Special session should test legislators

Thomas J. Shubbuck Sr., Las Vegas

Thursday, June 26, 2008 | 2:03 a.m.

Gov. Jim Gibbons has called a special session of the Legislature, and it provides a great opportunity for our elected officials to show their worth to the voters and the taxpayers.

I suggest the first day of the session consist of a seminar for all legislators and staff. The discussion and instruction would center on why legislators are elected by the public. There would be detailed emphasis on elected officials’ duties, responsibilities and accountability to the public. Finishing off the seminar would be an exam, the scores of which would be published in all Nevada newspapers.

The second day the governor should insist a new law be passed at the special session, one making it illegal for all elected officials and their staffs to have any contact whatsoever with registered lobbyists.

On the third day Gov. Gibbons should lock the chamber doors and direct the legislators to perform the duties and responsibilities they were expected to perform when elected. With so many wise men locked in the room we should expect our problems to be worked out in a very few days.

If elected officials cannot do the job right, they shouldn’t run for office and make promises to voters and taxpayers they can’t keep.