Carson City Republican Assembly Votes For The New Tax
I know much has been written about the passage of SB483 by the Assembly, especially about how many Republicans voted in favor of the Budget Bill, despite their campaign promises to not support a Gross Receipts Tax.
Our freshman District 40 Assemblyman, P.K. O’Neil, announced his support of SB483 prior to voting, including this statement: “I believed our state employees are hard-working Nevadans who had been asked to sacrifice in a disproportionate way since the beginning to the budget crisis and economic downturn.”
It’s true that state employees, like many in the private sector, suffered in the recession. However, I find P.K.s vote self-serving to say the least, since his wife is one of those state employees. Additionally, under state law, legislators receive the same COLA raise they give to state employees- IF re-elected to another term. His vote gives him and his wife pay raises.
The Assembly’s standing rules on ethics don’t require full disclosure, nor do they require a legislator to excuse himself from a vote where he may stand to profit as a result of that vote. Technically P.K. didn’t break any rules. Morally, however, I think he should have disclosed that the passage of this bill would benefit him personally, or ask to be excused from the vote.
I may be expecting too much of a politician, first term or not, but I will keep looking for a moral, transparent, honest candidate who knows the definition of “Representative” to replace P.K. O’Neill.