PROCRASTINATOR
AFL-CIO waits until last minute to challenge TASC

The AFL-CIO and a coalition of government employee unions filed a lawsuit on Friday to stop Nevada's TASC Amendment, which would put voters in charge of government spending growth in the Silver State.

"This last moment lawsuit is nothing but frivolous. These special-interest groups are desperate to keep voters from having a voice in how their money is spent," said Bob Beers, candidate governor of Nevada. "They're trying to block the will of the people, plain and simple."

Nevada's state budget process has long been out of control. Just last month, Americans for Tax Reform found that Nevada ranked 2nd nationwide in tax hikes per capita from 2002-2005.

The TASC Amendment seeks to put control of state and local government spending in the people's hands. It requires that spending increases beyond the rate of population growth plus inflation be approved by Nevada voters. It also requires that new taxes, increased tax rates and debt issuance also be approved by taxpayers.

"Nevada's special interests are obviously running scared," said Chair of the Nevada TASC Committee Ann O'Connell. "They know that TASC will put a stop to their limitless flow of taxpayer dollars."

The lawsuit filed by government employee unions alleges some 30 instances of deceptive language in the 200-word summary description written by the TASC Committee. It was filed at the end of a 30-day time limit for such filings, and must be decided by a judge within 30 days.

"We're confident that our legal system will see through this blatant power play," said Beers, a sponsor of TASC. "Nevada citizens deserve the chance to vote on TASC."

"It is absurd that a group who represents workers would not want their members' voices to be heard in November, or have a say on how much of their hard-earned money is taken," said Bob Adney, Executive Director of TASC. LW