Editorial: Must fill Gibbons’ vacuum

Sunday, March 4, 2007 | 7:33 a.m.

In the absence of leadership by Gov. Jim Gibbons on the transportation crisis facing Nevada, it is essential that the Legislature act decisively this session.

The Assembly got off to a quick start as two committees, Taxation and Transportation, held a joint hearing on the issue shortly after the legislative session began on Feb. 5.

Briefing the committees were members of a task force appointed in 2005 by then-Gov. Kenny Guinn. The task force had been asked to review projections by state transportation planners that funding for vital highway projects would fall short by $3.8 billion over the next decade.

After studying the issue for more than a year, the task force concluded in December that the shortfall was real and that unless it could be overcome, the often-crawling pace today on our highways would be envied by drivers in the near future.

The Assembly committees also held a hearing Thursday on the issue and have two more scheduled, one for Tuesday and the other for March 13. While these hearings were scheduled primarily to hear how local governments are managing their transportation funds, they represent some movement on the issue.

In contrast, the newly elected Gibbons is being silent on the issue, even though without action this legislative session it will become a crisis. What's needed is a funding plan that will eliminate the shortfall over the next eight to 10 years.

The task force recommended a modest number of tax and fee increases. But Gibbons, seemingly in a state of denial about the seriousness of the impending gridlock, has rejected those options. And he has not offered any other viable solution.

Gibbons did come up with a fantastical notion about pumping some supposed large quantity of ground water from underneath state highways and selling it off to pay for the road improvements. But what is needed from the governor is serious participation in this issue.

With no sign of that happening, it is critical for the Legislature to adopt a plan this session. If it waits until 2009, crisis will be inevitable.