Assembly committee votes to kill state science office

Tuesday, May 8, 2001 | 10:03 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The Office of Science Engineering and Technology, created by former Gov. Bob Miller, may be on its death bed.

The Assembly Ways and Means Committee voted Monday to eliminate the office that has bounced around state government since it was established about eight years ago.

Gov. Kenny Guinn had recommended the office, now housed at the University of Nevada, Reno, be returned to the governor's office. He proposed a budget of $280,000 for next fiscal year and $255,000 the following year.

Assemblyman John Marvel, R-Battle Mountain, said the office was originally created with the understanding that it would receive federal grants and private donations. But the state put its own money in the office last year.

Testimony earlier in the day alluded to the fact that the job of science adviser has been vacant for a good part of the life of the office.

Committee staff members said discussions between the governor and legislative leadership indicated Guinn would take a $50,000 reduction in the science program. But the committee decided to scrap the entire agency.

The committee also eliminated a proposal by Guinn to create a Family Resource program in his office for close to $300,000 over the next two years.

Assemblywoman Chris Giunchigliani, D-Las Vegas, said Guinn's office failed to present a plan outlining how the new program would work.

Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, said those in the two positions would take telephone calls and direct people to government services. The Family Resource Centers, now scattered throughout the state, already do that, she said.

The committee did approve Guinn's recommendation to add five new staffers to his office at more than $730,000 over the next two years.