All Guinn All the Time

 

Sexy ways to commit societal suicide
Barbwire by Andrew Quarantino Barbáno / Expanded from the Sparks Tribune 3-23-2022


From Poor Denny's Almanac, 7 September 2014 — On this date in 1972,
on the first day of school, Clark County superintendent of schools Kenny Guinn was forced to cancel elementary school “until further notice” after a group of parents won a court order halting implementation of an integration plan, Nevada Attorney General Robert List and school district lawyer Robert Petroni melodramatically flew to Washington to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to halt the integration plan, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund entered the case against List and Petroni, and protest marches were held on the Las Vegas strip, at the county courthouse, and in the downtown casino district. (Courtesy of longtime Nevada reporter Dennis Myers' daily Poor Denny's Almanac. Copyright © 2014 Dennis Myers, all rights reserved. More Myers.)

Slaves taxes, bread crumbs and another brick in the wall
There are no virgins in politics. The best you can hope for is that your friends treat you a little better than your enemies and promise to kiss you afterward.
Barbwire by Barbano / Expanded from the 5-8-2011 Daily Sparks Tribune

Kenny Guinn
1936-2010

Dear Readers:

For a dozen years, I've used this site to poke fun at my fellow Fresno State alumnus Kenny Guinn. For all the digs I took at him (Websearch NevadaLabor.com and SenJoeNeal.org for "Guinn"), he never took it personally. Like the good politician he was, Gov. Guinn was always friendly and affable every time I ran into him. The last time came by chance last year in the bar of the exclusive Montreux gated community/golf course as I was on my way in to a banquet, my first time in those posh digs.

Like him, I am the son of California San Joaquin Valley farm workers. Like him, my parents spent more time in the fields than school. This common background perhaps allowed me to understand him better than some and impelled me to question him harder than some others.

History will judge his record in both public and private life.

Now is the time to express condolences to his family and say a prayer that he rests in peace.

Andrew Barbano, editor
Reno, Nevada
7-22-2010

 

Former Nevada Gov. Kenny Guinn dies 7-22-2010

MIS-SPEAKINGS AND MIS-ADVENTURES IN FORMER GOV. DUDLEY
DO-RIGHT'S NEVERENDING QUEST FOR A COMPLETE SENTENCE.

REAGAN/DUBYA/CHENEY HANGOVER: Gov. Dudley Do-Right's labor commissioner says screw the law
Barbwire / Sparks Tribune 9-13-2009

The legacy of Gov. Dudley Do-Right continues to haunt Nevada
Barbwire / Sparks Tribune 12-9-2007

In retrospect, Guinn was retrogressive

Had his casino-written plan passed, the total new exposure of the gambling industry statewide would have been a measly $6 million per year, and perhaps far less.
Barbwire Special Web Edition 1-20-2003
Guinn thus deserves no credit for the final 2003 tax plan, but had to sign the more balanced plan which others put together
.
Barbwire / Sparks Tribune 2-18-2007



Gov. Guinn: Nowhere Man as Likeable Ike and Silent Cal

Guinn papers over trauma center crisis with press releases

Fiddling on horseback
Veteran reporter checks off the paradoxes of self-enforced powerlessness

"As long as we're in this time of dwindling supply, I'll not consider deregulation."
-- Kenny Guinn (KRXI TV-11/ Reno, 6-1-2001)

6-3-2001: Guinn supports renewed electric deregulation

 

What? Me Worry? Leading from the rear is never having to say you're sorry

RE-ELECTION RECALCITRANCE— Dudley Zips Lips On Tax Tips

BUTT-UGLY LAW—The 2001 Bare Buns Madonna Whassup? Awards

Dudley Do-RIght, Snidely Whiplash & Canadian Mounties

EXTRA, EXTRA,
READ ALL ABOUT IT!
EXCLUSIVE BARBWIRE SPECIAL EDITION

Et tu, Kenny? Gaming's governor stabs at Neal on the Ides of March

Guinn threatens reprisals against petition supporters

 
I CAN'T GET NO SATISFACTION

Gov. Dudley Do-Right rides in two directions at once. On March 4, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that Gov. Kenny Guinn has admitted that state government does not receive enough additional tax revenue to keep up with population growth. Political commentator Jon Ralston earlier related that Guinn made a detailed presentation to a small group of gambling industry heavyweights at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on Feb. 10, 2000.

"(Guinn) said we are in dire straits," Ralston reported.

Given recent reports, anybody who can explain Guinn's guest editorial in The March 8, 2000, Reno Gazette-Journal talking about surpluses and tax cuts, please do so.

"After my announcement of the fundamental review (of state government) and several times since, I've seen comments in the news media about a 'tax study' or a 'tax and spend plan' or an effort to convince Nevada residents that a tax increase was inevitable. Such remarks would be funny if the topic wasn't (sic) so serious," the guv wrote in the Reno paper.

Dudley should have talked to former Chief of Staff Snidely Whiplash. In practically his last official act before leaving to join the John Ensign senate campaign (Snidely was always smarter than Dudley when it came to blowing the scene of the crime), Peter Ernaut publicly warned of a state fiscal crisis.

See "Guinn aide predicts harsh demands on state coffers" in the Dec. 9, 1999, Las Vegas Sun.

You'd never know it from Guinn's March 8, 2000, statement, which continues: "The fundamental review and accompanying fiscal forum, when complete, will show us the services that are needed vs. the resources at our disposal. We could find we have a budget surplus, which would spark a discussion of a tax cut or ways to spend the extra revenue. Or we might have a budget shortfall which would necessitate a discussion of cutbacks in services or additional taxes...

"During my campaign for governor, I said I would only support an increase in taxes if there was (sic) an extreme fiscal emergency. I remain committed to that position. Whether or not we are currently facing or are in danger of facing such an emergency is a vital question," the governor opined, grasping for coherent grammar. [No emphasis added.]

Anybody got Snidely's phone number over at the Ensign coronation office? If so, get it to the guv.

Guinn reverses again
Admits state fiscal crunch,
announces May 4-5 LV summit

Selling tax plan to the people is where Guinn's job really begins

Guinn paints bleak picture of state's tax revenues - Property tax hike targeted?

How now, cash cows?
Major Players in big casino Y2K

Gamers & Governor may move toward compromise on casino tax hike

State study confirms that gaming does not pay fair share

"I don't think people should elect a governor on issues. They should elect a governor on leadership."


Guinn, in an inter- view with the editorial board of the Las Vegas Sun
a reader responds

 


"Don't do as I do, do as I say" Dept.

Nevada seems like a "live and let live" state, with wide open gambling and legal brothels. So it was no shock when elected officials united in 1994 to defeat an anti-gay ballot measure.

Fast-forward to 2000: the governor and lieutenant governor, whose predecessors led the fight in 1994, aren't taking a stand on a new ballot proposal to bar same-sex marriages...

Gov. Kenny Guinn's response so far has been this: " I can't get involved in every issue that comes up."

Guinn, a moderate Republican, opposes government by petition. But he says that means proposals to alter Nevada's tax or government structure. Guinn also said gay couples can do what they want in private, but he believes in traditional marriages.

AP Carson City Bureau Chief
Brendan Riley
Reno Gazette-Journal,
2-18-2000

Guinn and Gays -
Dudley Do-Right, the Redcoat Turncoat

 
ALL IN THE FAMILY

Bill Hanlon is an educator and member of the Nevada State Board of Education. He and Gov. Guinn are grandfathers-in-law.

The following appeared in Hanlon's statewide column in the 3-8-Y2K Sparks Tribune and 3-9-Y2K Carson City Nevada Appeal:

Who will represent common people in tax battle?

Nevada's structural deficit has been known for years. Legislators, our representatives, have chosen to ignore it. It's now getting out of hand and something has to be done. Anyone who continues to chant the "no new taxes" slogan is a person having difficulty facing reality.

The state's inability to pay a competitive salary package has left our schools with a shortage of math and science teachers. That does not bother the wealthy or celebrity elite because they send their kids to private schools. We have also seen that in the health care industry, our local and state leaders go out of state to address their medical problems.

Nevada's tax structure does not support the needs of the people in the state. The business community through their chambers of commerce are burying their heads in the sand. I would suggest that if they don't like the proposals on the table, they stop griping and come up with a proposal of their own. Maybe that's being too constructive.

Read the entire story

Bill Hanlon

Perhaps one day Nevada will elect the whole horse for a change. Until then, remember the immortal words of the lovely Nell Fenwicke: "Why does Dudley Do-Right always do wrong?"


What would Nell think of this?

Guinn defends hiring of women
The governor rebuts a report that the number of top female policy-makers has slipped in his tenure.


COMPASSIONATE CONSERVATISM

Like his predecessor, Democrat Bob Miller, Kenny Guinn faces a budget crisis. In 1991, Miller called in this same Kenny Guinn to make recommendations about balancing the budget during Pres. George Bush's Gulf War-caused recession.

Guinn recommended cutting programs helping the weakest Nevadans, the physically and mentally disabled. In so doing, he and Miller continued the dismantling of the two lasting achievements of Democrat Mike O'Callaghan, governor from 1971 until 1979.

O'Callaghan pushed reforms to take care of injured workers and the mentally ill and handicapped. On Guinn's recommendation, Miller ended up closing what was perhaps O'Callaghan's most cherished program, the rural mental health clinics. In a typical Nevada case of mass malpractice, staffers were fired and clients were dumped with little or no notice and nowhere to go.

WELCOME TO DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN

Changes in workers comp hurt disabled

In Nevada, if you fall on the job, you fall alone

Little guy losing state injury coverage

NONETHELESS, Gov. Guinn was happy to emcee the Disabled Person of the Year Awards, according to the Sept. 5, 1999, Reno Gazette-Journal.

Is Nevada's new health care
omblunderbussman an HMO shill?

Guinn names state's first
health care ombudsman

Gov. Guinn's first attack:
babies and sick kids

 
GUINN AN EDUCATION HERO?
You've got to be kidding.

Ex-School Superintendent No School Superhero

We at CityLife always have to chuckle when we receive an invitation to an event costing $500 per person. Haven't they noticed this is a free paper?

But a perusal of the fancy invitation we received last week to the Clark County Public Education Foundation's "Education Hero Award Dinner" quickly quelled our good humor when we noticed that the "Education Hero" in question was none other than Gov. Kenny Guinn.

Isn't Guinn the guy who cut per-pupil funding to Clark County schools this year? Isn't he the guy who didn't provide funds for a cost-of-living pay raise to teachers for two years, while giving big raises to his executive assistants? Isn't he the guy who declined to fund a high school dropout prevention program for Clark County, which has one of the nation's highest dropout rates? He's your "Education Hero"? Surely there's a more deserving candidate for such a prestigious honor.

Geoff Schumacher
Las Vegas City Life

 "I can remember a first-grade teacher I had when I was a kid. She could give me a hug. She could give me a swat on the behind when I deserved it, or a tug on my ear. Or she could just hold my hand when she thought I needed some reassurance. Today, all she could legally give me is a condom."

Guinn, to Nevada Appeal Editor-
Publisher Jeff Ackerman at the annual GOP Lincoln Day dinner.


Keep Them Cards & Letters
Coming In...

Common Cause rips Guinn's fund-raising in nonelection year

...You'll Have Time to Write Them at the DMV

DMV Dissembling: Columnist Cory Farley tells Dudley to get on his horse or face buggy whips
Guinn glows about leaving 1,400 state jobs unfilled while lines at DMV grow to several days long

A sampling of DMV horror stories

"Guinn: Planning for Tommorrow"

actual cover story headline on the Dec. 1999 cover of Senior Spectrum Magazine

 

 Issues & Opinions Archive

Sen. Neal, conservatives and Gov. Dudley Do-Right agree

Nevada la vida loca: Tailhookers and Dudley Do-Right

Gov. Barbano Vetoes Gov. Guinn's Tax Watchdog Award

Life is beautiful despite Darth Vader and Snidely Whiplash

Gov. Guinn: Dudley Do-Right defrocked as Nowhere Man

Nevada Banana Republic Makes the Poor Pay

Are we all really as dumb as they think we are?

Guinn and the Unionbusters

A Candidate With Executive Hair

"If this doesn't signify grass roots, I don't know what does."

Guinn, referring to his campaign financial disclosure which revealed that casino operators gave Guinn at least $1.02 million of the candidate's $2.4 million campaign war chest.
Las Vegas Review Journal


KENNY G'S HYPOCRISY

Speaking of jerks, the staff of Gov. Kenny Guinn recently came out against raising taxes by initiative, saying it's a piecemeal approach for special interests. Much better to wait and see what Guinn's number-crunchers turn up in their top-to-bottom review of state government.

Guinn's chief of staff, Pete Ernaut, came out against two initiatives, one advanced by the state teachers union that would impose a corporate income tax on everyone but gaming and mining, and state Sen. Joe Neal's proposal to increase the gross gaming tax.

The trouble with Ernaut's wait-and-see approach is we've heard it all before. The reason the groups are resorting to initiative is that people like Ernaut (a former state assemblyman) have themselves been in the pocket of monied special interests for so long that the people have no other choice.

"The governor takes a dim view of taxes by initiative," says state Sen. Ann O'Connell, one of several lawmakers who took a pass while Neal tried to advance a modest increase in the gaming tax during the 1999 Legislature. Read that remark, the governor takes a dim view of democracy. Could it be that the powers-that-be are afraid of what the people, left to their own devices, may come up with? If that's true, then what piecemeal special interest are Guinn and Ernaut representing?

Guinn's stance also is hypocritical in light of his past support for tax-related measures that required a vote of the people. Before he became governor, Guinn played a major role in the campaigns for bond issues to increase Metro Police staffing and to build a regional justice center.

At that time, Guinn was a big fan of the public getting a chance to decide its own future. Today, however, he wants his office to control the entire process.

What's ironic about Guinn's attitude on the initiatives is that he apparently would rather be the one to impose a tax hike -- because, count on it, there's going to be one in the next legislative session. In a way, that's a bold move for such a wishy-washy kind of guy. But it's still wrong, largely because Guinn is likely to propose raising the most regressive and most politically palatable taxes, rather than doing the right thing and raising the gaming tax.

Initiative petitions aren't the best way to conduct the people's business. But they are the only recourse in a democracy that isn't functioning properly. That's the case in Nevada right now.

Geoff Schumacher,
Las Vegas City Life


Snidely Whiplashes Citizen Petitions

Guinn opposes initiatives to raise taxes

 Sen Joe Neal Fires Back


Fox Paw Dept.

Dudley Do-Right Does Democrats
Guinn invites Mike O'Callaghan to join Republican Governors Association

"At least the letter I received from Gov. Kenny Guinn gave me a few laughs," O'Callaghan wrote in the Las Vegas Sun.

"The letter from Guinn began: 'I am pleased to inform you that, in recognition of your dedication to the Republican Party, I have nominated you to serve as one of Nevada's representatives for the Republican Governors Association in this election year...I hope that you will take this opportunity to accept your nomination to the Republican Governors Association and join the 30 Republican Governors in Washington, D.C., on Feb. 28 at the annual 'America's Majority Dinner -- The Road to the White House.'

"Sorry Kenny, as a two-term governor with a D after my name, I will probably miss that big dinner in Washington," O'Callaghan chuckled.

Read the whole story


From fox paw to fox in the chicken coop:

Guinn tough on the sick...
New state health advocate: I'm not an industry pawn
Guinn appoints as ombudsman a woman who lobbied against creation of her job

...Tougher on prisoners
Guinn's new drug program for prisoners caught in 'Catch-22'
"The problem is the way the new law is worded. Until the prison shows there are savings, these inmates can't be released. But there can't be any savings shown while the convicts are still in prison."

...and hell on wheelchairs
Compassionate conservative breaks promise to severely disabled

 Guinn News Archive

Dudley mounts sales tax on service on your back
Las Vegas Business Press, September 13, 1999

Governor names two business regulators
Las Vegas Sun, August 10, 1999

Gov. Kinny Quinn?
Las Vegas Review Journal, August 9, 1999

Critics of Guinn scholarship proposal contend many qualified kids would walk away from financial aid.
Las Vegas Review Journal, May 2, 1999

University press rejects Ralston's book proposal on Guinn anointment
Las Vegas City Life, April 29, 1999

John L. Smith's Column: Budget cuts take an undesirable bite out of seniors' services
Las Vegas Review Journal, February 11, 1999

Blue smoke and mirrors? Guinn can't pay for his Millennium Scholarships says Las Vegas teacher
Las Vegas Review Journal, February 8, 1999

What more can we say?
Other than to say your comments are always welcome.

Be well. Raise hell.
Andrew Barbano, Editor

 

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Dudley Do-right, Nell Fenwick and Snidely Whiplash cartoon characters © Jay Ward Productions

Sen. Joe Neal

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