You Get What You Vote For

Some in the Las Vegas convention business are feeling an uncomfortable sting right now. It's the bee of politics ruining their perfect picnic.

You might have noticed at industry gatherings that people don't like to talk politics. My editor, Michael Hart, wrote an op-ed a couple years ago jokingly describing most of our readers as "Bush-loving Republicans." It was met by the sound of crickets chirping.

Yet this week in Sin City, the topic is almost unavoidable. Nevada's recently elected Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons has suggested solving Clark County's transportation problems by dipping into the Las Vegas Convention & Visitors Authority's share of the state's hotel room tax (see p. 1).

Ouch! The LVCVA just proposed a much-needed, near-$900 million renovation to its convention center, and now this?

The LVCVA board, including representatives of Boyd Gaming and MGM Mirage, is showing solidarity in its opposition to the governor's plan.

Las Vegas Sands supports it. No surprise there, considering the lawsuit the company filed in an attempt to block public money from funding the last LVCC expansion, claiming it gave an unfair competitive advantage to the LVCVA.

But here's the funny part: Vegas hotel corporations are notoriously conservative, channeling larger percentages of their campaign donations to Republican candidates than Democrats.

When I interviewed local architect Robert Fielden a couple weeks ago about the budget impasse in Nevada, he said the problem was simple: The hotels elected the wrong person governor. They wanted someone who wouldn't raise taxes — and that's what they got. Instead, to solve the state's problems, he'll raise the room or gaming tax their customers pay, or take money away from the agency that promotes their destination.

A few months ago, I was talking to an acquaintance at the LVCVA about green initiatives in the convention center expansion. He teased me for being a tree hugger and ridiculed the idea of global warming, revealing his political leanings.

Now I have to wonder: Is he glad he voted for Gov. Gibbons?