Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

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

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."

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