Columnist Jon Ralston: State of the State seems a bit static

Saturday, Jan. 20, 2001 | 10:19 a.m.

Jon Ralston, who publishes the Ralston Report, writes a column for the Sun on Sundays and Wednesdays. Ralston can be reached at 870-7997 or through e-mail at ralston@vegas.com

DON'T ASK me how, but I have obtained a copy of Kenny Guinn's State of the State speech and am happy to impart some of the governor's words. Here's what's in his address:

* Because of the proximity to the Martin Luther King holiday, Guinn will quote the civil rights icon as saying, "The time is always right to do what is right. For Nevada, now is the time to do what's right, by tackling head-on the challenges created by our state's economic growth ..."

I'm sure that means he will address the tax structure infirmities and the need for a business tax -- pitches he has been making privately as recently as last week to business and gaming leaders. I'm sure the governor knows that what's right is not to make promises -- implied or otherwise -- or say one thing privately and send another message publicly. The dissonance is deafening.

* Guinn will correctly point out, "Anyone can balance a budget -- you make the cuts, reduce the wish list and just say no." Yes, all you have to be is a mechanic to readjust the nuts and bolts of government -- unscrewing a program here, shifting an agency budget there. Guinn can do that, probably better than anyone.

But bragging about balancing a state budget, mandated by law, is hollow. He has to do that. But what about the long-term problem, the illusory surplus notwithstanding, that he has promised to address. Must we wait until after he's re-elected?

* The governor will imply that he will take the long view. "A new era is upon us ... Mine will be a new administration, bringing with it a new approach to dealing with long-term issues."

Really? Does that mean that any promises he made when he took office will be addressed Monday night, promises to take a look at how the state spends and raises money, promises to present solutions, promises to bring common sense instead of politics into the process?

* Guinn will hearken back to his experience in the private sector. "As a businessman, I am not surprised that our state faces the problems when government fails to plan more than 24 months ahead. Blame it on economic ups and downs if you want, but I tell you that any major corporation that cannot plan more than two years down the road is destined to fail. We can, and must, do better."

Surely that means the governor will not allow the lunacy of the biennial budgeting process to continue, that he will present his long-term plan for the budget, complete with modifications to the tax structure he clearly believes in and promised two years ago. He will not let that promise go unfulfilled in his speech, will he?

* The governor will ask all the right, thoughtful questions: "We must ask ourselves: What is the proper role of government? What services must be provided? What's the most efficient way to provide those services? And what's the best way to pay for them?"

I'm sure Guinn realizes that it is his responsibility to answer those questions. Because he knows what is at stake:

"What hangs in the balance is the future success of state government and its commitment to our citizens ... We must meet today's needs today and plan for tomorrow's needs not tomorrow, but today (in italics, so you know he means now!). We must focus on planning, not on responding. We must evaluate not only where we are, but where we want to be."

Very well said, governor. Your responsibility is not just to crunch numbers but to lay out a plan for the state's long-term financial stability. And I'm sure you'd agree that since you knew about the problem when you first announced your candidacy in 1996, enough time has passed to hear about your solution. After all, isn't it your job to educate and lead the public?

Oh, I may have forgotten one little detail when I began this column: The State of the State I obtained, and the one I quoted from here, is the one Guinn gave in 1999.

I just have a feeling he's going to deliver the same speech Monday, thus failing to deliver on the promise and promises of 1999, including this one: "I'll always be up-front with you, even when it would be easier to resort to rhetoric."

Now's your chance, governor.