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twitterGibbons to propose more salary cuts, says he’ll veto tax hikes
Thursday, April 30, 2009 | 12:23 p.m.
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Sun Archives
- Local battles on teacher pay cuts will follow action in Carson City (4-20-2009)
- Professor: Consider short-term borrowing (4-19-2009)
- Team Gibbons unveils new motto (4-17-2009)
- Ensign weighs in on state's budget woes (4-16-2009)
- Solar tax break in bill might burn budget (4-16-2009)
- Deadlines looming, decisions stay secret (4-15-2009)
- Nation's leader in budget pain (4-15-2009)
Sun Coverage
At a news conference today Gov. Jim Gibbons criticized lawmakers for reversing some of his budget cuts and again pledged to veto any tax increases passed by the Legislature.
Gibbons was flanked at the news conference by five Republican assemblymen, none of whom are in legislative leadership.
Gibbons said his office would submit a budget amendment Friday to propose additional reductions in salaries for state workers, teachers and university employees. The governor, who originally proposed pay cuts of 6 percent for the public employees, wouldn't say the size of the proposed additional pay cut.
Gibbons' staff expects the Economic Forum -- which provides binding revenue estimates for state government -- will create another $500 million hole in the budget when it announces its projections Friday.
Gibbons said each additional 1 percent pay cut to public employees saves the state $70 million over the biennium.
Gibbons' budget has been roundly criticized by both Republican and Democratic lawmakers.
The Legislature's money committees have been "closing" budget accounts - $11 million have been closed, and Legislative leadership has looked at closing another $62 million.
"When you're in a hole, you have to stop digging," Gibbons said, adding that any tax increase should be off the table. "The state can't take more from people who make less."
Besides additional pay cuts, Gibbons said some money could be taken from the capital improvement programs.
Gibbons said his staff requested to be in legislative meetings on the budget but was rebuffed when his staff said Gibbons wouldn't bend on taxes.
Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, rebuffed chief of staff Josh Hicks and legislative liason Jodi Stevens, Stevens said during the press conference.
Some of the most severe cuts Gibbons proposed have been to higher education.
Sen. John Ensign told capitol reporters earlier this month that “I don’t think he (Gibbons) thinks they could be sustained.”
Gibbons said he hadn't had conversations with Ensign, but pointed out that the higher education system can raise revenues.
Discussion: 62 comments so far…
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"The state can't take more from people who make less," (Gibbons) said."
And his salary cuts are... taking more from people who make less.
Gibbons is a GENIUS.
On taking more in taxes (Obama's tax cuts) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gv4OeKmWj...
Also found a $5.1 billion state budget that still restores funding to mental health clinics and education. http://npri.org/publications/nevadas-fre...
Ksand, state workers in Nevada make a high salary relative to not just workers in this state but government workers nationwide.
I just want to hear what % of cuts to thier salaries are gonna be, they keep taking from us well I just aint hearing nothing on them . hmmmmm
Patrick, they make quite an average salary relative to workers in other states, but even the Chamber of Commerce found that there were less government and local workers, per capita in Nevada, than in any other state.
What that means, essentially, is that more responsibility is divided among fewer people, thus somewhat justifying a higher salary. That's typically how salaries should work: more responsibility, more pay.
Finally, the Governor has proposed pay cuts, a huge increase in the cost of benefits to employees and their families, even when faced with modest proposals of increases in mining taxes, which are criminally undercollected in this state. His rhetoric doesn't match his actions.
I note that the five Republican legislators near Gibbons were assemblyMEN. He probably had already tried to help all Republican assemblywomen to their cars.
Gibbons is about as relevant to this issue as Dick Cheney--in other words, a lying hypocrite, and not really worth paying attention to.
This is a total and complete abdication of responsibility. We know that the Economic Forum will report tomorrow that state revenues are now projected to come in several hundred million dollars below where they were projected when he announced his budget in January. At the time, his own allies said this was not a serious budget proposal, but merely a rhetorical exercise in pretending that the state did not need an adequate amount of revenue to stay in business.
Now he is again engaging in a merely rhetorical exercise. Only last week he gave a speech to his own self-appointed SAGE Commission in which he reportedly could not justify his own opposition to any revenues, even those supported by the Commission, by the voters and by the businesses that would pay them.
He continues to try to pit the state against itself, trying to force K12 to fight with Higher Ed over education stimulus spending, to force students to fight with faculty over tuition increases, to force faculty to fight with administration over the prospect of furloughs, to force public service workers to fight with business executives over whether we should have adequate health care.
These conflicts do not exist on their own, but the Governor needs to try to create them for his own political purposes. The Nevada Faculty Alliance joins with the entire rest of the state in refusing to give into this cynicism and remains determined to participate in constructive solutions to this crisis.
See the full statement on http://unlvfaculty.blogspot.com
I'm sure he's heard the responses from employees that this amounts to an extreme tax on State workers. I wonder why the he, their primary representative, doesn't care?
If you can't afford the programs, get rid of them and layoff the employees that work in them. If you want to levy taxes on groups, do it universally to all Nevadans through sales taxes. Couldn't you generate far more income that way, since the amount is spread equally among all Nevadans and visitors as well?
His approach is purely political.
I have to say it seems the governor(sum 0) simply enjoys this too much.
Really in his own sick way he has a point.
Education in this state is a joke so why not simply destroy it, save the money, and sum 0 can worry about important things such as texting women on state time.
Close the nursing homes and let the old folks wander downtown, now that will bring in the tourists.
Let`s see sum 0 and the legislature does that equal two 0`s, or are we in minus territory.
What a hoot.
Late49er
Nevada is pondering a question about whether it wants to remain its own state. If not, maybe we could partition the east part to Utah and Arizona, the north to Oregon and the West to California. However, I doubt that any would allow it, since it's very clear that Nevada's deadbeat politicians only love their big desks and prompt dinner reservations. Who wants to support a bunch of smug-faced freeloaders dressed up in business suits? Nevada's political hucksters are way too self-consumed with their petty personal importance. They are much too pre-occupied with being "right" to even take the time to see that Nevada is becoming a failed state. Statehood brought down by right-wing extremism. Pretty, ain't it...
The guv and his misguided ilk can propose additional paycuts for state workers and threaten to veto proposed budgets all he wants...the simple fact is that he can and will have his veto powers overridden,period.Then all he can do is start mass state worker layoffs.To hold a press conference and announce that additional wage cuts are pending without even a figure in mind is simplly asinine and lacks any sort of vision on his part.
The Governor saw this coming while everyone else pretended it would go away. He also knows it's going to get a lot worse. No one like to cut workers or pay but today is the new economy. The money isn't coming in and raising taxes will just hurt the economy more. The only thing to do is the same as any business. Cut things we all want, but just cannot afford. You know, like what your telling your family.
This is infuriating, I will admit I am a teacher, so I am biased, but how is this not a tax on me? My wife and I, she is also a teacher, would lose 12,000 dollars in salary! I know people say everyone has to pitch in, but everyone isn't. I bought some clothes this weekend and the tax on 75 dollars was five and change. If the sales tax was raised one percent, it would have been 75 cents more. Is this the tax increase that is going to topple businesses and cause anarchy? They aren't even considering a hike that big, but doing that would raise a tremendous amount of revenue. No one likes to pay taxes, but let's all do it. And it isn't like cutting my salary is good for the economy either, that is 12,000 more dollars I won't be spending.
Just raise the Car Rental Tax to 79%. Its only the tourists who pay, and they are RICH !
Neiman, the only thing Jim Gibbons has every seen coming is a drunken woman. That's about all he would notice.
"The Governor saw this coming while everyone else pretended it would go away. "
Then you're admitting he violated the Nevada Constitution and submitted an unbalanced budget. What's that saying? A good defense is... a defense which gets you impeached?
Again, the village idiot. Jim Gibbons DOES NOT HAVE THE AUTHORITY to cut teacher pay. The teachers have a contract with the county. The state can cut funding to the county, but CCSD has a binding contract with the teachers.
That's a fact.
I love it - there is ONE guy in this whole big state, or counrty for that matter, that understands you can only spend what you make! -It does not matter what you make, it's all ya got available. A real leader leading, is how I see it.
To the teacher that thinks a paycut is a tax on him personally - you are an idiot. Under your equation I have taken a 50% Tax hit and my wife a 100% tax hit as she lost her job last year. Consider yourself fortunate you are one of these immortal government employees.
Thanks to Gibbons for having the strength and conviction to make tough decisions that prevent the state from getting further in debt.
I understand that it is natural for people to only think about themselves if their pay is being cut slightly, but I personally will always vote and support Gibbons because he is a responsible leader. I appreciate that he isn't afraid to do his job.
travis, in my opinion, in this economy, your wife should be grateful that she has a job at all. they can cut everyone's salary across the board so that more people can have jobs, or a bunch of teachers can be laid off. which do you prefer?
...or Ksand,
It simply means other states have more workers. You're assuming that other states have the right amount, thus since we have less we have too few. This is a fallacy.
Its more likely that other states have way too many government workers. Or its possible that we supplement state workers with local workers, or private workers etc. It does not necessarily mean we have too few overworked state employees.
Given the fact that government employees face no real incentives to encourage worker harder, smarter and better (ie reward good workers and get rid of the dead weight) I seriously doubt we have too few at this time.
my husband is a professor at UNLV. Everybody keeps talking about his contract and how it suppose to protect him from job loss. A contract doesnt mean a thing if there isnt any money. Have you people looked around lately? Where do you think money is coming from? As for raising sales taxes, have you noticed how slow business is? I remind my husband to use common sense in regards to a possible pay cut. In realty, he is looking at job loss instead of a small pay cut. Stop putting your heads in the sand. We as a country do not like to see the truth and nobody wants to feel the pain of cutbacks. Unfortunately, cutbacks are the only way to return to financial health. It is the only way for a household, city, state or country. Gibbons is not a very popular guy right now, because people expect him to magically create money to take care of all of our state's obligations. This is a new day, and the sooner we accept that life will never be the same, the better off we will be.
"Gibbons was flanked at the news conference by five Republican assemblymen, none of whom are in legislative leadership."
Of course none of the Republican Leadership consider Gibbons a liable leader. Gibbons is a huge liability to the Republican Party...
Also, you don't get paid because you have more responsibility, you get paid because you're more productive. Nevada doesn't measure employee productivity (its illegal to do so with teachers in fact).
Additionally, state workers received a nice pay increase this year, despite a very large decrease in the cost of living, especially in Nevada. The pay cut, as it turns out, doesn't make anyone worse off than in 2006. It would be better, though, to cut out useless or ineffective government programs rather than slashing everything.
wow, gregory, so much drama! you suggest that students are fighting with faculty over tuition? in my opinion, if this is true you should ask for training on how to interact appropriately with students. faculty do not have control of the budget and I don't see any reason that students should be "arguing" with a professor. in my opinion, you lost credibility for your comments because of this.
fromthesouth, I have respect for what you wrote. I agree that pay cuts are better than losing your job. You are right that people need to get their heads out of the sand and realize that there simply isn't enough money to keep things funded as they were in the past few years. Would you rather 10% of your co-workers be laid off, or would you be willing take a 10% pay cut so that you all have a job?
Nevadaappleslices, why don't we ask the people who can most afford to pay to do something in this state that they have never had to do: pay for their services? I'm happy--HAPPY!--to pay for my share. Let's see some other folks pony up. Ponying up is appropriate, because their claims of disaster if there is an actual business tax or a higher gaming tax have, historically, been horse manure.
Apparently, I am an idiot for not wanting a pay cut. I apologize for being the rare bread of individual with self interest. I think about my son, daughter, and my wife first. A large pay cut to me would damage my family, I guess that makes me an idiot. I can say proudly I am an idiot with four degrees, but what does that mean? Hey, tbvegas, are you and your wife that educated?, no-- I didn't think so, but continue to throw insults. So I am glad to be an immortal government employee, and I hope my union doesn't allow the cuts to take place. Again, why don't we all pitch in? I personally don't pay hardly anything in taxes. I pay a little on some of my bills and sales tax, but that is it. If I had lost my job I wouldn't wish the worst on others to make me feel better.
So think about this, Eliot Spitzer is out of office, Blago was removed from office, -- ok, so compared to those guys Gibbons IQ is below the table - he should be removed to save him from the impossible dream - the dream and fantasy he has that he is adequate. Gotta increase revenue - think that is called taxes. Ok, bye!
I would like to make one last comment for all you fair is fair people. I am set to lose 12 grand on these cuts. There are 2,600,167 people in Nevada, if everyone lost that much money that would be $31,202,004,000. Is that 31 trillion? Let's all do that, then I won't complain. I'll even concede that half of those people are not of working age that would only net $15 trillion.... peanuts. Would that solve the budget problem?
travislv86;
You will NOT be able to have a rational discussion with the "Jim Gibbons Fan Club" that posts here. Can you imagine? Constituents of the State Of Nevada that actually STILL SUPPORT Jim Gibbons!
It would be funny if it wasn't so sad.
Desperately clinging to some strange hope that all 5 or 6 of them can form a posse and ride into Carson City like the Cartwrights and declare victory against the tyranny of TAXES!
How EVIL that people want to get PAID!
Let me first start by saying that I am not a state employee and I don't have any children, so I am unaffected by the proposal to cut state salaries. In over ten years living in Nevada I have not interacted with the police, attended school in Nevada, nor have I been to prison or a public hospital. I also haven't received Medicaid or unemployment insurance or any other state-sponsored welfare services. In short, I have received very little in return for the taxes that I pay to the state of Nevada.
With that said, I cannot condone all this animosity toward state workers, particularly teachers. Unlike people working in the private sector, nobody has ever gotten wealthy working for the government. State workers chose their jobs because of their devotion to the welfare of others (ie. teachers, police, correctional officers) or because the jobs offered secure employment in exchange for lower wages than the private sector. Those people complaining about state workers could have chosen to work for the state, but for some reason chose to work in the private sector instead. Too bad you made the wrong decision, but don't get angry at others because your life has taken a turn for the worse.
People like tbvegas and nevadaappleslices should look in the mirror to find out why they are so expendable that they have lost their jobs. I don't know your personal situations but I suspect that if you were really talented you would still be employed, the cream always rises to the top. Teachers have spent decades learning their craft so that they can influence future generations. What have you two ever done to make society better? And please don't respond with a lie about the wonderful things you have done for mankind unless you are willing to provide proof of these deeds; its difficult to take anonymous boasting seriously.
Gibbons the Chimp should put his money where his mouth is and give back EVERY PENNY that this clown has taken in salary. A true chimp could do a better job. A leader looks at the total picture of what can be cut and what taxes can be raised.
Gibbons will not be re-elected. This gop "no taxes pledge" has put them in the "does not matter" catagory of leaders working to fix this problem.
To "azbycx0918" re "... unemployment insurance or any other state-sponsored welfare services ..."
In the state of Nevada, unemployment insurance (NOT welfare) is NOT state-sponsored. It is paid by your EMPLOYER.
As to your truly nasty comment about people who have lost their jobs (and please note that I disagree with their posts), words fail me. "... the cream always rises to the top" - A most shining example of naivete ... especially in this state.
"... its [sic] difficult to take anonymous boasting seriously" Pretty sure you don't see the irony in that statement.
Hey Nance;
You can change your screen name to nevadaappleslices, but people know you for what you are; A Reno resident who has the mindset of a one year old.
Gold is $900 an ounce. The foreign companies that own the Nevada gold mines take their money and leave the country. Our gold is gone. They pay virtually no taxes.
What intelligent person thinks that a tax on those gold mines would stop them from digging? Or that increased taxes on gold aren't fair, given that once its gone, its gone, and its not bringing any investment back to our state?
azbycx, to say you have received "very little" from the tax dollars you've paid to the State of Nevada is a bit off - let's not forget that we ALL benefit from an educated society - so while you may not have had children per se in the school system you ARE benefitting, on a daily basis, from educated people working in this State. Try doing ANYTHING in a State with nothing but uneducated dummies - you'd be sitting in the dark with no electricity, no water, no phone etc etc - and I guess you wouldn't even have food to eat. Educated people benefit us all. I paid taxes to the school, thru my homeowner taxes for years before I ever had a child (and it was just ONE child) go to public school (on behalf of ALL taxpayers). I didn't complain when I was paying - I was benefitting from the education of others in every aspect of my daily life.
One side has to be right, the other side has to be wrong. Why not divide the state in half and experiment? While I think my side has enough facts to support it, I also believe it works in the real world...I doubt the opposition would dare go head to head pursuing their ideology when people have a choice to leave for freedom.
By the way, azb, unemployment insurance comes out of your salary. Companies don't care how much you receive in salary or benefits or taxes on your employment, they only care how much you cost them overall. If they have to pay you $30,000 in salary and $10,000 in benefits, and then $30,000 in taxes on your employment that is your total compensation. If the government didn't have such a tax your salary and benefits would add up to, at most, another $30,000.
For the record, I have not lost my job. I will not complain about a pay cut if it saves people jobs. Here's an example for those of you that are too dumb to get this.
I'll keep it small so you don't get lost.
Say the state had a budget of $1400. They employee John Doe for $1000 and Bob for $400
Say the state has a budget of $1200. We could lay off Bob, or John Doe and Bob could both take a small pay cut so that they both keep their job.
For the person that said that I don't appreciate teachers, I have to say that you are short-sighted, selfish, and are the one with less respect for teachers. I prefer to take a pay cut so that many of my co-workers can have jobs period. Less people laid off is better in my book.
It's amazing how many people that could otherwise be laid off are complaining about a uniform pay cut. If a pay cut saves thousands of people from being laid off (and you could be one of those laid off), you shouldn't complain about a pay cut. Something is better than nothing. Gibbons can't just illegally print new money to fix the problem. He's being responsible and compassionate.
PHUCK JIM GIBBONS AND THE IDIOT CONSERVATIVE HYPOCRITES HE ROAD INTO TOWN ON!
Oh, just noticed that Raggio 'rebuffed' Gibbons' overpaid staff. Good for Raggio!
FYI, the Democrats are pushing for a 3% salary cut across the board.
There is a good chance they may increase that percentage to make up the additional $300 million "shortfall".
They are also shooting for a tax increase of only $780 million. I am not sure if that includes the $250 million that already has passed into law this session.
I read today that sum 0, the governor, has proposed taxing brothels to help support rural nevada medical centers.
Perhaps the state should just take over the brothels and use the revenue to support sum 0`s texting bills.
Probably not a good idea since the girls make an effort while sum 0 and the legislature are well worthless.
Late49er
Come on now. I think we ALL need to accept the responsibility here and pay our fair share, not make State employees pay for EVERYONE. I have lived in other states prior to this and I can say first hand that the taxes in this State are next to nothing. In this economic downturn the only thing that can be done to ease the blow is to have modest tax increases. Where is the responsibility these days?
Others states are doing similar cutting (just a sample, probably over half the states are either doing a combination of layoffs, unpaid furloughs, cuts to Colas, etc.:
Washington - unpaid furloughs and pension benefits cuts
http://www.theolympian.com/stategovernme...
Arizona - State government layoffs
http://www.azcentral.com/news/articles/2...
New York - State government layoffs, possible cuts to COLA's
http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2...
http://www.theithacajournal.com/article/...
California - Unpaid furloughs
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29916569/
Vermont - layoffs
http://www.wptz.com/money/19202767/detai...
New Jersey - layoffs or unpaid furlough
http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2009/04...
Ohio - Layoffs
http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2009/04/...
Hawaii - Layoffs and/or furloughs
http://pacific.bizjournals.com/pacific/s...
Florida - Layoffs
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/f...
South Carolina - Furloughs
http://www.thestate.com/business/story/7...
Yes, all of the above are cuts to benefits or unpaid time off. Nevada State employees are being asked to take a cut in benefits AND salary cuts. It's more fair to demand unpaid furloughs than to cut someone's bottom line by at least 15% and expect more work out of them.
Yes,
And those states probably already tax the heck out of the residents. WE PAY NOTHING HERE!! I say raise sales taxes, and for people in lower income brackets, they can apply for a voucher that would allow them to continue to pay the current 7.75 percent. I'll pay nine percent, a buck and a quarter on every hundred I spend. I wouldn't even notice and we'd be busting at the seams with cash.
You have to be careful about raising taxes---how much and when.
It could cause the economy to go deeper into a recession or caused it to last longer.
In the long run, you could actually cause tax revenue to decline or greatly diminish the amount that you were trying to raise while at the same time eroding the economic foundation to the state which results in long term damage to state revenues.
Many State Democratic leaders understand that concept and will probably limit the amount of taxes that they will raise.
tbvegas,
"To the teacher that thinks a paycut is a tax on him personally - you are an idiot. Under your equation I have taken a 50% Tax hit and my wife a 100% tax hit as she lost her job last year. Consider yourself fortunate you are one of these immortal government employees."
Do your kids go to public school? Do you drive on Nevada's roads? Does your wife draw an unemployment check? Do you utilize any services provided by the State of Nevada at all? If so, you should share the responsibility of funding it. How can you not call a pay cut where the $ goes right into the GOVERNMENT'S pocket a tax? If only state employees benefitted from the services the state provides, I'm sure none of them would feel this to be unfair, much in the way that autoworkers are making wage concessions to save GM or Chrysler. The State is not a private company though, we all share in it, we all benefit from it, and we all should take a responsibility for its survival, not just a few "immortal government employees".
Taxation is theft; those mandating taxation are thieves, thieves are criminals.
A free society is one not shackled by criminals imposing mandates of theft.
Harley, you're a hopeless buffoon. Go home. Quote some Einstein for us a hundred times. Show how smart you aren't.
Nevada once made plenty of money from the huge numbers of visitors. It's over now. They're not coming here like they used to. If we follow the dubious wisdom of Mr. Gibbons, we will lower our standard of living. The roads will continue to crumble; forty eight kids will scream simultaneously in each of our classrooms; moms and dads will fight more because there's way less to get by on and troubles are brewing at every corner; the work of the people won't get done.
Either we recognize that services are valuable and choose to pay for them, or we try to deny the reality and it eats us. Nevadans will decide what we want. Let's just hope our legislators have the cojones to do what Zero failed to do - face reality.
GIBBONS WILL ALWAYS HAVE MY VOTE! This is in part because of his responsible stance on managing the budget. It's a tough job! I don't mind the 6% pay cut, it simply takes me back to my 2008 salary. I take the pay cut in a heart beat since it means fewer people laid off. THANK YOU FOR CARING ABOUT GIVING AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE THE OPPORTUNITY TO EARN A LIVING!
I found it difficult to fathom how jnance32 feels "You have to be careful about raising taxes---how much and when", yet whenever it comes to cutting state employees' salaries, he is the loudest cheerleader. Could it be that he is not a state employee? But does that have to make him to cheer for the disaster of "as long as it's not me"?
It is very sad to see how short sighted jnance32 is, and how cut-throat the like have become.
An analogy: For no reason at all, the Government decided to kill the pitbulls in the neighborhood. The jnance32s cheer because they never liked pitbulls. So they applaud the government's decision and bad mouth the pitbulls. Then it happened to bull dogs, doberman, golden retrivers, shi-tzu,...when it comes time that his chiwawa to be put down, he screams and cries that there was no justice, his chiwawa is absolutely harmless, adorable, not eating much,...Hey, the government's reason was really, "It's a type of dog." If it was applied to pitbull, it will eventually be applied to your dog, no matter how different you think your dog is from a pitbull.
Doesn't jnance32 see? Gibbons cuts the teachers' salary now, Gibbons will get to jnance32's money sometime. Jnance32 is very short-sighted to cheer for others' misery, while all people's fates are connected, and a crooked minded Governor is looking at you next.
I wish that people weren't so short-sighted. Cutting teacher pay is a great solution!! I will happily take a 6% pay cut since it means that they don't have to lay off as many of my co-workers. The young teachers deserve our sacrifice so that they aren't laid off. Plus, come on people, 6% is one year worth of raises. We can all sacrifice a little to keep our schools stronger.
Anyone can lead when time's are good -- the true test of leadership coming when adversity strikes. And the Gov failed the test. Reflexively spouting "no new taxes" isn't leadership, it's (vainly) playing to your base.
While efficiencies need to be found at all levels of government and pay may need to be capped or furloughs mandated, cutting repairs/improvements to existing infrastructure, cutting investment in our children (be it education or support), or failing to at least consider small or targeted tax increases is irresponsible & shortsighted. I disagree with the bank & auto bailouts, but for the life of me do not understand conservatives who seem more than willing to put families out on the street. No wonder the Dems seem to be on a roll across the country.
nevadaappleslices, please, come clean. Admit who you are. You are either JIM GIBBONS HIMSELF,
or JFNANCE32, as they are the ONLY 2 PEOPLE in the state of Nevada that are THAT infatuated with our Gov'ner. Your posts are so DISENGENUOUS
that a 6 YEAR OLD could read through the B.S. you sling. You are quite an instigator, as is nance, so I lean that way; But, I COULD see you as JIM GIBBONS HIMSELF, wearing a cheerleader's sweater with a BIG G ON THE FRONT! Sweeeeeeeeeet!
Nevada is going to die as a state unless we as citizens stand demand to keep the services we expect from state and local government. The governor and legislature both are too cowardly to call for what is needed to save this state - a state income tax like 46 of the states in the union. The 46 states which have income taxes have not crippled their economies by having an income tax, Nevada must join the real world and face the facts.
Gibbons and his staff should lead by example and reject the pay raises they recently received. I called his office with some questions about his proposed budget and their solutions to the problems these budget cuts will result in. I was told that the budget was out of their hands and to address all questions to the legislature. I asked the lady on the phone how Gibbons can justify asking state employees to take pay and benefit cuts while he gave himself and staff large raises. She said everyone deserved their raises because they were doing a lot more work. Isn't everyone doing a lot more work for less? I explained how just about everyone I know is doing the jobs of 2 or 3 people or working extra without charging the overtime. I asked what made them better than the rest of Nevadans. She hung up on me and no one has answered the e-mail I sent.
No one it seems has the political courage or will to see the proverbial white elephant sitting in the corner of the room...A graded personal state income tax.If you want to play,you have to pay.Hey,this way everybody can kick-in 6% or so of their annual wages,not just the much maligned state workers.Now that would be a workable solution.
GregoryBrown,
Hate to tell you, but graduate students at UNLV have long been disgruntled over their meager pay in comparison to tenure faculty. Many of us have heavier teaching loads than full time faculty, has the same public service requirements, and also have to finish our dissertation. Maybe if we felt that the faculty were fighting for us in either decreasing our teaching load, increasing our pay to a livable wage, or both, than the growing schism will not occur.