(Annie Black) – Yesterday, Connecticut announced that it’s “lifting ALL capacity limits on restaurants, retail, libraries, personal services, indoor recreation, gyms, museums, offices & houses of worship.”
This follows announcements earlier this week that Texas and Mississippi are fully reopening at 100% capacity with no mandatory mask orders.
Yet Nevada’s legislative leaders are are still blocking the doors into the Legislature.
After having my motion to reopen the legislative building to the public on Tuesday ignored by the Speaker Pro Tem, the proverbial “powers that be” got together and came up with a variety of legalistic excuses and arcane “rules” to keep the padlocks on the doors.
On Wednesday, I was advised by Legislative Counsel Bureau Director Brenda Erdoes that in her opinion my motion “was not in order because a motion is not the proper form for making such a proposal.”
I disagree with that opinion, but will soldier on in our effort to get every legislator on record as either supporting keeping you out of the building or letting you in. Of greater concern, however, was the following in Ms. Erdoes’ reply…
“The Legislative Building has been closed to the public since before the beginning of the Legislative Session by me, as Director of the Legislative Counsel Bureau, under the authority granted to the Director pursuant to title 17 of the Nevada Revised Statutes.”
The implication here is that legislators have no say in whether or not to open the peoples’ house to the people; that that power rests entirely in the hands of one unelected government official, much like the “emergency” powers Gov. Sisolak has claimed for himself in shutting down our state.
Which reminds me…
My bill (ACR2) calling on the Legislature to end the Sisolak Shutdown was officially introduced last night. Here’s the bottom line…
“RESOLVED by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate concurring, that the Legislature, pursuant to its authority under NRS 414.070, hereby terminates the emergency described in the Declaration of Emergency for COVID-19 issued by the Governor on March 12, 2020.”
And guess what happened?
The bill was immediately “Placed on the Chief Clerk’s desk” by Assembly Speaker Jason Frierson.
What does that mean? It means it won’t be assigned to a committee. Which means it won’t even get a hearing, let alone a vote.
The Sisolak Shutdown has destroyed businesses, cost people their jobs, harmed students, disrupted families and wreaked havoc on our budget.
But most of my legislative colleagues – Democrats and Republicans alike – won’t even discuss the effectiveness or constitutionality of these “emergency” Directives, let alone go on record voting for or against them.
They’re not representing YOU. They’re representing the governor.
- If legislators want to keep Nevada shut down, fine. But they should vote on it, not hide behind Gov. Sisolak.
- If legislators want to keep students out of classrooms, fine. But they should vote on it, not hide behind the teachers’ unions.
- If legislators want to keep you out of the Legislature, fine. But they should vote on it, not hide behind Ms. Erdoes.
Legislators are elected to vote on issues that have an impact on the constituents they represent. And nothing has had a greater negative impact on the lives and livelihoods of Nevada citizens than how our state has been mismanaged during the COVID crisis.
It’s time for every Nevada legislator to show us their cards and let you know where they stand.
You know where I stand.
With you. And the Constitution. And I will not quit.
In the immortal of Capt. John Paul Jones, “I have not yet begun to fight.”
How about you?
From the AnnieGram Mailbag
“I appreciate the David and Goliath mentality you bring us citizens. Your tenacity is much needed. Great work!” – Rich Killinger
“Where are the OTHER Republicans, both in the Senate and the Assembly? (Why are they) NOT rising in protest?” – Len Marciano
QUOTES OF THE DAY
“If any Dr. Seuss books offended you, trust me, YOU are the problem.” – David Henry
“I’m sick of lockdowns and so are you. They don’t work, the data proves it. So I introduced a bill that would prevent national lockdowns and require states to provide a reopening plan before they get bailout money for state governments. The End Lockdowns Now Act.” – Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX)
“The one thing that gives a liberal nightmares is a conservative who won’t be bullied. Make no mistake, the left wants to strip your rights from you. I won’t let them and that makes them furious.” – Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC)
“The teachers’ unions are the single biggest obstacle to black youngsters getting a decent education – and among the biggest donors to the Democrats.” – Thomas Sowell
Annie Black is the Nevada State Assemblywoman representing District 19. You can get more information by visiting www.electannieblack.com
