Behling not supporting Patrick Painter

Behling not supporting
Patrick Painter!
With this year’s election in full swing ethics have became a major issue for candidates. This is the reason that as a former Republican candidate for Legislative House seat 67, held by current candidate and Representative Patrick Painter that a line needs to be drawn in the ethics sand. I will not be backing or supporting Representative Painter in any way. While Representative Painter and I agree on many issues I do not feel I can support a man that I feel has stepped across the line in mixing personal business legal issues with his political responsibilities.
When we elect someone to fill a position of public trust, we trust that they will abide by and uphold the same laws as the populace that they govern over. Representative Painter has been involved in litigation with his local water company over water rights that he legitimately owns. His request to change their use and the condition of use has been less than satisfactory to both parties. Instead of hammering out a solution Representative Painter has felt compelled to try and change current water law to better or change his position. This would also negate his current legal situation also. There are many that agree with me that this is not only an abuse of power but also a conflict of interest.
Other legislators have lost their position for a few drinks and other questionable acts. This issue has gone on unquestioned or mentioned in the press.
In the process of proposing and pushing for change to the current water law both Representative Painter and others have ignored house and committee rules. If you are going to play you need to play within the rules and guidelines. Bills need to go through the correct committees and procedure needs to be followed.
I have been asked if I am supporting any other candidate. At this time I am not. If I were to support any other candidate other than a Republican I would not be able to challenge the Representative in two years as per party rules. Instead I am asking that you consider supporting or writing in the name of anyone that you feel would best fill this position. To vote for Representative Painter at this point would only embolden him.
Why is this water issue so important? The intent of these bills would bring our state water law to its knees. It would be akin to allowing someone that owns Ford stock to transfer it to Toyota along with the asset or property it may be attached to. It would also make it so that there would be no way to prevent the Snake Valley water from being piped to Las Vegas. There is a reason that our water law is 100 years strong. It is because it works.
I have not been asked to make this statement by anyone or any organization.
Respectfully,
Richard L. Behling, AFIS