A Cold Day in Hell: Picon Applauds Jason Guinasso

Attorney Jason Guinasso’s Opinion in This Is Reno on May 9th.

We don’t often find ourselves applauding attorney Jason Guinasso, but when someone is right, they are right.

Guinasso raises a serious question about trust, transparency, and whether the Washoe County School District is honoring the promise it made to voters in 2018 regarding WC-1.

Back in 2016, WC-1 was sold to Washoe County voters as a measure strictly for the “acquisition, construction, repair and renovation of school facilities.” Voters were repeatedly assured the money could not legally be used to plug operational deficits.

In fact, WCSD stated plainly in 2018:

“By law, these funds cannot be used to address the deficit in our operating funds. WC-1 funding can only be used for the costs associated with building and repairing schools. WCSD has a legal and ethical obligation to use tax revenues in the manner approved by voters.”

That promise mattered because WC-1 increased the Washoe County sales tax from 7.725% to 8.265% — making it one of the highest sales tax rates in Nevada. Taxpayers accepted that burden because they were told the money would go to schools, repairs, and infrastructure.

Now comes the controversy.

The Board has approved taking $3.3 million every year for the next decade from WC-1 capital revenues to purchase textbooks — a total of $33 million redirected away from construction and repair projects while the district struggles with an $18 million operating deficit.

So taxpayers are left asking an obvious question:

If WCSD told voters in 2018 that WC-1 funds could not be used to help address operating budget problems, why are they now using those same funds for expenses traditionally paid out of the operating budget?

Whether one supports the textbook decision or not, the issue is credibility. Either the district’s 2018 assurances were ironclad, or they were flexible depending on financial pressures. Voters deserve an explanation.

And voters should absolutely ask questions of Adam Mayberry and every trustee who supported this move. If elected to the Sparks City Council Ward 4 seat, how does he explain reversing course on what voters were explicitly told just a few years ago? Would he do it again as a city council representative.

There is also a broader debate emerging: should WC-1 have a sunset provision? Tax measures sold to voters for specific purposes should not become permanent blank checks decades later.

Again, credit where it is due. Jason Guinasso asked a fair question, and taxpayers deserve a fair answer.