Selective Silence: The Political Magic Trick of Fiscal Evasion
What Hot Seat? Sam Shad should have asked Commissioner Hill why she didn’t speak about needing to raise Washoe County taxes when running for reelection. As commission chair she was aware of the fiscal difficulties the county would be facing in 2025/2026.
Remember those campaign trail promises? You know, the ones where candidates smiled, shook hands, and studiously avoided mentioning the fiscal elephant lurking in the room? Congratulations, voters - you've just witnessed the most impressive disappearing act since Houdini: the complete evaporation of campaign transparency.
The Pre-election playbook from Sparks Councilmember’s Anderson, Dahir, and Abbott, Reno Sparks Councilmember’s Anderson, Taylor, Martinez, and Reese, and Washoe County Commissioners Hill and Andriola was to stay mute about the financial woes the cities and county were facing in the next fiscal year. Assemblymember Natha Anderson didn’t tell voters she wanted to raise property taxes at all those campaign meet and greets in 2024.
During the 2024 election cycle, our local candidates performed a masterful dance of deliberate omission. Budgetary challenges? What budgetary challenges? crickets, municipal financial strain? more crickets Instead, we were treated to a greatest hits collection of vague promises: "Community first!" "Innovative solutions!" "Working together!"
Translation: "We'll talk about real problems after you elect us." Because once elected they know it’s too expensive to recall them.
Fast forward four months, and suddenly everyone's singing a different tune. The same politicians who couldn't be bothered to breathe a word about fiscal challenges are now dramatically unveiling their solution: raise fees. Raise taxes. Extract more from residents who are already stretching every dollar.
Commissioner Alexis Hill wants to raise your sales tax. She just stated on Nevada Newsmakers, “There may be an opportunity for the county to enact a small sales-tax increase.” Small? Hey, taxpayers do you want a small sales-tax increase. Remember when Hill was knocking on voter doors did she mention raising sales tax?
It's not a budget strategy. It's a bait-and-switch worthy of a carnival con artist.
What they all had a case of convenient amnesia? Let's be crystal clear: These aren't new problems that magically appeared after the election. They were always there, waiting in the wings. The only thing that changed was the political calculation that it was now "safe" to discuss them - after voters could no longer retract their ballots. Frankly, with the fiscal pit the City of Reno, City of Sparks, and Washoe County are in - they have no option but to discuss them.
Perhaps we should implement a new political accountability measure: Candidates must present a comprehensive, transparent financial assessment during their campaigns. No more hiding behind platitudes. No more waiting until after the election to reveal the fiscal realities.
Because democracy shouldn't be a game of "surprise, we need more of your money!"
Voter Tip: Next election, demand specifics. Ask the uncomfortable questions. Make them uncomfortable.
Page 1 of Sparks Mayor Ed Lawson’s letter of support of AJR 1. You’ll note in the letter Lawson also supported SJR 14 in 2017 - that bill was defeated.
The fiscal shell game ends when we decide it ends.
Page 2 from Mayor Ed Lawson. Wonder if Councilmember Charlene Bybee supports this bill? You know, Lawson’s opponent for mayor in 2026 if you listen to political rumors.