Highlights of Guinn’s speech

Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2003 | 11:05 a.m.

Excerpts from Gov. Kenny Guinn's State of the State address Monday night in Carson City.

"My fellow Nevadans, it is my duty as governor to report this evening that the state of our state is fragile, and as challenging as any period in our 139-year history. For the last two years, we have been dealing with a $300 million budget shortfall. For the next two years the shortfall is projected to be even worse, over $700 million."

"The consequences of (the Sept. 11 terrorist) attacks turned the already threatening fiscal clouds of Nevada's horizon into a full-blown storm.

It means leaving thousands of senior citizens without nursing home care, affordable medicine, and the dignity of their independence; forcing 27,000 new students into overcrowded classrooms without employing 900 new teachers and without buying new textbooks; denying access to higher education for our high school graduates; eliminating health insurance for 25,000 needy children; and cutting prescription medicine for Medicaid recipients and the mentally ill."

"Three out of every four of our tax dollars are collected from sales and gaming taxes, taxes vulnerable to swings in the economy.

Implicit in this tax strategy was a belief that the revenues from gaming and tourism could keep pace with our growing and diverse population. Unfortunately, this strategy has failed. "

"We have been innovative in our savings, and responsible in our cuts. As governor, I believe I have been a careful steward of the taxpayers' dollars.

However, if I had to build this budget on only our existing revenue, I could not live with myself, and I don't know anyone who could. The time has come to say, 'enough.' "

"Nevada ranks near the bottom in per pupil spending on education and spends less per capita on Medicaid than any other state. If those two areas don't concern you, take a look at where Nevada ranks in high school dropout rates, teenage pregnancy and children living in poverty."

"I refuse to balance this budget on the backs of our children, senior citizens and the poor."

"I will not cut programs such as Nevada Check-Up. Cutting a program whose sole purpose is to give health care to 25,000 needy children is wrong. No. It is not wrong, it is heartless. If it is your choice to do so, you will do it over my veto."

"Tonight I have spoken much about the future of Nevada, and my vision of a state where a well-educated work force fuels the businesses that drive our economy. However a more prosperous Nevada, and a better educational system, requires an investment by all Nevadans and all Nevada businesses.

Therefore, I bring you tonight a budget request for $980 million in new revenue.

This budget is built on a series of broad-based business taxes that move Nevada toward a more stable revenue base."

"For now is the time for courage and a time of leadership. The popularity of my proposal is less important to me than the rightness of our course."