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Dear
Friends,
There has
been a lot of talk this session about big changes
coming to college campuses across Nevada. First, the spotlight was on
Assembly
Bill 148, which would allow CCW holders to carry on college campuses, and
other
public buildings. Now, the focus is on the Nevada Board of Regents creating
a 100%
tobacco-free environment on all of Nevada’s public college,
university and
research campuses.
In a perfect
world this policy could do some good for
Nevada, but when you look at the facts it is completely hypocritical. In
2014
alone the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) received $100 million
from
tobacco taxes alone.
Marc
Johnson, University of Nevada, Reno President,
had this to say in an article by
Nevada Today,
"Throughout the past several
years, the University has made important progress in linking the 'mind,
body
and spirit' of our students by developing programming and physical
infrastructure that emphasizes health and well-being.”
NSHE is
sending mixed messages to the public by taking
these “sin tax” dollars, and then banning the products from
their campuses. What this policy is really doing is taking
away peoples personal freedoms and their right to make a choice for
themselves.
Recently CNN
reported on another very controversial program
that also infringes on our rights, the Civil Asset Forfeiture. The program
was
started in the 1980’s, and was intended to allow authorities to take
money they
believed was connected to crimes. It has since developed into a convoluted
way
for law enforcers to rob drivers without ever charging them of a crime.
Humboldt
County Sheriff, Lee Dove, has reportedly been
responsible for more than a dozen cash seizures in 2014. The sheriff is so
proud of his cash seizures that he has even gone as far as to start signing
autographs of himself with his K-9 dog and a few bundles of money. Not only
are
these officers not being punished, but in some ways they are encouraged to
seize money because the department gets to keep 25% of the reported amount
seized
to use as they see fit. This includes buying new cars, throwing office
parties,
paying for building maintenance, and anything else they can dream up.
You can see
the whole story
here.
One of the
bills I’ve cosponsored deals with this
issue. SB138 will establish a standard procedure for use of property
obtained
in a seizure. I believe creating a uniform policy for law enforcement to
follow
will ensure that the few bad seeds out there do not find loopholes to take
advantage of innocent people.
Tune in
Saturday 9am-10am on KDWN 720 for “Walk the
Talk with Michele Fiore”. Assemblywoman Shelly Shelton, her Policy
Director and
husband Tony Shelton and one of my policy directors, Brian Wilson will be
joining me. This week we are taking a deeper look at these issues, bringing
some heated discussions to the table and asking some important questions
that
affect you, the taxpayers of Nevada. Why are bad law enforcement officers
not
punished? How should Reno spend its $11 million surplus? Is it right for
companies to capitalize on someone who is going through a financial rough
patch? You won’t want to miss this exciting show!
With only 32
days left in the regular session I am
more dedicated than ever to protecting Nevadans from bad legislation, and
standing behind the values I was voted into office with.
Yours Truly
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