(Annie Black) – Thank you for all your emails and phone calls to Democrat Majority Leader Teresa Benitez-Thompson (“TBT”) about her shutting down my floor statement last week on what death row inmate James Biela did to his victims.
I’ll give her credit. At least she responded, even though it was canned “non-answer” answers to your concerns. To some of you she wrote…
“Thank you for emailing. Mesquite has had some wonderful elected representatives whom I have had the pleasure of working with over a number of years. I hope your community is once again able to find an effective voice to advocate for your needs.”
Of course, I’d argue that if I wasn’t being an “effective voice” on your behalf, you wouldn’t have replaced my predecessor last year and wouldn’t be writing her in the first place. You’d be in the dark about what they’re doing…which is exactly as they’d prefer.
TBT also wrote to others…
“Conservative Republicans give speeches daily in the Nevada legislature, and participate in floor debates. I believe many of them are very effective in ensuring their values are voiced.”
The thing about this is that many, if not most, of such speeches aren’t addressing issues the Democrat majority doesn’t agree with. Many are simply “feel good” speeches. I try not to waste our strictly limited time like that and try to keep my remarks focused on more important business.
The bottom line is that TBT should not be acting as the “speech police” and only allowing remarks SHE thinks are “effective in ensuring” your values are being voiced. That’s for YOU to decide.
Some Quick Hits and Other Updates
* I attempted to have your comments on the “death with dignity” bill, as detailed in the last AnnieGram, officially submitted on the record. The committee chair hearing the bill, Assemblywoman Rochelle Nguyen, refused to accept them.
These folks have a REAL problem hearing opinions that don’t agree with theirs.
* AB376 would essentially make Nevada a “sanctuary state” for illegal immigration. As reported by Michelle Rindels:
“Assemblywoman Annie Black (R-Mesquite) pointed to a news article about the arrest of two Yemeni men apprehended by the Border Patrol who had been on a terror watch list and asked if the bill would prevent local police from helping bring them into custody.”
The bill’s sponsor, Assemblywoman Selena Torres (D-Las Vegas), replied that local authorities would still be able to detain someone “if there is a federal warrant” out for them.
Not near good enough. People who sneak into the country illegally don’t necessarily have a “federal warrant” out for them. We don’t even know they’re here.
It’s only after they’ve been picked up for non-federal offenses that we find out they’re in our country illegally. At that point, they should be turned over to ICE for processing.
* AB334 would raise fees on developers to pay for “affordable housing.” My response, as reported by News3 Las Vegas and the Nevada Independent…
“If we need teachers, we don’t make it harder to become a teacher. If we need doctors, we don’t make it harder to become a doctor, we make it easier. The answer is to reduce fees, to reduce restrictions, reduce red tape and make it easier for them to build, not make it harder for them to build.”
* Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro said this week that she’s still “working on the logistics” on reopening the Legislature to the public. What a crock.
If casinos, restaurants, bars, WalMarts, grocery stores, drug stores and schools have already found “logistical” ways to open their doors, there’s NO REASON the Legislature can’t do so immediately as well.
The Democrats simply don’t want you to be able to come into the building and see what they’re doing.
From the AnnieGram Mailbag
“Do you know, I have sent numerous messages to assemblymen/women and you are the only one who consistently replies! I will do all I can to support you.” – Nancy Carlson
“I just want you to know how refreshing it is to hear from a state representative and one with common sense. We don’t live in your district but I just wish we had someone in our district who is so thoughtful and concerned as you seem to be. We live in Las Vegas and haven’t heard from our representative, much less asked for our opinion on any proposed legislation. Thank you for your service to our state.” – Patrick McGehee
QUOTES OF THE DAY
“Lawmaker admits all gov’t efforts to solve the ‘affordable housing crisis’ have failed, proposes *new* gov’t solutions? Get government out of the way! Lower taxes, lower regs, & OPEN NEVADA! That’s how you increase the housing supply. It’s not rocket science.” – Daniel Honchariw, Nevada Policy Research Institut
Annie Black is the Nevada State Assemblywoman representing District 19. You can get more information and subscribe to her AnnieGram newsletter by visiting www.AnnieBlack.net
