State GOP Chair: Democrats should join call to pull raises

Monday, June 16, 2008 | 4:02 p.m.

Sue Lowden puts out a statement that tries to put Democrats on the spot and happily quotes all the media calls for the special session, even if they did not, as she does, say pulling the COLAs is a good idea. Here's her statement:

Lowden Calls on Democrats to Join Republicans in Supporting Taxpayers

Las Vegas, NV: Today, Nevada Republican Party Chairwoman Sue Lowden issued the following statement regarding the Governor’s call for a special session of the legislature. She also provides some excerpts from Nevada newspapers and their editorial and column writers from over the weekend.

“Nevada, like many other states, is facing a severe economic downturn. It is important that we share in the responsibility to protect the taxpayers during these very difficult times. Nevada’s working families are paying high gas bills and grocery bills. Many have lost their homes to foreclosure. And, throughout most of our economic sectors, many are losing their health care benefits … or worse, their jobs.

“If we squeeze the taxpayers any further, we will not have the ability to provide our state with the revenues it needs to fund our essential services. If Nevadans are not working, they are not generating income. If they are not generating income, they are unable to spend money and pay taxes. Worse, they become more dependent on government programs at a time revenues are already down.

“During these difficult times, it would send a horrible and defeating message to provide our state employees with a nearly 10 percent pay increase, while others are losing their homes, health care and jobs. We have to do all we can to ensure that we fight our way out of these times together, so that we can once again all share in the prosperity Nevada knows best. That prosperity has been felt throughout Nevada over the last several decades with enormous population growth, job growth, improved quality of life and affordability for new families to arrive, work, prosper and retire here.

“Now is not the time to make matters worse for our taxpayers by unfairly and irresponsibly benefitting the government employees who work for them. Now is the time for our leaders to show working families just where they stand. It’s ‘put-up or shut-up’ time for our state leaders, and hardworking families will be watching.”

MANY OTHER NEVADANS AGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR’S CALL FOR A SPECIAL SESSION:

“If the greatest financial crisis in state history — not just this biennium with 15 percent of budget at risk, but yet another billion dollars in the next cycle — does not merit a special session, what does?”

- Jon Ralston, Las Vegas Sun Column (6/15/08)

“The good news is that our governor … has called for a special session of the Legislature on June 23 to address the financially devastating situation …”

- Brian Greenspun, Las Vegas Sun Publisher – Column (6/15/08)

“ A special session should be a last resort. But why would legislative Democrats who previously complained about being ignored when the governor was forced to adjust the budget over the past six months now reject the opportunity to be heard?

Deep down, many (Democrats) believe the budget solution must involve higher taxes, but they're not willing to take that chance with the electorate.”

- Las Vegas Review-Journal Editorial, Sunday (6/15/08)

“Despite resistance from many lawmakers, Gov. Jim Gibbons was right to call the Legislature into a special session, which is to begin on June 23.”

- Reno Gazette-Journal Editorial, Sunday (6/15/08)