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By Anjeanette Damon (contact) 
Sunday, Jan. 9, 2011 | 2 a.m.
Brian Sandoval
Gov. Jim Gibbons
Sun coverage
Sun archives
- Sandoval increasingly isolated in his anti-tax stance (12-29-2010)
- State has upper hand in budget turf war (12-27-2010)
- Sandoval to build own budget (12-22-2010)
- Panels propose ideas to squeeze state budget (12-4-2010)
- Sandoval budget assumes 10 percent cut to state, higher ed and furloughs (12-2-2010)
- Polished knife still cuts deep into state’s budget (11-28-2010)
- Expect Sandoval to flex his newfound political capital on his anti-tax pledge (11-10-2010)
- Let Sandoval take heat for budget, Democrats say (11-5-2010)
- Brian Sandoval defeats Rory Reid in governor’s race, now must govern (11-2-2010)
- $2.5 billion state budget deficit: ‘Best-case scenario’ (4-23-2010)
To the delight of fiscal conservatives across the state, Jim Gibbons swept into the governor’s office four years ago. It was the culmination of an anti-tax crusade he had waged throughout his political career.
He had signed a no-new-tax pledge, spearheaded a constitutional amendment making it more difficult for the Legislature to increase taxes and had a lengthy record voting against taxes in Congress.
Despite Gibbons’ bona fides as an anti-tax governor, the state saw a record tax increase during his single term in office — an increase Gibbons was either powerless to stop or did little to prevent, depending on who tells the story.
Enter Gov. Brian Sandoval, by reputation a moderate Republican on social issues and the person who as attorney general fought the legal battle to raise taxes in 2003.
In an unlikely twist, Sandoval has become a hero of anti-tax advocates.
Here’s why:
Although he has a sparse record to support his promise not to raise taxes, Sandoval has been remarkably consistent with his vow to hold the line on revenue as the state deals with its budget crisis.
Conservatives think Sandoval is better positioned and better equipped to prevent another tax increase than Gibbons ever was. Sandoval has promised to engage in negotiations to persuade lawmakers — he has long-standing relationships with many of them — to pass his budget without a tax increase.
“Flat out, yes,” Assemblyman John Hambrick, R-Las Vegas, said when asked if Sandoval stands a better chance of preventing a tax increase than his predecessor. “Not only is he better equipped, personalitywise and negotiationwise, the numbers in the Legislature help him. And with Sen. (Bill) Raggio gone now, the governor is in a very good position.”
Democrats no longer have a veto-proof majority in the Assembly and are down one senator from 2009, when they ran roughshod over Gibbons’ budget.
The consistency of Sandoval’s anti-tax message has surprised some of his more moderate supporters, who assumed he was simply trying to get through a primary against two strongly anti-tax opponents.
But Sandoval was just as resolute after the primary, and has been since becoming governor.
Indeed, Sandoval and his team have worked to portray his antipathy toward taxes not merely as a campaign promise, but as a “deeply held belief” that raising taxes would worsen Nevada’s beleaguered economy.
That has somewhat mitigated concerns by conservatives that Sandoval’s reputation as a moderate will lead him to compromise in the heat of budget negotiations next session.
“We were waiting for that shoe to drop, especially after the Raggio experience,” said Chuck Muth, a conservative operative who works to wrangle anti-tax pledges out of the state’s elected officials.
He blames Raggio for breaking a vow he made not to raise taxes during his 2008 primary battle with conservative Sharron Angle.
Still, Sandoval faces a difficult political environment in the next session, going up against powerful lawmakers from both parties who have begun to line up behind the idea that additional revenue will be needed to spare government services from unacceptable cuts.
“I am concerned that all those things that Gov. Sandoval has brought to the table are not enough to beat back the majorities in the Legislature, which have pretty clearly and repeatedly indicated that it is their intention to raise taxes this session,” said former state Sen. Bob Beers, who was a resolutely anti-tax lawmaker.
Those with a more charitable view of Gibbons’ administration blame lawmakers for the 2009 tax increase, not Gibbons’ refusal to fight for his budget. “I don’t think anyone thinks that it was for a lack of anything other than a lack of enough legislative muscle to defeat the override of his veto,” Beers said.
However, Sandoval’s relationship with lawmakers who hold him in higher esteem than they did Gibbons, and his willingness to engage in the horse-trading ritual with those who have priorities beyond the budget could give him just enough might to defeat an override of his promised veto on a tax increase.
“They were willing to override because they had such a lousy relationship with Gibbons,” Muth said. “I don’t think you are going to see that with Sandoval. When it comes time to overriding that veto, I’m not so sure you can count on the same people voting for a tax increase to vote for an override.”
Hey Anjeanette Damon print the truth. Look it up. At the end of the last legislative session, Gibbons veto'd multiple tax increases including the massive vehicle registration. The Democrats had the votes to override every veto and they did. We keep re-electing the same people. We get what we deserve.
I agree BCDave, we have been playing this "no new taxes" song for years. So where are all those businesses that are lined up to come to Nevada? Why do we still lead the nation in unemployment? Why are we ranked in the bottom fifth in the nation in education and other quality of life issues?
That song just plays well in rural Nevada, to the people who will benefit from the tax money from Clark County residents. "Don't raise our taxes, but it's okay to raise taxes in Clark County". Will we ever learn?
greasy brian likes his campaign contributions...
in fact...
he likes campaign contribution more than the children of nevada...
case in point...
everybody knows we should raise taxes on mining...
they literally strip the land...
then ship the profits to foreign countries...
so it is...
the children of nevada...
vs....
profits which wind up in foreigner's pockets...
kinda like how oil money winds up in the middle east...
seems like a simple choice...
but not for greasy brian...
greasy brian with the phony big toothed smile...
he loves his campaign contributions from mining...
more than the children of nevada...
wake the f up nevada...
we need to repeal greasy brian...
and...
RAISE TAXES ON MINING!!!
Governance and pledges of "no new taxes"should not be confused as one and the same thing. Good government is the end and taxation is only one means to that end.
A lot of people in the Republican Party have to wake up and focus more on governance and not the mindless "no new taxes" answer (what was the question?)
The government and its functions need to be adequately funded. Rory had a plan. This guy is a flamethrower who doesn't look extreme. He has already caused taxes to rise by his intention to steal funds from basic local government thus leading to tax increases of some kind or else you may forget about local fire and police protection when those departments are gutted.
Gov Sandavol needs to "man up" and raise some taxes in Nevada, my reality based suggestions:
1. Raise taxes on the mining industry.
They pay very low taxes here anyway AND they can afford to pay much more because they make very good profits from mining in our state and leave us little except holes in the ground.
2. Legalize, regulate, and tax the hell out of the rampant prostitution in Las Vegas.
We already have legal brothels here in our state(and the Nevada brothel association has said they want to pay more taxes anyway) and Nevada can earn millions in tax plus greatly reduce the crime that comes with the unregulated sex industry in the city.
Well Gov Sandoval? If you and your staff are serious, then you need to do this.
Selah........
If Governor Sandoval wants to really cut excessive expenditures in the state he needs to start by addressing the illegal employment problem. At the very least 1 billion dollars could be saved by immediately implementing a law that would severely fine all business and individuals who employ undocumented and illegal aliens in this state. First offense would be a $10,000 fine, the second a stiff jail sentence and fine. With such a law in place there would be no jobs for the illegals, no need for them to remain in this state and thus the illegal invaders would be forced to leave. A second measure to implement no accommodation for illegal's in filling out any document or form in a second language is also needed. How about it Governor? Do you think you can do this for all of us who are legal Nevada residents and taxpayers? This is not rocket science Governor, just common sense!
I worked and retired after 30+ years as a teacher in the CCSD. I tried to give 100% effort every day I taught, I did my very best each and every day. I did not give 84% or 90% but a full 100% of my very best. Now, Governor Sandoval is proposing cutting the retirement I earned with 30 years work by 16%. I didn't cut back on my daily teaching efforts by 16%. I earned every penny of the retirement through hard work, dedication to my students and loyalty to the CCSD and state. I dedicated my life to being a teacher and accepted the lower salary and benefits that came with the job because I truly loved teaching. Governor Sandoval is a double, maybe a triple dipper. He was a state government officer and earned PERS retirement credit, he was a federal judge and earned federal governmental retirement benefits and perks I could only dream of. In addition, he is entitled to social security for his work as a former private attorney. He has earned retirement benefits appropriate to the positions he filled; no one is denying that. But, will Governor Sandoval surrender 16% of each of these retirement packages and entitlements in fairness to me and all other currently retired state public employees whose previously earned retirements he wants to reduce? In my case a reduction of 16% of my retirement is basically a loss of one whole month's earnings of limited income for me. There are older teachers who retired earlier accumulated far less retirement because lower salaries earned during their tenure in the classroom. I am looking for neither pity nor sympathy, but think this is one hell of a way to reward teachers; one more way to stick it to them!
The idea of solving state budget problems by attacking public employee salaries, retirement and benefits begins in state history with the regime of Governor Paul Laxalt; Laxalt instituted the Dodge Act prohibiting strikes by public employees, especially teachers; this policy was continue through each of the administrations of Republican Governors of Ed Fike and Kenny Guinn. Sandoval's proposed cut of retirement pay of those already retired by 16% is illogical and ludicrous when there are many other primary ways to reduce the state budget. For one, there have been massive abuses by firefighters, police, school administrators, state government officers, judges and career politicians at state, county and city levels. Abuses such as vacation pay, payment for unused sick leave days, excessive overtime pay, health and life insurance benefits, plus other perks and bonuses are damaging PERS and the state budget. University coaches can coach for five years and then when they quit or fired are still eligible to buy an additional 5 years of PERS credit and retire with 75% of their total salary which can amount to hundreds of thousands of dollars of retirement pay. This kind of packing on additional benefits in the retirement packages of selected employee groups is accounting for billions of dollars in funds being stolen by this system of special rewards. The governor should start with this problem before attempting to reduce or eliminate the retirement of teachers and other loyal lower echelon public employees. Do your job governor and end the corruption of those using PERS to enrich temselves, don't take it out on the honest, hardworking, loyal and dependable average state public employee like teachers, clerks,etc. Look at the big money makers robbing PERS every day.
State level politicians are faced with a dilemma all over the US.. This is NOT a Nevada-Only issue. The choices are simple.... RAISE REVENUE (TAXES) or CUT SERVICES - PERIOD. Most states are bound BY LAW to balance their budgets. SO, make the choice.... go to the people (especially the wealthy) and tell them that their is no choice..
Politicians may end up out on the street but better them than whole major cities collapsing across the country. That's what's coming - and soon. AND, all these morons that believe in fiction of tax cuts RAISING REVENUE need to take a hike over to Grampy's McSame's new ranch project and ask for a job... (hint: The NEW Thunder Dome)..
vsestini,
I had not heard about that proposed cut to retired employees. Can you post the links to those articles so I can read them? That proposition has not made the mainstream articles that I have read to this point. Maybe he is trying to slip that one by. What an a-hole!
Lotterys have made $100 millions for other States that have used them.
I believe the 'Large Benefit Footprint', i.e. many smaller ~$10,000 prizes would be more desirable than one huge glut of money to one person which can never be fully appreciated. Then, there would be many, many winners to publicize and more people would reap the benefits.
Better to see 100 people get $10,000 than one person $1,000,000.
Lotterys make too much sense and the government is in the casinos pockets anyway. They are also in the mining pockets so you know what we can expect.
Sandoval said that he would not take the 6% increase in his salary, which is commendable, but what about the 20 - 40% increase that gibbons gave to his office staff. Have they given that up yet??? Of course not.
Come on leaders. Step up (or is it MAN UP now?)to the plate and get rid of illegals and you would have more backing from your TRUE Americans. Quit GIVING my money away to people who are breaking the law by being here. I can't even pay for my health care much less for the illegals also.
Hope everyone who voted for the one with the RIGHT STUFF will be happy after everything goes down and all middle class are making less than the poverty level.
And all you that think ALL government employees make 6 figure incomes from working or when retired need to do a reality check. I am medically disabled, which means that I CAN NOT work so my fixed income is all that I get. Tell you what. When it gets to where all I can buy is cat food to eat I will have a house warming and everyone can come over and have dinner.
Here's one for you. Set a 15 - 20% federal income tax on everyone. Does not matter who you are or what you own. NO DEDUCTIONS. That way EVERYONE pays equally. But again too sensible like the lotterys. That would pay for all the government, including the states, with plenty left over.
vsestini... Gov. Ed Fike? I think u mean Bob List. Fike was a Lt. Gov under Laxalt, but then lost to O'Callihan.
Taxation is theft which corrupts society -- criminalize it and make Nevada the NO TAX State.
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"Governor Sandoval is proposing cutting the retirement I earned with 30 years work by 16%."
The person who posted this is either a liar or just plain dumb.
Sandoval can't cut your retirement even if he wanted too.
guns4hire...
you might want to at least make an effort to understand in some small measure the issue your commenting on.
4 years of B.S. will be a tough slog.
Does he have a string in his back that someone is in charge of pulling?
"No taxes!"
"Vouchers, GOOD!"
"I'm optimistic!"
"We all need to be paid less!"
"I LOVE Gaming & Mining! They pull my strings!"
"Taxes will NOT be raised!"
"It feels GOOD to be in someone's hip-pocket!"
"Cake for everyone!"
"The liberal legislature ran roughshod over Gibbons' fiscal conservativism". I guess that about says it. Sandoval won't have as much resistance from the legislature. Sandoval sticks by his word, too, and that's refreshing.