Group asks AG to probe Guinn budget

Friday, April 4, 2003 | 9:46 a.m.

Republican activist Dan Burdish is asking the attorney general to investigate why Gov. Kenny Guinn's budget proposal increases state spending at a percentage greater than that attributed to inflation and population growth.

Burdish's group, Nevadans for Tax Restraint, wrote a letter to Attorney General Brian Sandoval on Wednesday asking him to examine issues surrounding Guinn's budget, since the governor's budget is not subject to review by the attorney general.

The Legislature has the job of examining the governor's budget proposal. Burdish said that since Guinn's proposed budget increases spending 21 percent from fiscal year 2003 to fiscal year 2004, something is wrong.

Inflation and growth accounts for just 11.3 percent of that increase, Burdish said. Guinn's staff has consistently said the increase was needed to keep programs at their existing level.

There are also proposed "enhancements" in Guinn's budget, totaling roughly $300 million. Those include such programs as all-day kindergarten for students in at-risk schools and a mental health hospital in Las Vegas.