Governor plans a brief inaugural

Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003 | 11:06 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- Gov. Kenny Guinn says he will be a man of few words at his second-term inauguration Monday.

Instead of a traditional inaugural address, the governor says he will give a few brief remarks thanking those who attend the ceremony in front of the state Capitol.

The event will last about one hour, he said, in contrast to the two hours four years ago, when he was sworn into office the first time.

Part of the reason for the brief ceremony, he said, is the chilly weather. It was in the 30-degree range in 1999 with no protection from the cool breeze. He doesn't want those assembled on the platform to freeze this year.

The inauguration will start at 11 a.m. instead of the traditional 10 a.m. in hopes that temperatures will be higher.

And he says there won't be any fly-over by military planes this time, to reduce the length of the inauguration.

Las Vegas Councilwoman Lynette Boggs-McDonald will be the master of ceremonies. State Supreme Court Chief Justice Deborah Agosti will give the oath of office to the newly elected state officials.

Besides Guinn, those to be sworn in are Lt. Gov. Lorraine Hunt, Secretary of State Dean Heller, Treasurer Brian Krolicki, Controller Kathy Augustine and Attorney General Brian Sandoval. Sandoval is the only one who was elected to his first term. All others were re-elected to a second term, except Heller who is now embarking on his third term.

A private reception for several hundred guests will follow the inauguration at the Governor's Mansion. Unlike four years ago, there won't be a public reception.

This year there also will be no inaugural balls because of the sluggish economy. Those events in Las Vegas and Reno four years ago were financed by private donations.

Later Monday the governor will attend the swearing in of Supreme Court Justice Bill Maupin, who won a second term, and Mark Gibbons, a District Court judge in Clark County who was elected without opposition to the high court.

Four years ago Guinn promised no new taxes but also said there would not be any pay raises for state workers or teachers because of budget constraints.

This time Guinn is working on a plan to raise anywhere from $700 million to $800 million in new or increased taxes.