election reforms are needed.
Merge the data hub with the sex-industry and be the "one-line porn capital of the world."
"Guy Rocha says he has seen no evidence brothels are hurting economic development and pointed out other continents where prostitution is long accepted."
Hey GUY - Have you looked at the State's Unemployment figures lately? Or do you live in Argentina with the Dept of Transportation?