GOP lawmakers address education ralliers

Erin Neff

Tuesday, April 15, 2003 | 11:16 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- The two Republican Senate leaders told 300 education supporters Monday that while they support the call for more school funding, they need more people to rally their colleagues to raise taxes.

Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, thanked the students, parents, teachers, administrators and school board directors for traveling from throughout the state to the Legislative Building to urge support of the iNVest plan.

"Unfortunately, I guess our mail has been running about 80 percent against raising taxes," Raggio told the crowd of yellow-shirted, sign-waving children and adults. "Your voices need to be heard ... inside this building."

Assistant Senate Majority Leader Ray Rawson, R-Las Vegas, said he realizes that additional revenue is sorely needed, and he pledged to do his part to get Nevada schools the money they need.

"I will go home with honor," Rawson told them.

Clark County Superintendent Carlos Garcia said Nevada, currently 46th in the nation in per-pupil spending, was 40th several years ago.

"We can no longer put off our children by trying to win this limbo of how low we can go," Garcia said.

"We can't wait another manana," Garcia said. "It can't wait another session. It's got to happen this legislative session."

Representatives from the state's 17 school districts joined parents and students in trekking to the capital to urge support for the iNVest plan, an addition of $900 million to education funding in the coming two years.

Instead of more money, however, school officials are facing budget cuts. In Clark County, possible cuts total $200 million over the next two years.

Marjan Hajibandeh, 17, Clark High School's student body president, said she spent the first two days of her spring break in Carson City for future generations of Nevada schoolchildren.

"It's kind of ironic that as a senior I'm asking for this funding," Hajibandeh said before she spoke at the rally. "But we need to evolve and do what's right for all kids."

Assembly Speaker Richard Perkins, D-Henderson, argued that simply funding education at the national average "is not good enough for Nevada children." But he, like Raggio and Rawson, also asked for help.

"We need you to help us convince more colleagues that we need a big business tax," Perkins said.

After the rally, Gov. Kenny Guinn hosted educators, parents and students at the Governor's Mansion and handed out coins bearing his likeness.

"If you just stay with me until the session's over, it'll be OK," Guinn said.