Guinn starts government agency review process

Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1999 | 9:15 a.m.

One idea suggested for the committee's review is to consolidate the Department of Prisons, the Division of Parole and Probation, and the Parole Board. Another proposes to privatize state Motor Pool operations.

The committee had its first meeting Tuesday. Denice Miller, a Guinn staff member and co-chairwoman of the Governor's Steering Committee to Conduct a Fundamental Review of State Government, said the ideas are on the table for discussion purposes only and will be reviewed over the next few months.

Other ideas submitted to the 16-member panel of private business people, lawmakers and local and state government officials include privatizing all adoptions for faster service and maximizing use of clerical and other staff within public safety agencies.

Gov. Kenny Guinn expressed appreciation for the committee and its commitment to working on the top-to-bottom review of state government. The review could lead to the elimination of outdated programs, expansion of others and the privatization of some, he said.

Guinn also said he does not expect the results to show that existing tax revenue is growing rapidly enough to satisfy all the demands for programs by a growing state.

The information gathered by the committee will be taken to business community, labor groups and others if the results show a tax increase is necessary, Guinn said.

"If we can do that, we'll be the leader as opposed to having everybody decide with special interest groups that we're going to have initiative petitions," he said.

Both the Nevada State Education Association and Sen. Joe Neal, D-North Las Vegas, have proposed to use the petition process to raise taxes. The teachers want to implement a business profits tax, while Neal wants to raise casino taxes.