Strong Showing Of Non-Tax Increase Solutions Gaining Momentum
By: Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President
For several weeks the media feeding frenzy has been focusing on the automatic conclusion that anything other than heavy-duty tax increases would be the only possible outcome for the 2011 Nevada Legislature. Champions of growing government and taxing Nevada business enterprises to whatever extent required for sufficient state resources to finance their spending excesses seemed to have held center stage. Between a couple of major Nevada newspapers, who have never seen a tax increase they didn’t support, and tax-eaters who are completely reliant on taking other people’s money for their benefit – there didn’t seem much air left in the room for conversations about fiscal responsibility and state government living within its current means.
Once again the thoughtful analysis of the Nevada Policy Research Institute has helped regain a sense of balance. This report on the positive outcomes that can result from fixing our state’s out-of-control budget setting process seems to have captured the attention of state policy makers, just at the right time.
With Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval only a few days away from the announcement of his proposed budget and the start of the pre-legislative session committee meetings to begin the consideration of the state’s spending plans – this re-focusing of the public debate to remind us that part of the solution rest in reform of the process…is a great thing. We fully understand that when the Sandoval budget proposal comes out there will be a whole new set of wails and moans from those who can’t believe cutting spending is even possible – let alone a good solution to anything. We also recognize that some of the specifics that could be included won’t be any less painful for us and our areas of interests.
In spite of the anxiety over reshaping a future with less government, the alternative of even greater tax burdens on targeted sources is a far greater bad approach. We’re seeing how well government’s solutions to economic prosperity – taxing and spending – are weakening even further our economic well-being as a state.
Those who understand that government is not capable of building an economy by taking from those who have earned to give to those with their hands out need to stand firmly and vocally behind a Governor who has indicated he will not support increased taxes.
We know those who oppose this common-sense and responsible approach will not go quietly ahead in accepting this outcome.
Unlike the past couple of legislative sessions, where the majority party has run rough-shod over the interests of the state’s private sector to take care of their public sector benefactors, we now have the ability to obtaining a substantially more balanced product. Using the legislators who are available, to hold out for a better budget process and assurances that all funds expended will deliver acceptable returns, we will achieve the necessary improvements which could get us over the hump with a much better result than the automatic increases for spending the current system is wired to deliver.
For several weeks the media feeding frenzy has been focusing on the automatic conclusion that anything other than heavy-duty tax increases would be the only possible outcome for the 2011 Nevada Legislature. Champions of growing government and taxing Nevada business enterprises to whatever extent required for sufficient state resources to finance their spending excesses seemed to have held center stage. Between a couple of major Nevada newspapers, who have never seen a tax increase they didn’t support, and tax-eaters who are completely reliant on taking other people’s money for their benefit – there didn’t seem much air left in the room for conversations about fiscal responsibility and state government living within its current means.
Once again the thoughtful analysis of the Nevada Policy Research Institute has helped regain a sense of balance. This report on the positive outcomes that can result from fixing our state’s out-of-control budget setting process seems to have captured the attention of state policy makers, just at the right time.
With Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval only a few days away from the announcement of his proposed budget and the start of the pre-legislative session committee meetings to begin the consideration of the state’s spending plans – this re-focusing of the public debate to remind us that part of the solution rest in reform of the process…is a great thing. We fully understand that when the Sandoval budget proposal comes out there will be a whole new set of wails and moans from those who can’t believe cutting spending is even possible – let alone a good solution to anything. We also recognize that some of the specifics that could be included won’t be any less painful for us and our areas of interests.
In spite of the anxiety over reshaping a future with less government, the alternative of even greater tax burdens on targeted sources is a far greater bad approach. We’re seeing how well government’s solutions to economic prosperity – taxing and spending – are weakening even further our economic well-being as a state.
Those who understand that government is not capable of building an economy by taking from those who have earned to give to those with their hands out need to stand firmly and vocally behind a Governor who has indicated he will not support increased taxes.
We know those who oppose this common-sense and responsible approach will not go quietly ahead in accepting this outcome.
Unlike the past couple of legislative sessions, where the majority party has run rough-shod over the interests of the state’s private sector to take care of their public sector benefactors, we now have the ability to obtaining a substantially more balanced product. Using the legislators who are available, to hold out for a better budget process and assurances that all funds expended will deliver acceptable returns, we will achieve the necessary improvements which could get us over the hump with a much better result than the automatic increases for spending the current system is wired to deliver.
Posted by Doug Busselman at 1/21/2011 12:27 PM 
Categories: 2011 Nevada Legislature
Tags: Nevada Budget and Spending 2011 Nevada Legislature Nevada Policy Research Institute
Categories: 2011 Nevada Legislature
Tags: Nevada Budget and Spending 2011 Nevada Legislature Nevada Policy Research Institute
How about we try cutting and see what happens? We've tried raising taxes and that's gotten us into a big mess.
Reply to this