Winnemucca News

Winnemucca News

Governor proposes cuts to state government to balance the budget - 02-09-2010

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CARSON CITY — Governor Jim Gibbons went before Nevadans last night (Feb. 8) to outline his ideas for balancing the budget.  Those who have been following the issue will note there was little new information.  The state has a deficit of nearly $1 billion and cuts have to be made.  How many lose their jobs and how deep the cuts are to education will be decided at a special session of the Legislature, which Gibbons announced would start on Feb. 23.  

For his part, Gibbons offered some solutions (sort of) that consisted of a three prong approach:  cut governments spending, expand the job market, and get tourists back into Nevada. The governor said he would not agree to any program that raises taxes; instead, he would like to see the state government reduced significantly.

CUTTING SPENDING:  Among the governor’s ideas were cutting the number of state workers, closing the prison in Carson City, and reducing healthcare programs.

“We must focus on the important functions that ensure life, health, education, and public safety,” Gibbons said.  “We will have to eliminate programs and services which make people feel good, but which we simply can no longer afford.”

He added taxpayers and businesses have been overly burdened by the cost of a bloated government.

One of the government’s functions that will certainly feel the pinch is education.  The governor promoted the Gibbons Education Reform plan, first unveiled in January, that would put more control of how education dollars are spent in the hands of parents, teachers and school boards.

Gibbons was critical of some popular programming that he argued was ineffective.  As an example, he pointed out class-room reduction legislation that has been in place for 20 years which, he argued, did not increase achievement.

The governor did not cite the sources.

However, he did note the Nevada Department of Education recently acknowledged 142 schools – of Nevada’s 613 – were the worst in the nation.  He commented, “That means 23 percent of our schools are failing.”

The governor remains convinced that increased funding won’t fix the problem. 

FILLING THE COFFERS:  In terms of the budget crisis; that is, the nearly $1 billion deficit, the governor said his top priorities would be to create jobs and attract tourists.

Lt. Governor Brian Krolicki, along with the governor’s staff and other state officials, have been tasked to come up with ideas for expanding the economic base through manufacturing and attracting green jobs through alternative energy development.

His goal, he said, is to make Nevada the “recycling capital of the west” using the most modern technology to recycle trash into usable materials.  

“Right now, we’re working with Carson City officials to make their community the first pilot project for this technology,” Gibbons said.  “When we launch this program statewide, we will eliminate landfills as we know them today and stop Nevada from becoming the dumping grounds of the west.”

Gibbons said this plan will create jobs.

The tourism aspect is more difficult.  Once upon a time,  in the old West Governor Gibbons referred to multiple times in his speech, when it came to gambling Nevada was the only game in town.  That’s no longer the case as many states now have gaming.

And, as has been noted, in a rough economy people travel less and spend less at casinos.  However, the governor is confident tourists can be encouraged to visit Nevada once again.

“I have ordered the Nevada Commission on Tourism to present me with a report within 30 days with their ideas and plans to get more visitors to come to Nevada,” Gibbons said.  “This will take quick and creative thinking to get results, but it is time for quick and creative action that gets results.”

Gibbons has also instructed the Nevada Commission on Economic Development to present a plan within 30 days that will encourage more businesses to relocate here.

Written by Dee Holzel - Silver Pinyon Journal - 2/9/10

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