Democrats question Guinn’s education priorities

Brendan Riley

Thursday, Jan. 14, 1999 | 9:26 a.m.

CARSON CITY - Republican Gov. Kenny Guinn says education is a top priority for him, but key Democratic lawmakers say they're worried about his plans for public schools.

Guinn spent much of Wednesday working on the bare-bones budget and "State of the State" address that he'll present Monday to lawmakers. He isn't revealing details until then.

The new governor also held his first formal cabinet meeting, stressing what aides termed his open-door policy in discussing issues with top appointees.

Guinn's spending plan should mirror previous budgets in earmarking more than half of all state spending for education. But Democrats said they're concerned about his plans for class-size reduction.

Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, Assembly Speaker Joe Dini's majority leader, said smaller classes are needed to ensure students "get the attention they need early on to succeed."

But Perkins conceded expansion of the program probably won't be possible this session. It's currently in place in grades 1-3 and in at-risk kindergarten classes.

Senate Minority Leader Dina Titus, D-Las Vegas, added it's important to keep other areas of public education adequately funded.

She and Perkins noted a recent "Education Week" report ranked Nevada in the bottom quarter of states on education spending. But both lawmakers said there's no doubt the budget for the coming two years will be lean and nobody wants a tax hike to make up for projected revenue shortfalls.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, a school teacher, said she understands Guinn wants to end guaranteed funds for class-size reduction and just put the money into the general per-pupil funding for elementary and secondary schools.

The problem with that, she added, is that school districts wouldn't be mandated to continue with the class-size reduction efforts that were pushed for years by former Democratic Gov. Bob Miller.

The impetus for many of the budget decisions being made by Guinn is a gloomy state revenue forecast. But Assembly Ways and Means Chairman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, said he's hoping tax collections will improve in coming months.

However, Arberry also said Guinn's caution is warranted because in budgeting matters "you always have to look at the worst before you can say it's going to be a brighter day."

Guinn, who campaigned on a strong education platform, has said an adequate education budget is a top priority with him. But he also has said several state agencies and some child and family-related programs face cuts to cover a shortfall of up to $135 million.

The governor also has said he foresees no layoffs of state employees. But raises for government workers aren't in the cards at this point.

The budget Guinn will present to legislators is based on a projected $3.1 billion in combined state revenues. With funds from federal and other sources included, the total will top $10 billion.