Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Kids deserve better from Brian Sandoval

A part of me — a tiny part — wants to feel a jigger of sympathy for Brian Sandoval. Not too much, but a little. You simply can’t get elected governor in Nevada, or maybe anywhere in America now, by telling the truth — by admitting that the state’s tax system, while not especially volatile in good times, isn’t doing the trick anymore.

So you promise not to raise taxes, to veto any taxes proposed, and, if you want a second term, you stick to that position like it actually makes sense.

I get it: He’s in a tough position.

But I’m not all that sympathetic; I’m a little outraged.

Because he did seek the governorship, at the worst fiscal juncture in memory, and because landing the job brings responsibilities beyond trying to assure your re-election. You’re supposed to look after the people you govern, even on occasion save them from themselves.

Instead, last week, according to a Sun story by Anthony Ramirez, a Sandoval emissary warned education leaders that schools at every level had better brace for cuts deeper than 10 percent. (The governor unveils his budget Jan. 24.) Outgoing Clark County Schools Superintendent Walt Rulffes was “profoundly pessimistic,” Ramirez wrote.

I feel ya, Walt. It seems ridiculous.

Yeah, yeah — what do I know? I’m not an economist. Then again, I’m not a doctor, but I can see the folly of trying to amputate your way to good health.

Nonetheless, once again, the state’s leader has decreed that taxes are entirely off the table. So, once again — allow me to predict the obvious — come February in Carson City, lawmakers will gas on through another legislative farce, applying Band-Aids and stopgaps, cowed into more temporary fixes by those who insist that trying to permanently repair the tax structure will dampen business growth. (I’ve lived here four decades, people; I’ve earned my cynicism.)

Look around. We’ve had a business-friendly, low-tax environment forever, and we’re still in a mess. Quoting economist John Restrepo from another Sun story (see below), “Touting ourselves as a low-tax state as the only reason people want to come here has proved to be a failure.”

Profoundly pessimistic?

Absolutely. You should be, too.

But maybe with a jigger of wary hope.

Also last week, the Sun’s Buck Wargo reported on a study prepared by 40 business leaders who agreed that Nevada needs a strong education system to attract business and diversify our economy.

Well. Apply palm to forehead.

“If low taxes were all we needed, and we have been touting that, we wouldn’t have a 15 percent unemployment rate,” Restrepo said, exhibiting the kind of common sense that’ll get you nowhere in Nevada.

The report was titled “Nevada: 50th in the Nation for Education.” I hope it does more than collect dust on a state bookshelf, but I have my profound pessimism. I’ll be happy to be proven wrong.

Lastly, a disclosure: My wife is an elementary school principal, but that’s not my biggest conflict of interest in criticizing education cuts. She can take care of herself. (I’m sure she’d tell lawmakers what she tells me: “Put on your big-girl panties and get it done.”) No, my biggest conflicts are the two sons who’ll be in college here next year, and a granddaughter who’ll start school a few years hence — I want them to benefit from an education system that hasn’t been pecked down to the dirt. We all should want that for every kid.

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