Nation's eyes are on Nevada

For the third time, the Wall Street Journal's opinion page has weighed in on Nevada's budget and tax controversies.

This week, it was the Nevada Supreme Court's ruling on the two-thirds majority requirement in the state constitution. "And you thought Florida's Supreme Court was arrogant," the newspaper's editorial said.

The Journal's first two shots were at Gov. Kenny Guinn, blaming him for trying to raise taxes in tough times and, more recently, labeling him the "Republican Gray Davis."

It's an illustration of the magnitude of Nevada's dilemma that newspapers across the country, such as the conservative Journal, are covering and commenting on the issues.

By our count, though, the Journal has gotten only one out of three right.

Yes, Guinn proposed record-setting tax increases -- most of which were caused by Nevada's growth. He made clear his funding priorities and how they should be paid.

Even the staunchest of his critics in the Legislature have conceded to most of the budget increases and most of the taxes. The arguments hanging them up, remember, come down to less than $200 million in a $5 billion budget, and how those taxes should be spread around.

Also, Guinn is far from another Gray Davis, the Democratic governor of California. For all the derisive comments about East California, believe us, we're far better off with Guinn than Davis.

Where the Journal hits it on the button is its opinion on the Supreme Court.

"It's not as if the people of Nevada didn't know what they were doing when they voted overwhelmingly, twice, for the supermajority tax amendment. Voters know that without some kind of discipline, politicians will always have a hard time saying no to intense spending lobbies," its editorial read.

With the nation's eyes on Nevada -- at least, those with a penchant for politics, tax debate and legal argument -- we'll be looking forward to all the praise when our lawmakers, courts and governor eventually get it all sorted out to the satisfaction of Nevada residents. Right?