Guinn proposals run into trouble

Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2001 | 9:25 a.m.

SUN STAFF AND WIRE REPORTS

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn wants the office of Science, Engineering and Technology under his wing and a new position in his office to look for inefficiencies in local family resource centers.

But lawmakers Tuesday had different ideas for the two budget proposals.

During an Assembly Ways and Means Committee hearing on the budget Tuesday, members suggested the science adviser position, created in 1993 but vacant since 1997, be eliminated. And, they said, the governor has no business taking oversight of the family resource centers, a deliberately local program created by the Legislature six years ago.

At a hearing on the proposed $535,508 budget, Chairman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, said most of the work of the Science, Engineering and Technology office has been contracted out.

Assemblyman John Marvel, R-Battle Mountain, questioned what, if any, were the office's accomplishments.

The two asked why the office should not be scrapped.

Deputy Budget Director Don Hataway told the committee the governor wants that office to examine the problems Internet gambling poses for Nevada, as well as to develop a technology strategy for the state.

Assemblyman David Goldwater, D-Las Vegas, replied that the state Gaming Control Board, Economic Development, Tourism and other agencies already are looking into the impacts of Internet gaming on Nevada's casino industry.

"Are we going to dedicate resources in every state agency to fight it?" he asked.

Legislators also questioned whether the proposal to establish a family resource coordinator's slot in his office would be a waste of money and take power away from local governments.

"The question is, do we really need an administrator in one office that's not connected with the local governments?" Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, said.

"The system is set up to allow local government to work with these groups because they best know what they're dealing with," she said.

Family resource centers help people within a community get information and referrals on family issues. The program was established three sessions ago.

Panel members urged the governor to go to any one of the 40 family resource centers around the state and ask about needed improvements, rather than creating a position within his office to look for gaps and inefficiencies.

Guinn is suggesting the budget for the governor's office increase 44 percent, to $5.5 million over the next two years.

That raised some eyebrows of committee members, who wondered about the additional spending and the hiring of seven more employees. Guinn had ordered his agencies to hold the line.

The questioning indicated that Guinn's budget will not escape untouched by the Democrat-controlled committee.

In addition to the family resources coordinator and assistant, Guinn wants to create a deputy policy adviser, a legislative director, policy analyst and two executive assistants.

The positions would cost $737,932 over the next two years.

Hataway said the legislative director would try to improve coordination with lawmakers during the year.