Polls, Preservation, And Power In Nevada

Nevadans are funny. One minute they're boasting about their state's wide open spaces and their cows and the whole freedom-to-do-whatever thing; the next minute they're wanting to pave the damned place...The statewide initiative proposes authorizing the state to issue bonds up to $200 million 'to preserve water quality; protect open space, lakes, rivers, wetlands, and wildlife habitat; and restore and improve parks, recreational areas, and historic and cultural resources.' The official argument against it, as stated in the sample ballot, is that the bonds would have to be repaid with state tax revenue, and that tax revenue 'should not be used' for conservation projects "during times of financial uncertainty."