Go with the Union Label...Vote Gibbons? Isn't he a Republican?
Inside Liberty Watch Today - Oct. 24, 2005

It's just one endorsement after another for Jim Gibbons. Jon Ralston, in his RalstonFlash dispatch, reports that the Nevada Bankers Association is endorsing the congressman. The bankers have evidently looked into their crystal balls and figure Gibbons will be elected governor next year and maybe, just maybe, he will repay their very early support with a lowering of the financial institution payroll tax and branch taxes. No doubt, Congressman Gibbons has promised as much. However, one wonders what bank owner and Gibbons hater, University Chancellor Jim Rogers, thinks about the NBA endorsement. 

A trip to nevadacorrections.org, "The Website for Professional Nevada Corrections Officers" (is there a website for amateur corrections officers?) reveals that "members of the Nevada Correctional Peace Officers Political Action Committee (NCPO-PAC) had an extensive meeting with Gubernatorial candidate, U.S. Congressman Jim Gibbons, in Reno at his request." 

It seems Gibbons; having bagged the bankers, and some casino operators, then sought corrections officer support. And what do you suppose the congressman could promise these state employees? Tax cuts won't work, these folks are tax eaters. 

"Of particular importance to the committee," the website goes on, "the following was discussed and supported by Candidate Gibbons:

The elimination of "Salary Savings" positions within public Safety and Corrections to increase staffing.

The development of a voluntary "On Call"
department roster for Correctional Officer Retirees, to utilize in times of low staffing that would NOT affect the retiree's PER's benefits.

To develop a process where the selection and appointment of Wardens and like administrators is conducted in an open meeting before the Board of Prison Commissioners. The appointee would therefore be required to explain, in an open forum, their qualifications for the position.

As Governor, he would NOT SUPPORT the return of privatization of any manner in Public Safety or Corrections Departments.

While previously serving in the Nevada Legislature, Congressman Gibbons had a record of SUPPORTING COLLECTIVE BARGAINING for Correctional Employees. (Original emphasis)

Not surprisingly, it was "the unanimous decision of the Nevada Correctional Peace Officers Political Action Committee to offer our thorough and complete ENDORSEMENT for Gubernatorial Candidate, Congressman Jim Gibbons, to be the next Governor for the state of Nevada."

Well I guess so. What more could they want from Gibbons: no threat of saving taxpayer money through privatization; more staffing, occasional work for retired guards, and to top it off, Gibbons has a history of supporting correctional employees wearing the union label. 

We know Congressman Gibbons' wife Dawn voted in favor of collective bargaining for state employees during the 2003 session. It turns out, it's a family affair.

So the bankers evidently figure that Gibbons, being Republican and all, will get the tax monkey off of their backs. After all, he promised. The guards figure any guy that supports collective bargaining, with a wife that signs on to boot, must be A-OK in their book. After all, he promised. 

Of course, Gibbons can't keep these diametrically opposed promises. Those tricks he learned on Capital Hill won't work here. You can cut taxes and increase government spending in Washington DC, paying for it through borrowing and inflating the currency, and even be labeled a fiscal conservative. But, balanced-budget math will not allow it at the state government level. 

Having lived comfortably inside the beltway for the past decade, Gibbons has the budgeting sense of Paris Hilton. Maybe the bankers, and certain non-union hotel companies in town that have joined the Gibbons pro-union family, should reconsider while there is still plenty of time.

Doug French, Liberty Watch Nevada