Horsford: ‘Extreme right-wing interests (trying) to dismantle our state’

By Jon Ralston

Thursday, Jan. 6, 2011 | 11:03 a.m.

"Some things are worth fighting for," state Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford sent this out a short time ago:

When Nevada's legislature returns to session on February 7, we will face an unprecedented budget crisis and incredibly hard choices. As State Senate Majority Leader, I will be keeping you informed about the decisions being made and how they impact you and your family.

Sadly, extreme right-wing interests are lining up to use the budget crisis to dismantle our state.

To me, some things are worth fighting for - like our kids' education, keeping promises to retirees and preserving an already fragile safety net for struggling working families.

I did not enter public service to slash funding for our schools or leave our most vulnerable citizens without care. That's why I will fight every day to protect Nevada families from the extreme agenda that threatens our future.

With so much at stake, I hope you will help me keep Nevadans informed by referring your friends, family and co-workers. We have to work together to ensure we all have a bright future in Nevada. I'll be reaching out to you frequently with updates about the decisions being made. Please help me expand our list so more Nevadans are kept informed.

Thank you for your help at this critical time.

UPDATE: The Senate GOP responded late Thursday:

enate Republicans Respond to Horsford’s Irresponsible Name Calling

(LAS VEGAS, NV ) Senate Republicans today responded to Senate Leader Steven Horsford’s irresponsible and inaccurate remarks suggesting that “extreme right-wing interests are lining up to use the budget crisis to dismantle our state”.

“On the heels of Governor Sandoval’s inclusive Inaugural remarks and in the midst of legislative Republicans signaling a willingness to work with Democrats to deal with some incredibly difficult issues, Senator Horsford’s comments are both strange and troubling”, said Senate Republican Leader Mike McGinness. “Just two months ago voters from coast to coast sent a clear message that they wanted to put the partisan bickering behind and get all elected leaders working toward a smaller, more efficient government. This kind of statement flies in the face of everything that should have been learned from Nevada voters”.

Horsford’s email, which was circulated widely and attracted media attention, failed to list a single “extreme right wing interest” or a single example of efforts to “use the budget crisis to dismantle the state”. In fact, the email included plenty of political spin but not a single legislative solution.

Last August, Horsford was chastised for engaging in a “pay to play” fundraising scheme that offered to sell private access to key Committee Chairmen in exchange for big bucks. A columnist for the Las Vegas Review Journal called Horsford’s pay to play scheme “a new low in Nevada”. Horsford eventually returned the tainted money.

“Senate Republicans have been working hard to look for solutions to a budget crisis caused by over-spending State revenues. We are working with interested leaders from all parties and ideologies, seeking better ways to improve government and save taxpayer money”, added Assistant Senate Republican Leader Barbara Cegavske. “This is no time for name calling and no time to reject any idea simply because of who it came from. This is a time for Nevada to come together, put aside petty partisan bickering and start working together to put people back to work and our economy back on track”.

Voters in November sent a clear message that they want to put an end to job-killing taxes and bloated government and it is clear that voters want elected leaders more worried about fixing problems than gaining partisan advantages. Republicans in the Nevada Senate got the message and are committed to working with Governor Sandoval, Lt. Governor Krolicki and Democrat legislators willing to put Nevada ahead of name calling.