Fall is in the air here and so is election fever. I'm just back from early voting and a honkin' big Obama rally is gearing up on the other side of town, so the mind is full of matters electoral.

The responsibility that comes with this bully pulpit includes making election recommendations with restraint. So, with exception of a ballot initiative or three, I'm going to attempt to refrain from stumping for individual candidates. Although I would humbly suggest that you might -- might -- want to think carefully before voting for any candidate who enjoys the blessing of that noted casino industry expert, pediatrician James Dobson. (He's not a theologian, but he plays one on the radio.)

Turnout for early voting has been heavy here in Nevada, as elsewhere, but perhaps some of you who are in Clark or Washoe counties are like my better half and enjoy the patriotic sensation that accompanies voting on Election Day. If that's the case, I'd like to share a few thoughts on Question 5.

Buried deep within the ballot, Question 5 asks whether a sliding-scale tax of 2-3% should be tacked onto current hotel-room taxes "to avoid large cuts in the funding of education and other state programs," and later to be employed as a funding stream for K-12 education and teacher salaries.

Opinion within the casino bidness is divided on Question 5, although certain captains of the industry had a hand in its conception (which was far from immaculate, lemme tell ya). Yes, it's for a good cause and, yes, it's purely an advisory question, what opponents call "nothing more than a government-paid opinion poll." (emphasis theirs)

Given the blizzard of varying room-tax rates already in effect, an extra 2% or 3% would be felt most in Glitter Gulch downtown and least out in Laughlin, Boulder City and Pahrump -- if you fancy staying there. The Nevada Secretary of State's office estimates that, should you visit Vegas twice a year, three nights per visit at an ADR of $100/night, the cost of your trips will increase an aggregate of $18.

Would this be a significant economic deterrent? I doubt it -- though perhaps consumers feel otherwise. As with many things in life, it's ultimately a matter of principle. As much as Nevada schools need improvement and as unattractive as our teacher salaries are, if Nevadans want to capitalize them, we need to take that responsibility upon ourselves ... not pass the buck to our customers, our guests, the people who keep the lights burning on the Strip.

This isn't "education funding" -- it's freeloading. And, yes, I would rather pay a (small and progressive) state income tax -- let's say 5% -- than endorse Question 5's exploitive attitude towards the tourists and conventioneers who are the primary and integral bulwark of Nevada's economy. Otherwise, it's like saying, "Thanks for your business and please ignore this kick in your butt."

 ... and don't even get me started on the subject of Allegiant Managing Partner Ponder Harrison's proposal to start charging passengers for carry-on luggage. (Too bad we can't vote on that!) I guess people are expected to fly to Vegas with nothing but their money and the clothes on their backs -- the few that the TSA lets us wear, that is.