Editorial: Right mix of resolve, passion

Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003 | 9:21 a.m.

Usually when government faces a budget deficit, the first instinct is to cut programs -- no matter how essential they are. And raising taxes, especially in Nevada, rarely is part of the discussion in balancing the budget. That is why it was so encouraging on Monday that Gov. Kenny Guinn, in his State of the State address, turned upside down the usual political discourse. The Republican governor, who in his first term streamlined state government, acknowledged Monday that more money needs to be spent, especially on education. In order to balance the state's $700 million deficit and pay for required government services over the next two years, Guinn called on the Legislature to approve nearly $1 billion in new taxes, including a gross receipts tax on all businesses. Guinn, in a display of candor that frequently is missing from our elected officials, warned t hat those lawmakers who don't stand with him and fund the needs of our state's residents would be choosing "political cowar! dice."

Guinn, a former superintendent of Clark County public schools, showed his commitment to public education. He proposed to increase education funding at all levels by 33 percent. The governor wants the state's per-pupil support for our public schools to increase from its current level of $3,987 to $4,291. It also was good to see Guinn advocate full-day kindergarten for "at risk" schools -- hopefully in the not too distant future this could include all public schools. The governor made another positive step in calling for the Legislature to approve $38 million in additional funds to buy new textbooks and classroom supplies.

With respect to social services, Guinn vowed that he would "refuse to balance this budget on the backs of our children, senior citizens and the poor." The governor didn't specifically criticize Republicans, such as Assemblyman Bob Beers of Las Vegas, who are eyeing a wide range of programs to slash or eliminate in order to help close the gap in the budget deficit. But Guinn made it clear that he wouldn't stand idly by as they contemplate cutting a worthy program that provides health care for 25,000 needy children. The governor said such a cut would be "heartless" and that he would veto any attempt to do so. Guinn also made a wise decision in his continued support for mental health programs, saying that he supports the creation of a new mental health hospital in Southern Nevada.

During the 1990s Nevada politicians -- Democrats and Republicans alike -- embraced a "no new taxes" philosophy to governing. That decade of denial, of refusing to own up to the growing needs of our state, is now taking its toll. No one, in good conscience, can dispute that more revenues will have to be raised this time. Still, the governor is sympathetic to concerns that new taxes not fall too heavily on small businesses. For instance, regarding the Governor's Task Force on Tax Policy's recommendation that a gross receipts tax of one-quarter of 1 percent be imposed on businesses with gross revenues above $350,000, Guinn wants to raise the threshold to $450,000 before that tax would kick in. That exemption, according to Guinn, should exempt more than 60 percent of businesses in Nevada and allow this state to continue to earn its business-friendly reputati on.

Guinn, in his first four years as governor, built a reputation for his deftness at coalition-building. Despite the tough talk in his State of the State address, we still believe he can work with the Legislature to get his agenda passed. But Monday night was a time for a wake-up call for some lawmakers who just haven't gotten it yet, letting them know the harsh realities that confront our state. Guinn isn't known as a great orator, but on Monday he showed a considerable amount of passion and resolve in his desire to not leave behind Nevadans who need help. The governor demonstrated that he understands what should be done. Now it's up to the Legislature to also live up to its responsibility and make Nevada a better place to live.