If only Republican leaders in the Legislature knew how to hit a big, fat, juicy softball over the fence. Or even back to the pitcher’s mound, for that matter. I mean, it doesn’t get handed to you on a silver platter any better than this – and yet what passes for GOP leadership in the Legislature is completely AWOL.
I’m talking about, of course, Democrats who tax too much. Or more to the point, Democrats who want to tax even more. This legislative session could be and should be a campaign bonanza for Republicans – if they would just reach out and take it.
We all know that Senate Higher Taxation Committee Chairman Bob Coffin wants to raise taxes on everything but the air we breathe (give him time). But he’s not the only Democrat who is on record supporting a massive tax hike this legislative session.
Indeed, in a Las Vegas Review Journal story today, reporter Molly Ball asked Democrat Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford if raising taxes this session was going to be necessary. Horsford’s unequivocal response: “Absolutely.” He went on to say, “I think it’s time to talk about a broad-based business tax.”
Hello?
Meanwhile, in a Las Vegas Sun story today David McGrath Schwartz asked Democrat State Controller Kim Wallin about borrowing money to avoid budget cuts. To which the Democrat replied that that would just “put off the inevitable – we have to raise taxes.”
Hello?
I’m sure Republican Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio and Republican Assembly Minority Leader Heidi Gansert will issue an appropriate press release slamming Leader Horsford and Controller Wallin for these tax-hike statements any second now. Any second. Any. . . .
Why aren’t Republican legislators all over these statements like stink on poop? Do they really think the public wants higher taxes – even after this week’s huge anti-tax Tea Party rallies? Are the GOP’s elected leaders clueless, incompetent or political Gumby’s? Or are they maybe registered with the wrong party? Inquiring minds wanna know.
