GOP senators meet with Guinn to discuss budget

Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002 | 11 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn met with Republican senators in Las Vegas Monday to discuss the state's beleaguered budget, but he didn't tip his hand on what taxes he will propose to the 2003 Legislature.

Senator-elect Sandra Tiffany, R-Henderson, said the meeting was cordial and the conservative senators stressed they wanted government to provide just the essential services rather than raise taxes.

Tiffany, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, said there could be proposals to privatize the state printing office, the motor pool operations and the Department of Information Technology, which handles the state's computer system.

She said there was talk about the state Department of Motor Vehicles putting more emphasis on using the Internet to serve its customers, which could save money.

But no commitments were made.

Sen. Ann O'Connell, R-Las Vegas, said the governor "walked us through all of his concerns."

"We shared some of our concerns," O'Connell said. "He seemed open to hear suggestions we made and asked us to put them in writing."

O'Connell, a member of the Senate Taxation Committee, said Guinn talked about all of the proposed taxes and the alternate suggestions.

"I asked him if he had any specifics about three times. But he made absolutely no comment."

Both Tiffany and O'Connell said the governor emphasized the budget was changing day to day as new information is received on tax collections and programs that must be financed.

Tiffany said the governor indicated the shortfall for the next two years may be $600 million. That would be down from the $800 million in his estimate two months ago. He said earlier this week it would be around $700 million.

Tiffany thinks Guinn's estimates for growth in the school system, the university and Medicaid may be inflated.

"His numbers don't match with the legislative numbers," said Tiffany, who was elected to the Senate this year after serving in the Assembly.

But everything is a moving target at this point in the budget preparation.

O'Connell said Guinn "wanted us to know the situation from his standpoint."

"Things are changing on a daily basis," O'Connell said. "He didn't ask for any support. He wanted us to be aware of the circumstances."

O'Connell said until she sees the budget in print, she doesn't want to make any suggestions. She noted she was not on the Senate Finance Committee, which examines and approves the budget, but she is on the Taxation Committee, which will approve any taxes needed to meet the shortfall.

Guinn will unveil his budget and his tax suggestions Jan. 20 in his State of the State message to the Legislature.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, said he did not attend the meeting and he has not talked recently with the governor about the budget.

Guinn said Monday he is continuing to work on the budget and does not have any final numbers yet.