Better Nevada Government Not Necessarily More Government
By: Doug Busselman, Executive Vice President
In a postmortem evaluation of the 2011 Nevada Legislature, there are a number of areas which could have been dealt with differently to arrive at a better place – even though getting to the end in the shape we arrived wasn’t as bad as it could have turned out to be. Each Nevada Legislature takes on its own theme and all those involved tend to assess that particular session on the basis of what might have been done to you…or what might have turned out well.
In reviewing the evaluation that others have made and comparing their thinking to my own, I found a few ideas that I would agree with in this piece by Jon Ralston in the Las Vegas Sun. Whether I agree with Mr. Ralston or not, I (and I think lots of others) are always interested in reading or hearing the thoughts he has pertaining to the political beat he covers.
In regard to his ideas on ways to improve the Nevada Legislative process, I would strongly agree with the details of the operational process, especially the rules for bills staying dead and a more transparent “waiting process” for bills to be reviewed before processing.
The idea of better compensation for legislators, may or may not be something worth considering. From my point of view, the higher pay isn’t as much about a conflict of interest issue as it would be for opening the field for others who might want to give this type of public service a try, but can’t afford to even consider taking the time off a real job to become a representative of their respective area.
On the notion of having a “full-time” Legislature – and an annual session…I would draw the line and respectfully repeat my contention that “better government is not more government.”
As we examine the way in which our society has evolved to frequently considering government as a solution (instead of being the problem) – having too much legislative attention to our daily lives is one of the reasons. When legislators get together to legislate – they legislate. Of the 586 Assembly bills and the 510 Senate legislative proposals…we’re very fortunate not all of those concepts got enacted! I’ve remarked on more than one occasion we are lucky to not have all the government we have to pay for (although my view of that is changing as government gets more intrusive and efficient in being as controlling as they are figuring out…)
Although I’ve been in Nevada’s Legislative process one session short of Ralston’s start in 1987, I’ve lived and experienced the state legislative process where annual get-togethers turn into they-never-seem-to-leave systems. It’s part of the problem we have with Congress and a federal government intent on becoming a national government. (I’m in strong agreement that the worse thing for our republic was the invention of air-conditioning because now our elected “representatives” can stay working in the Belt Way, all year around. Once upon a time they left to escape the sweltering summers on the Potomac. Now, they keep working to “help us” beyond the degree they ought – and we need.)
Nevada’s Legislative process could use reform attention, but the emphasis should be on how we get better – not more.
In a postmortem evaluation of the 2011 Nevada Legislature, there are a number of areas which could have been dealt with differently to arrive at a better place – even though getting to the end in the shape we arrived wasn’t as bad as it could have turned out to be. Each Nevada Legislature takes on its own theme and all those involved tend to assess that particular session on the basis of what might have been done to you…or what might have turned out well.
In reviewing the evaluation that others have made and comparing their thinking to my own, I found a few ideas that I would agree with in this piece by Jon Ralston in the Las Vegas Sun. Whether I agree with Mr. Ralston or not, I (and I think lots of others) are always interested in reading or hearing the thoughts he has pertaining to the political beat he covers.
In regard to his ideas on ways to improve the Nevada Legislative process, I would strongly agree with the details of the operational process, especially the rules for bills staying dead and a more transparent “waiting process” for bills to be reviewed before processing.
The idea of better compensation for legislators, may or may not be something worth considering. From my point of view, the higher pay isn’t as much about a conflict of interest issue as it would be for opening the field for others who might want to give this type of public service a try, but can’t afford to even consider taking the time off a real job to become a representative of their respective area.
On the notion of having a “full-time” Legislature – and an annual session…I would draw the line and respectfully repeat my contention that “better government is not more government.”
As we examine the way in which our society has evolved to frequently considering government as a solution (instead of being the problem) – having too much legislative attention to our daily lives is one of the reasons. When legislators get together to legislate – they legislate. Of the 586 Assembly bills and the 510 Senate legislative proposals…we’re very fortunate not all of those concepts got enacted! I’ve remarked on more than one occasion we are lucky to not have all the government we have to pay for (although my view of that is changing as government gets more intrusive and efficient in being as controlling as they are figuring out…)
Although I’ve been in Nevada’s Legislative process one session short of Ralston’s start in 1987, I’ve lived and experienced the state legislative process where annual get-togethers turn into they-never-seem-to-leave systems. It’s part of the problem we have with Congress and a federal government intent on becoming a national government. (I’m in strong agreement that the worse thing for our republic was the invention of air-conditioning because now our elected “representatives” can stay working in the Belt Way, all year around. Once upon a time they left to escape the sweltering summers on the Potomac. Now, they keep working to “help us” beyond the degree they ought – and we need.)
Nevada’s Legislative process could use reform attention, but the emphasis should be on how we get better – not more.
Posted by Doug Busselman at 6/20/2011 9:15 AM 
Categories: Government
Tags: Government Nevada Legislature
Categories: Government
Tags: Government Nevada Legislature
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