Reconsider tax pledge, Governor

Jeff Belcher, Henderson

Thursday, June 12, 2008 | 2:01 a.m.

The biggest story in Nevada is our budget shortfall and the need to cut services to balance the budget. Gov. Jim Gibbons pledged during his election campaign that he would not raise taxes — ever. So far he seems to have held to that promise, and the debate goes on as to whether that is a smart move or not.

What is not a smart move is a suggestion to sell off, or “securitize,” the annual tobacco money the state started getting several years ago that was supposed to go strictly for health care costs associated with tobacco use.

Well, we all know that money has been put to other uses, none of which has to do with health care costs. The Millennium Scholarship is one of several programs that, while worthy, should probably never have been funded with the tobacco money. But it was, and to now suggest that we take the dedicated funding of this immensely popular and effective program away and sell that funding off, at a huge discount no less, is even dumber. We will still have this program next year, but the funding will have been sold at the “Governor’s Garage Sale,” and the budget will be in even worse shape next year.

Here’s another idea the governor might want to try that is just as ludicrous: Why not go to one of the payday loan stores on every corner in Las Vegas and get a huge short-term loan? The fees and interest rates won’t be any worse than the rip-off we would endure selling off the tobacco funding.

Back to the governor’s stubborn refusal to reconsider his pledge of no new taxes. He gave his word. He promised. He can’t change his mind. Funny, I bet Dawn Gibbons believed him when he said “I do” those many years ago. While his marriage is his personal life and he can do as he wishes (and thanks, Governor, for paying the state back for all those text messages), he seems to have changed his mind about that solemn promise, so why not reconsider the wisdom of his no-taxes pledge?

C’mon, Governor, as you well know, circumstances change and what seemed good and right in the past may no longer be the best choice. Open your mind and look at all the options, including tax increases.

Jeff Belcher, Henderson