Teachers Union

Thursday Round Up: Casinos Split on Compromise

Joe Mathews — Thu, 22 May 2008 15:14:00 -0400

CASINO INTERESTS DIVIDED ON COMPROMISE: It appeared that the Nevada teachers' unoin and casino interests had reached a compromise to avoid a casino tax ballot initiative and replace it with a hotel tax hike for education interests. It was a classic example of how to use the leverage of a ballot initiative to get what you want. But it turns out that not all casinos are happy with the deal. Specifically, the CEOS of the MGM Mirage, Boyd Gaming Company, and the Las Vegas Sands have expressed opposition. That means the new advisory ballot question and legislation on the compromise could face a strong no campaign. If defeated, it's possible the teachers' union could bring back the casino tax.

ARK GOV AGAINST IMMIGRATION INITIATIVE: Mike Beebe, the Democratic governor of Arkansas, announces his opposition a ballot initiative, now gathering signatures, that would deny public services to unauthorized immigrants. The endorsement in this race that I'd like to see is that of former Gov. Mike Huckabee, whose record as governor was pro-immigrant but who reversed himself as a presidential candidate, going so far as to question birthright citizenship for the children of unauthorized immigrants.

GAY MARRIAGE DECISION A BOON TO MCCAIN? The Weekly Standard thinks that the California Supreme Court striking down Prop 22, the state's ban on gay marriage, is a boon for John McCain, who opposed the decision by the Republican-dominated court, and a problem for Barack Obama, who supported the decision.

DW HEARTS TAX REFORM: The Sacramento Bee's Dan Walters devotes a column to tax reform, and quotes New America colleague Mark Paul on the subject.

Peace Breaks Out Between Nevada Teachers, Casinos

Joe Mathews — Wed, 21 May 2008 17:18:00 -0400

The teachers' union in Nevada had been pushing ballot initiative to raise gaming taxes in order to provide more funds for education. Casinos were pushing back. Now there's a compromise: a 3 percent increase in the hotel tax that will go to voters as an advisory question, with legislative action to follow in 2009. Some of the commentary is harsh, with the Vegas papers shocked, shocked that teachers' unions and casino interests have the power to make their own policy. (Hat tip: ballotpedia).

Blocking Campaigns in Nevada

Joe Mathews — Tue, 06 May 2008 00:11:00 -0400

Mike Antonucci at the Education Intelligence Agency, which monitors teachers' union, is mad about this story in the Las Vegas Sun. It's a story decrying a blocking campaign launched against a teachers union initiative petition in Nevada that would raise taxes on gaming to provide more funds for education. Antonucci points out that the teachers' union has supported its own blocking campaigns over the years. I'd make a slightly different point: blocking campaigns aren't news. They don't do very much, except slightly raise the cost of gathering signatures. And they are probably a waste of time for those interests who mount them.