Silent Vigil at Supreme Court
A crowd of about 50 protesters cheered and raised their arms triumphantly as the Nevada Supreme Court's decision was announced Thursday, ordering the Legislature to resume work on the hotly debated state budget.
"We are very pleased," said Jon Sasser of Nevada Legal Services. "This breaks the stranglehold that the 15 Republicans have had on the Assembly. They are somewhat irrelevant now."
Protesters stood on the west steps of the Nevada Supreme Court building, holding signs bashing a group of Republicans headed by Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick, R-Gardnerville.
"Do the right thing or we will beam you up," read a sign held by a man wearing a green alien mask. "Make big corporations pay for our schools," other signs read.
A week ago, Gov. Kenny Guinn asked the court to prod the Legislature to pass a balanced budget to fund public education. Hettrick wanted the the budget to be reopened to determine other cuts.
But the Supreme Court decided the Legislature should proceed with its special session under simple majority rule, ignoring the law of a two-thirds majority passed by Nevada voters in 1996.
"Now we can get back to business and back to the budget," said Jan Gilbert, political organizer for the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada. "Our state can function once again. I am thrilled."
Other Nevadans disagreed.
"The Supreme Court overstepped the boundaries," said John Ternau, a member of the Nevada National Guard. "They are out of the line on everything. They should not favor one thing over the other. They should listen to the people and their constituents rather than lobbyists."
Jamie Leonard, manager of a local electrical distribution company, was angered by both the delay in the Legislature and the court decision.
"They should get off their ass instead of waiting until special session," he said.
"The constitution says two-thirds majority. Period. It is very explicit. They should rule based on the constitution just like the federal Supreme Court does."
Sasser said Thursday's protesters were demanding programs such as public education, the Senior RX program, the Nevada Checkup program and the Family to Family Program receive full funds and that big businesses be required to pay their share in taxes.
"We are worried that Hettrick and the Republicans have a secret hit list that they haven't shared yet," Sasser said. "If the public really knew what was going on, there would be pressure brought to bear so that at least one of the legislators would back out. "
Sasser said he could not understand why Assembly members from urban Las Vegas would follow the plan of a legislator from Douglas County.
"Don't think that Hettrick reflects the mainstream Republican party?" he said. "He has an extremist rural view. He may be doing a wonderful job for his constituents but not the state."
Earlene Issel, a Douglas High School English teacher, held one of the protest signs under the sweltering sun.
"Education needs to be adequately funded," she said. "The cost of ignorance and throwing away children's future is a price that no industry or individual in the state should be willing to even consider."
Vicki LoSasso, state co-chairwoman for Nevada Women's Lobby, said she was concerned about the future of state taxes.
"Big business, banks and other entities should carry the load," LoSasso said. "We want a fair and equitable broad-based tax plan. Service industries are hit the hardest and it's a disincentive to hiring. They are cutting funding for already inadequate funds. "