This upcoming legislative session, Nevada is facing close to a 2.5 – 3 billion dollar deficit in the State general fund.  The Nevada Millennium Scholarship may not be available for students after the fall.  The community colleges and universities are asked to cut their budgets by 6.9% for 2010 and 2011.  When February hits they are going to have to cut even more.  When is this madness going to end?

“In a country like this… if there can not be money found to answer the common purposes of education… it is evident that there is something amiss in the ruling political power.”

-George Washington 1^st President of the United States of America

I begin with an unusual title for this article because I ask whoever is reading this to decide.  Down the road we may develop an idea of socialist education (what the GOP claims Rory Reid wants to do): the schools are overloaded, the teachers are paid less than they already are and the schools are in the red (deficits).

Then there is the opposite, elitist education (what the NSDP claims Sandoval and Montandon wants to do and Gibbons is currently doing): very few kids go to school (usually from upper economic families who can afford private school tuition), the unemployment and drop out rates rise and kids are lost from finding what they want to do.

We can achieve the balance if we make an attempt.

Governor Jim Gibbons has made few attempts to help education.  In between 2007-2010 we have seen higher education cut their budgets drastically.  K-12 education is diminishing year after year.  Boards like the CCSD Board of Trustees, NSHE Board of Regents, the Nevada State Board of Education and the Legislative Interim Finance Committee are starting to really worry.

Who is also worrying?  How about the college students, the grade school students who understand the circumstances, the parents and more or less the community of Nevada?

The answer does not fall in socialist or elitist positions, rather education should be a well funded system that is regulated but is left to the schools to run the day to day operations and goal setting.  Teachers need to make the sacrifices for our future.   Administration needs to take the risk to save our future.  Government has to show the students and parents that they care about the futures of their constituents.

Student/parent inspiration is the final piece.   We need students feeling proud about their work and parents taking an active interest in their child’s future.

Recently, the CSN Strategic Planning Committee put together a report for CSN President Dr. Richards that determined the future for CSN and where they see themselves 5 years down the road.  The Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) Board of Regents and the Nevada Legislature wanted the colleges to prepare their budgets for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2010 and 2011.

Dr. Michael Richards, CSN President

The Board of Regents made the following requirement to CSN and other colleges, plan the future of your schools in A.Q.D.  These letters stand for Access, Quality and Diversity; the CSN Strategic Planning Committee group came up with their report and suggestions – Quality being their most emphasized point (the committee consisted of faculty, administration, students and staff).  This was proper for many reasons; CSN has 43,000 students this year and CSN’s enrollment has grown exponentially over the past decade.  The capacity is stretching uncontrollably and services may need to be cut.

With Diversity being the cornerstone of this institution (Diversity in regards to student backgrounds, age backgrounds and fields of study offered), Access was cut back for several reasons including economics and logistics.  This is not the greatest thing that could of happened, but it is not a terrible idea and I hope one could understand why.

Without a rise in tuition (not fees) or a cap in enrollment, there will not be enough classes provided by CSN to the student body at the current levels.  Dr. Richards has been quoted several times saying that they already turn away 5,000 students because of full classes.  Unfortunately for moral and partisan reasons, the NSHE Board of Regents will never support or propose a rise of the price of tuition that I am recommending.  When we raise prices on goods it is called a cost of living increase.  Well this tuition raise could be called a COST OF EXISTING increase.

Economics is my basis but if CSN were to take away the price ceiling on tuition, the quantity demanded for classes will shorten but CSN will be able to increase quantity supplied for things like capital improvements, student services and the amounts of sections available for classes (core and electives).  If CSN finds the economic equilibrium, Quality and Diversity remain intact while Access will redefine itself sooner rather than later.

Another institution, UNLV, is dealing with an even bigger problem.  Their budget is bigger therefore when they cut 6.9% it is more than what CSN expects.  UNLV President Neil Smatresk formed the Presidential Review Committee to help trim different colleges and degree programs at UNLV.  When the committee was finished, many students were irked by what the committee proposed to cut.  In a time like this it is hard to just slash away at programs that have been thriving for years and years.  But on May 10^th, President Smatresk endorsed their recommendations.

UNLV President Neal Smatresk

Now UNLV will have a lower budget for FY 2010 and 2011, but what can people do?  There are comments on many of the newspaper articles online that say education needs to get cut and these departments are funded too much at this time.  There are some student leaders like CSN Capitol Club Vice President Aimee Riley who say that Access needs to be the cornerstone of an educational institution and with cuts to budgets the students are hurt the most.  Then there are people who say that cuts need to happen so other industries can live and that colleges will rebound years from now.  I tend to agree with Ms. Riley.

Make Access and Quality synonymous with each other.  By making Quality so well at CSN, we make Access available to the students that are there.  The graduation rate goes up and more spots are open.  By making an investment now, we do not risk the institution losing more teachers, students and staff down the road.  If the first definition of Access in anyone’s mind is availability to the community, that is something that can be restarted in years where education is funded through new leadership in the Governor’s Mansion.  Our current majority leadership in the State Legislature has the idea, as does a certain candidate for Governor.

President Dr. Smatresk does not want these cuts and neither do we.

In February, 2011 our state legislature will meet to deal with the projected budget shortfall.  Our State Constitution requires the Legislature to fund education and balance our revenues and expenses.  To raise revenues, an option would be to increase taxes or create new taxes.  Some options include raising taxes on Nevada citizens or tourists coming to Nevada.  Fairness is the issue, but deep down Nevada and its citizens know that they need to expand our economic situation and tax it to survive.  People are coming up with new ideas but we do not need to focus directly on those issues.

Governor Jim Gibbons, former North Las Vegas Mayor Mike Montandon and former Nevada Attorney General Brian Sandoval have either signed a “no new tax” pledge or signaled that they would veto any tax proposals from the people/Legislature.  This is wrong.  There are new industries that will move to or be created in Nevada.  For a state executive to stop money from staying in our state is major red light for his/her constituents.  Any voter who votes for a candidate who will not create taxes for the mining, casino, energy, corporate or any industry is making a mistake.

Many people ask when the state of education is going to get better.  Well, how is education funded?  The educational system is funded through state funds and if the state is going to balance the budget and fund education first, there has to be the funds to do so.  We cannot stare down the barrel of a budget deficit every other year!  If we bring in different markets and tax current industries, we can have the money for a well funded educational system that would be in the top 10 in the nation.

“Let public schools then be established in every county of the United States, at least as many as are necessary for the present population, and let those schools be supported by a general tax.” –Robert Coram, American Author(1761-1796)

The CSN Capitol Club is hosting its first annual dinner, in celebration of a wonderful year, the club’s great history, and her promising future.

We’ll hear from past and present members of the club, including former ASCSN and Capitol Club President, David Waterhouse, who currently works in Harry Reid’s campaign.

We also expect several guests from around the political scene in Clark County, including candidates for office in 2010.

The event is this Saturday, May 15th, 6:30PM, at Memphis Championship BBQ, 2250 East Warm Springs Road.

Minimum contributions are as follows and include a platter and beverages:

$20 for students
$25 for everyone else

If you have any questions, please call Justin McAffee at 374-6009 or email him at justin@csncapitolclub.com

You can RSVP Facebook http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=119602174730466&ref=mf or by email.

Meet Scott Kelley.  He first attended a political/ community meeting as a member of the CSN Capitol Club back in 2005.  From there, he has gone far.

In 2008, he was elected to the Washoe County School Board for District E.  To my knowledge (Correct me if I’m wrong) he is the first member of the Capitol Club to obtain an elected office, outside of student government.

He ran for Reno City Council in 2006, losing in a close race.  He has been active in several community organizations since his days in the Capitol Club.

You can read more about him on his Facebook page here, or on the Washoe County School District site here.

He isn’t up for re-election this year, but says he is eager to get back out there and talk to people.  Scott told me, “I love campaigning, it’s such an exciting process and I’m getting better at it.”

The Capitol Club is proud to have one of its own out there serving the public.  Congratulations Scott!  You have set a good example for us.  Keep up the good work!

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Thousands of marchers descended onto the streets of Las Vegas in protest of a recent Arizona law that makes being in this country illegally a crime. Similar protests occurred throughout the country today.

Many citizens of Las Vegas and in the Hispanic community are distraught about the law. Some wonder if the law is practical, ethical, racists or even constitutional. It is expected to be challenged at the federal level.

One provision of the law allows citizens to sue a city or county for not stopping enough illegal immigrants from being here. This places finding illegal immigrants at the top of police priority, taking their focus away from other vital areas of public safety and crime control.

Illegal immigration continues to be a major problem, both for Americans and the foreign nationals here illegally. The problem needs to be addressed. This is the justification that Republicans in Arizona used to pass this bill that essentially gives Arizona police power to enforce federal law.

Ironically, it is Republicans in Washington D.C. who are now blocking the very changes needed to solve the problem. Democrats have unveiled a comprehensive immigration reform bill.

House Republican leader, John A. Boehner, has plainly stated that “There is not a chance that immigration is going to move through the Congress.” So if I’m hearing this right, the Feds not doing enough on immigration is why Arizona Republicans had to pass this infamous law. But now your telling us flat out that you won’t pass a reform?

And the circle of political craziness keeps us spinning and spinning…

On April 27, 2010, Working America members will hold an event outside

Wells Fargo on the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Charleston to tell

big banks: “I am not your ATM.” Participants will send the message

to Wall Street that working people will no longer clean up its mess, and

call for financial reform. Working America members will take pictures in

front of ATMs delivering a personal message to Wall Street that will be

posted at www.notyouratm.com.

Working America will deliver the photos along with 10,000 handwritten

letters and messages recorded for big banks throughout the week and

during shareholder meetings so Wall Street will hear, see and read

firsthand how angry Main Street is.

Working America is calling for strong financial reform that will hold

big banks accountable. The “I am not your ATM” events are part of a

national, week-long mobilization against the big banks and Wall Street

firms led by the AFL-CIO.

What: Event outside Wells Fargo in downtown Las Vegas
Who: Working America members
When: April 27, 2010 at 2:00 PM

Where: Wells Fargo

1121 Las Vegas Boulevard South

Las Vegas, NV

(On the corner of Las Vegas Boulevard and Charleston)

–

Working America, community affiliate of the AFL-CIO, represents working
families to mobilize around economic issues like health care and good
jobs. Working America represents 3 million people and is the
fastest-growing organization for working people in the country. For more
information, go to www.workingamerica.org.

The Board of Regents approved the CSN budget cuts on Friday, April 16th.  Our own Aimee Riley was in attendance, along with Nate Waugh, student body president.

Channel 3 did a story featuring Aimee Riley. Here is the video.

Riley made this statement about the Regents meeting:

The outcomes of today are devastating for CSN, its students and faculty and the system as a whole. To accommodate our budget cuts from the state, we are forced to choose between quality of education and access for students. According to CSN President Dr. Richards, 5,000 math and science students have already been turned away because we cannot provide adequate resources.

I was heartbroken and in tears at points throughout the meeting realizing that higher ed is being decimated piece by piece, year after year. This is not a new problem, we have faced significant cuts for a number of years. What is most disconcerting is that the trend is getting worse rather than better. The cuts are going deeper, to a point that the damage may be irreversible. We are no longer cutting “the fat,” we are now into vital organs.

I feel that Nevada needs to take a drastically different approach if we want to succeed as a community. I recognize that the regents and the administration have their hands tied. Perhaps the legislators have their hands tied too. Who has the final say? We the People. I appeal to my fellow citizens to get involved, let our elected officials know you support education and most importantly to vote!

CSN President Michael Richards (who has an awesome blog we link to on the right) indicates that students will be affected:

Students have been called upon once again to take the brunt of these cuts. It will be harder for them to get the classes they need. There will be longer lines for student support services, such as tutoring and advising.

CSN has much more information on their budget cuts website here.

KXNT had these details:

The state Board of Regents has approved about $7.5 million in budget cuts for the College of Southern Nevada. The plan will cut about $2 million from the remaining budget this year, and about $5.5 million from the 2011 budget. It includes eliminating about 60 full-time faculty, and limiting some class selections and vocational programs. Today’s meeting focused on the budgets of community and state colleges, but state University Chancellor Dan Klaich says a final decision on cuts at UNLV and UNR likely won’t come until June. In addition, regents are considering a plan to raise tuition by 7.5% over the next two years. Nevada’s higher education system is facing mandated cuts due to falling tax revenues which resulted in a nearly $1 billion budget deficit.

The League of Women Voters, at the 1984 National Convention, adopted criteria for evaluating federal tax policy and adopted a two year study of fiscal policy. After the study, a position on tax policy was developed and serves to guide League positions on fiscal positions.

The League of Women Voters believes that fiscal policy should be fair and equitable; provide adequate resources for government programs while allowing flexibility for financing future program changes; be understandable to the taxpayer; encourage compliance; and accomplish its objectives without creating undue administrative problems. Taxes should be progressive, not proportional.

This study concentrated on the federal tax system, nevertheless, the position holds as a litmus test for all fiscal policies. The League supports income as the major tax base for federal revenue; believes that the federal income tax should be broad-based with minimal tax preferences and a progressive rate structure; opposes a value-added tax or national sales tax in the federal tax system.

Today’s Sun Commentary brought to light that Nevada‘s structure for years has been studied and found lacking. “The Legislature continues to plug budget holes with quick fixes that do not address our longer-term problems. We need modifications in the existing tax structure that will provide a better revenue stream going forward”

Nevada has and continues to depend heavily on gaming taxes and related taxes on hotels, rental cars, and the sales tax.  The tax fixes from 2009 and special session 2010 will expire in 2011. Prior to that time Nevada needs a tax system that fits the economic climate of 2010 and future needs. Suggestions such as reconsidering existing exemptions to the sales tax to make sure they make sense, looking again at the modified business tax and perhaps a value-added tax are viable options.   Much has changed since 1984 including an explosion in internet sales which opens the question of a sales tax on internet sales.  Much has changed since 1865 with the mining industry.  Looking at respecting constitutional constraints but looking ahead to a mining extraction tax would be an option.

These are uncharted times calling for uncharted solutions and change to our Nevada tax system should mirror changes in “production and consumption patterns adjusting to changes in technology, completion, consumer preferences and demographics.”

Preparing now for restructuring the tax system in Nevada for the 2011 Legislature is not an option; it is the right thing to do.

The League of Women Voters welcomes all individuals to join. I was asked in a recent email if I was a man.    At this time there are no men who serve on the state board as officers. We do have a gentleman as one of our board of directors.

Respectfully, Sam King President of the League of Woman Voters of Nevada.

.

Can anyone tell us who is Brian Sandoval? Mike Montandon offers up a few suggestions in his smear website, created to paint an unsavory picture (at least for the far right) of the apparent front runner of the GOP for Nevada Governor. Take a look here.

Who is Mike Montandon? The recently retired Mayor of North Las Vegas is also running for the GOP nomination for Nevada Governor. Polls indicate he is behind the rest of the pack.

WhoIsBrianSandoval.com states Sandoval is a “Liberal Republican.” Under a Jeopardy board, statements come into focus like “pro-choice Catholic” then “Who is Brian Sandoval.” Among other things, it says he is “against traditional marriage,” “supports civil unions,” “quit two most recent jobs,” and “Harry Reid supported him.”

Brian Sandoval was “hand picked by the establishment” says the website. What does that even mean? You decide.

Right now Republicans have some choices to make, notwithstanding the inherent irony in that statement. They must choose whether they keep the promiscuous, libertarian and often absent incumbent Jim Gibbons in office, go with the “Liberal Republican hand picked by the establishment” or try for the lesser known Mike Montandon, the self-proclaimed “real conservative.”

Who is it going to be?