Gov. Jim Gibbons’ statement on tax bill vetoes

Thursday, May 28, 2009 | 6:17 p.m.

Gov. Jim Gibbons released the following statement Thursday evening:

“It is a sad day, but a historic day for the citizens of Nevada. I appreciate the hard work a handful of conservative legislators did, with some success, trying to control the “out of control spending” and crushing tax hikes of the liberal leadership in the Legislature.

But in the end, with all things carefully considered, and with the best interests of our state and our people at heart, I find this budget is a job-killing, economy-crushing insult to the working families of Nevada. Nevada deserves a government that works for the people, not against them.

I will stand up and fight for the working people that define the character of this state, and the businesses small and large that power our economy, because we all deserve the freedom to choose life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, rather than the tyranny of oppressive government and oppressive taxes barging farther into our lives and taking out money through higher taxes. Raising taxes during an economic crisis is foolish and shortsighted.

I made a promise a long time ago that I intend to keep. No new taxes. The legislature has chosen to waste their time and your money creating a budget filled with a billion dollars in new taxes that will hurt every single person in this state.

I will now stand up for what I believe in and VETO these new taxes. The legislature will work to override my veto. These new taxes are neither Republican nor Democratic issues, they are Nevada issues, and raising taxes on the hardworking people of this state is just plain wrong.

I ask every legislator to consider this, before they vote. Do the people of the state of Nevada, (PAUSE) hardworking people, deserve your devastating tax hikes at a time when they are struggling to get by with less? With food prices up, gas prices up, energy prices up, virtually all the basic necessities of life costing more, will your vote help the people you represent? Or will your vote lead to more taxes, layoffs, more foreclosures, and more MISERY for the people relying on you to help them?

The liberal leadership in the legislature took the easy way out with these bills. They want more money from citizens who have less!

Well, count me out! I will have no part of it and I encourage legislators to re-think the devastating burden these bills will place on the people of Nevada and take a stand on the side of the people!

As I said, I will now stand up for what I believe in and I will stand up for the working families of Nevada by VETOING these new taxes.”