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Wednesday, June 1, 2011 | 2:09 p.m.
Carolyn Goodman claims Chris Giunchigliani wants to raise taxes in Las Vegas. Giunchigliani claims Goodman is misleading voters and acting like a hypocrite.
With less than a week before election day, the race for Las Vegas mayor is heating up and turning ugly.
Giunchigliani on Wednesday struck back at Goodman's latest attack on her tax record, calling Goodman's ads inaccurate.
Goodman recently released a television commercial and mailer that accuse Giunchigliani of wanting to raise city taxes.
"A Giunchigliani administration would suck taxpayers dry," a voice in the television spot says. Giunchigliani "votes for higher taxes for us and repeated pay raises for politicians like herself."
Goodman quotes Giunchigliani as saying that she'd be open to the idea of a tax hike, an accurate statement. But a tax increase in Las Vegas is highly unlikely as the mayor no power to raise taxes.
In fact, Giunchigliani called several of Goodman's facts skewed.
Goodman, who in the past has supported Giunchigliani, claims in the ad that Giunchigliani voted in favor of pay raises for politicians. But Giunchigliani's campaign points out that the Clark County commissioner voted to freeze her salary in 2008 and 2009 and cut it in 2010.
Giunchigliani added that Mayor Oscar Goodman voted to more than double the salary for the next mayor, who could be his wife.
Giunchigliani's campaign also noted that an $836 million tax plan voted for by Giunchigliani and criticized by Goodman was passed with a two-thirds majority by the state Legislature. The bill was supported by both Democrats and Republicans, and a Republican governor signed it.
Goodman released the tax ads after Giunchigliani aired a commercial accusing Goodman of being out of touch with people facing foreclosure. Goodman also called Giunchigliani's ad misleading and inaccurate.
There should be a regulation passed, that candidates running for office, will NOT use negative campaigning, in any way!
It seems that Carolyn Goodman is running for Mayor, so that her husband can stay in power, through a third party.
There's nothing Carolyn Goodman can do or say that would convince me that 1) she knows what she's talking about; 2) that she is qualified for the job of Mayor; 3) and that she would be anything other than puppet for her term limited husband should she be elected. To me, this race is a no-brainer.
She does want to raise taxes. I didn't know that was a secret...
Goodman's ad is disingenuous to say the least. The mayor and the city council have absolutely no power to raise taxes. Not only would Giunchigliani not be able to do so, but she has repeatedly stated her intention (and plans) to cut costs, consolidate services, and reduce the size of government. What about that sounds like it's going to cost more money?
Goodman's ad claims that Giunchigliani voted to give herself a pay raise. What she doesn't tell you is that State law prohibits any elected official from voting to raise his or her own salary during the term of office he or she was elected to. Nor does she tell you that Giunchigliani voted to FREEZE her salary in 2009 and 2010 or that she voted to cut it in 2011.
Goodman's ad claims that Giunchigliani voted to raise taxes while she served in the Nevada Assembly. What Goodman doesn't tell you is that the measure received a two-thirds vote of approval by Democrats and Republicans in both houses of the legislature and was signed by a Republican governor nor does she tell you that her big endorser, the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce supported it as well. Goodman doesn't tell you that Giunchigliani voted to put a cap on property taxes, protecting Las Vegas homeowners from thousands of dollars in tax increases.
If I could speak to Goodman (which I can't because, unlike Chris, she doesn't have her contact information posted on any of her campaign materials or website - and most of her sites are moderated so you can't leave a comment they don't approve of) I would say that her claim that she's a "consensus builder" rings very, very hollow.
Seriously the mayor has ZERO ability to raise taxes!
Can't raise fees either as one person alone - it is a vote of seven member of city council.
Carolyn Goodman is not qualified so she is striking fear into voters who don't understand Nevada's constitution.
Chris G. has never seen a union contract that she felt was generous enough to the workers. She will *not* protect the interests the average citizen of Las Vegas.
Just who does Goodman think believes her spew?
Mrs. Goodman must not be so sure her vast polling lead actually exists. Maybe getting a little nervous. But that's what happens when you ride on your husband's coat tails rather than on one's own accomplishments.
People? What we need here in Vegas is the PR machine of the Goodmans...get rid of Oscar and we will have less tourism...Oscar helps bring them in he personifies what Vegas means to people outside of here....The Mob , Casinos , Drinking Party town!!! Let's not make a mistake...anyways what power does a Mayor have other than being a MOUTHPIECE? He is a symbol of Las Vegas...Keep him there by electing his wife.