Jon Ralston counts down the top 10 questions that face the Legislature and Gov. Jim Gibbons as the 74th session begins Monday in Carson City

Sunday, Feb. 4, 2007 | 7:48 a.m.

As the 74th session begins Monday, never have the prospects for excitement and/or disaster been so great and never have there been so many significant questions before a Legislature commenced. Here are my top 10:

He is the helmsman of a vessel on which more than half the passengers didn't want him as their leader, so he didn't have much goodwill coming in. And his embarrassing lack of knowledge about his own programs and state government in general has not provided him with a happy gubernatorial christening.

We will know in the next few months whether, like the ill-fated liner, Gibbons is slowly taking on water and destined to sink, or whether he can navigate through the session and find calmer seas ahead.

Both have potential to improve the lower-ed system, but someone needs to explain how the empowerment concept will work since Gibbons doesn't seem to know and neither does anyone around him.

Democrats and Republicans in the Legislature shudder at the prospect of a gas tax increase to fund road improvements, despite the obvious logic therein. I cannot believe southern special interests and community luminaries will not try to impose a solution on these jellyfish.

Whether he decides that he wants to help the governor enact his agenda - or explain it to him - will go a long way to determining how successful Gibbons will be. And the price of Raggio's help may be evident in the ornaments on the final project money tree.

Check back for answers in 120 days - unless a special session makes us wait longer.