Gibbons may be at odds with Rogers, but Raggio isn’t

Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2008 | 7 a.m.

Letter

Read the letter from Raggio to Rogers

Sun archives

Aug. 25 -- Gibbons finally answers Rogers’ memos
Aug. 10 -- Quiet man about campus
July 17 -- Tour guides put on school’s best face
July 9 -- Next budget expected to be cut to the bone

Beyond the Sun

UNLV

The chancellor of Nevada's public university system has been issuing weekly memos explaining how the budget cut could hurt state higher education institutions.

In the latest, which he will send to legislators and other state leaders this morning, he includes letters from state Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley, Assemblyman Morse Arberry and state Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio supporting James Rogers' advocacy of higher education.

"Over the past several months," Raggio writes, "you have provided detailed information as to the potential impacts of budget reductions to the various entities comprising the Nevada System of Higher Education. As one legislator, I assure you this has been and will be, extremely helpful in actions which the Legislature has taken and will have to take in the future in determining the specifics, and the level, of funding for Higher Education."

Rogers says the legislators' letters show state leaders are willing to work with the chancellor on budget issues even if Gov. Jim Gibbons is not.

For months, Rogers has been taking shots at the governor in memos and letters, criticizing Gibbons' handling of the state's budget crisis and his refusal to consider raising taxes. Gibbons finally responded last week, sending the chancellor a letter reaffirming the governor's opposition to increased taxes.

In today's memo, Rogers coyly leaves the governor out while discussing how state leaders will deal with the budget crisis.

"With perseverance and a team effort between the System and the Legislature a financial resolution can be reached," Rogers writes. "This resolution may not make any of us completely happy, but such a solution at least will prevent the dismantling of the Nevada System of Higher Education."

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By Ruralsrule

8/26/08 at 9:47 a.m.

Suggest removal

It's time for Rogers to put down the pen and take up the sword. His words against the governor only go so far to further the cause of higher education. Enough words. Now's the time for action. Fund the recall, Mr. Rogers!
By KDR81

8/26/08 at 3:19 p.m.

Suggest removal

Here's a solution...ignore the tax and spend liars. At least Nevada has NPRI to report real facts: http://npri.org/blog/just-the-facts
By zerstuckelung

8/27/08 at 12:47 a.m.

Suggest removal

Liars, eh? I don't think that anyone associated with NSHE, whether administrator, faculty, or student—the latter two more or less vociferously, the first in private—would deny that there's fat to be trimmed and cronyism to be stamped out. The fact remains, even if one does believe that a significant portion of resources are diverted to these ends, that taking 14 percent off the top (and leaving the specifics of what to cut to the same bureaucracy many justifiably excoriate, no less) makes no sense whatsoever if your goal is policy reform, rather than drowning government (and sound policy) in the bathtub.
By Joe6

8/27/08 at 1:59 a.m.

Suggest removal

Funny how no articles ever show how much funding has increased over the last couple decades...
By thepillager

8/27/08 at 6:55 a.m.

Suggest removal

Recall Gibbons Recall Gibbons Recall Gibbons Recall Gibbons Recall Gibbons Recall Gibbons Recall Gibbons Recall Gibbons Recall Gibbons Recall Gibbons Recall Gibbons NOW!

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