(Annie Black) – Don’t get me wrong. I understand this coronavirus threat is a serious and unprecedented situation. And I’m not saying you shouldn’t be taking precautions. You should. However…
Nevada Gov. Steve Sisolak’s shutdown orders have been confusing, contradictory and arguably violations of equal protection rights; where certain similar businesses have been ordered shut while others have been allowed to remain open.
At the same time, it’s clear tax revenue for government operations is drying up – and is only going to get worse.
“With the near total shutdown of businesses,” Gov. Sisolak wrote in a tweet Friday, “it is inevitable that decreased revenue will force the State to make tough choices.”
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported this morning that the governor has ordered “state agencies to start planning for cuts that could total nearly $700 million over the next two years.”
“All Nevadans will be making cuts to their budgets,” he added in a statement, “and we need to as well.”
He’s correct.
However, since the current budget was approved by the Legislature, the Legislature should also approve such drastic changes to it. That’s why all 63 elected members of the Legislature should be called into a Special Session, the sooner the better.
Something I called for two weeks ago.
We’re allowing too much power be placed in the hands of one man who clearly has no experience whatsoever dealing with a situation like this. That’s not a knock on the governor. NO ONE has ever had to deal with a situation like this.
But that’s all the more reason to bring more opinions, voices and experience into the process. Remember the old saying: “Two heads are better than one.”
Now, some have been saying we shouldn’t call a Special Session because of the health risk. But that’s no excuse.
Congress has met to deal with this situation after accommodating for social distancing. And the New York Legislature – Ground Zero for the virus! – has been meeting all this week. Here’s a photo if you don’t believe me.
There’s no reason similar precautions can’t be taken in Carson City.
As all of these serious decisions are being made – with potentially catastrophic consequences for our economy, families and small businesses – Assemblyman Chris Edwards (District 19), has been AWOL. Radio silent.
It’s long past time for Mr. Edwards to step up and start representing the interests and rights of those who elected him by publicly calling for a Special Session. Anything less is a dereliction of duty.
