Republicans oppose tax initiatives, gay marriage, abortion

Opposition to abortion, gay marriage and two tax increases are up for debate today by Nevada Republicans as they open their state convention in Carson City.

Republican State Platform Committee members on Thursday voted to recommend party planks that oppose abortion, gay marriage and separate tax proposals on businesses and casinos.

They are among nearly 200 national and state issues to be voted on by conventioneers gathered today and Saturday at the Ormsby House.

In addition, the convention will hear from candidates including John Ensign, who is running for U.S. Senate, and Jon Porter, running for Congress.

Assembly Minority Leader Lynn Hettrick of Gardnerville, who chaired the platform committee, said he expects a floor debate over some of the planks, including the one opposing all abortions.

It says party members "support the inalienable right to life for every person from conception to a natural death." While a large number of conservative and Christian Coalition members support the anti-abortion plank, others say it divides the party and costs it mainstream support by not allowing some softening of the position.

"We went back and forth on this and this is what got accepted," said Hettrick. "But we know there's going to be a fight on the floor."

The committee wasn't soft on the proposed tax increases, voting strongly to oppose State Sen. Joe Neal's proposed gaming tax increase and a teachers' union plan to fund education through a business tax.

Hettrick and others said they oppose the taxes because they don't believe they are necessary and don't like the idea of earmarking the tax money that would be raised.

Hettrick said that ties the hands of legislators who need to be able to change budgets to meet needs.

The committee voted to support an initiative petition that will ask voters to prohibit gay marriage or recognition of unions other than between a man and a woman in Nevada. Along similar lines, the committee also voted to oppose allowing homosexual couples or individuals to adopt children or be foster parents.

Jim Williams of Nye County said he believes the committee didn't go far enough in opposing nuclear storage in Nevada.

The proposed plank doesn't actively oppose storage, instead saying it should be based on science and that the state should get compensation if nuclear waste does come to Nevada.

And the committee voted to "encourage industry" to research and develop ways of recycling nuclear waste rather than burying it in Nevada.

Other environmental stands include banning regulations until a cost-benefit analysis is done, as well as planks opposing the Global Warming Treaty and Endangered Species Act.

The committee voted to oppose any kind of public assistance to illegal aliens and urged that legal aliens "depend on their sponsors" rather than public help.

The platform committee's report is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. today, with discussion of issues on both days. Other highlights of today's agenda include opening remarks by Gov. Kenny Guinn at 9:35 a.m., Ensign's appearance at lunch and a barbecue this evening at the Governor's Mansion.

If you go

What: Republican State Convention

When: Registration is 7 a.m. today, session begins at 9 a.m.

Where: Ormsby House