JoNell Thomas's Blog
Public Defender -- Neighborhood Activist -- Mom to Almost 8 Year Old Twins -- Adjunct Professor with UNLV Law School -- And Generally Cranky About All Things Political
I've tried to make it through the Health Care Reform bill, but it's impossible. I don't understand 1/2 the stuff that's in there - including the provisions on student loans, which seem like a good idea, but entirely misplaced in this bill.
So my proposal: all bills must be written by the primary sponsor (not staff and not lobbyists) with a fountain pen. Maybe if they had to actually write what they sponsor, there might be some actual nexus to the topic.
Just hoping.
So my proposal: all bills must be written by the primary sponsor (not staff and not lobbyists) with a fountain pen. Maybe if they had to actually write what they sponsor, there might be some actual nexus to the topic.
Just hoping.
My opposition to the death penalty goes far beyond its cost, but I'm especially offended that the expense of ineffective program goes unexamined at a time when necessary and important services are being cut. Currently in Clark County, we have 65 cases that are facing the death penalty. Read More »
I recently read that states will be allowed to decide whether prison inmates should be counted in the census as belonging to the county of their incarceration or as belonging to the county of their home prior to incarceration. This could make a huge difference in state assembly and senate districts and could make a difference in Congressional districts. I haven't seen any discussion of this within the state and I'm wondering if anyone knows what is going on with this issue in Nevada.
President Obama proposes to spend $625 million more this year on nuclear weapons over what was spent last year. We already have an insane number of nuclear weapons and the last thing we need is more. $625 million would do wonders for education, healthcare, helping states that are in crisis, and dozens of other worthwhile causes. I've yet to hear a sound reason for increasing our nuclear weapon supply. This is the last thing I expected out of this president.
Okay, I'll admit it - I was inspired to blog because of possibility of receiving tickets to the Jefferson-Jackson dinner. But that's entirely related to the fact that I left private practice and joined the Special Public Defender's Office. I did so because I want to work on appeals in death penalty cases and this is the best place to do so. I also did so because the cost of private health insurance for me, my two employees and our families was outrageously expensive and the policy we had was pure crap. The only way we were able to get a policy at all was through the Chamber of Commerce and I hated belonging to that organization.
Anyway, I recently read a local editorial which claimed that attorneys for government agencies make about the average for attorneys in private practice and the government attorneys get better benefits. And my response: bullshit. First year law students who are hired at major law firms make more than my salary, despite my 15 years of experience. I made twice as much in private practice as I do as a public defender and I earned less than many of my friends who were also in private practice. I make a decent salary, and I'm not complaining because I know I'm fortunate to get to do the work that is my life's passion, but the idea that all government employees are earning more than those in the private sector is just wrong.
Anyway, I recently read a local editorial which claimed that attorneys for government agencies make about the average for attorneys in private practice and the government attorneys get better benefits. And my response: bullshit. First year law students who are hired at major law firms make more than my salary, despite my 15 years of experience. I made twice as much in private practice as I do as a public defender and I earned less than many of my friends who were also in private practice. I make a decent salary, and I'm not complaining because I know I'm fortunate to get to do the work that is my life's passion, but the idea that all government employees are earning more than those in the private sector is just wrong.
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