CARSON CITY:

Gibbons shuns sessions on budget

Aides, adviser work to find cuts needed if taxes aren’t raised

Sunday, Jan. 4, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Carson City — In less than two weeks, Gov. Jim Gibbons is going to present his budget, severely pared down to keep his “no new tax” pledge in the face of tough economic realities.

But so far he has left the hours of decision-making in the hands of his senior staff members and at least one outside adviser.

Nearly every day, they meet in person or call in on a speakerphone in Chief of Staff Josh Hicks’ office, said Dan Burns, Gibbons’ spokesman.

Gibbons will occasionally be briefed on policy proposals, and Hicks said the governor will have the final say on major budget decisions.

But so far, Gibbons has not participated in these meetings, which Burns described as “spirited.”

Burns would not say who besides the senior state employees were on the calls. “It’s not germane,” he said.

“The people of Nevada, on Jan. 15, will see the details of the budget,” Burns said. “A lot of people are working a lot of hours on this budget. It is very, very difficult. No one is smiling, no one is laughing. It is not fun.”

Gibbons will present the budget when he gives his State of the State address in Carson City. The governor’s budget is commonly the foundation for the budget the Legislature eventually passes.

But this year, with Democrats in firm control of the Assembly and needing only two Republicans to join them to override a governor’s veto, officials are saying that if the cuts are too deep and the budget too conservatively ideological, they will throw it out and build their own budget.

Gibbons has rarely been in his Carson City office during the past month.

Besides Hicks, Burns and outside advisers, the other participants in these meeting are Deputy Chief of Staff Mendy Elliot, General Counsel Chris Nielsen, Legislative Director Jodi Stephens and Budget Director Andrew Clinger.

State workers, including some department heads, are nervous. They submitted proposals to cut their budgets by 14 percent, 24 percent and 34 percent, but have yet to hear back on what kind of cuts will be included in the governor’s budget.

Some observers think copies of Gibbons’ budget might not be printed by Jan. 15, meaning he could give his speech to a state that hasn’t had a chance to look at his decisions.

Gibbons has offered few clues on what his budget will look like, other than to say it will be smaller and more efficient and to reiterate that he won’t raise taxes.

Veterans of state government, both Republicans and Democrats, and previously tax-resistant interests such as the Greater Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce, say they do not see how Gibbons can balance the budget without raising revenue.

Yet Gibbons has instructed his staff to do just that.

The staff needs to find $2.3 billion in cuts from the previous budget approved by the Legislature. The budget approved in 2007 was $6.8 billion.

For hours, Gibbons’ senior staff members throw proposed budget cuts into an Excel spreadsheet. They argue. They take some proposals, deemed too severe, off the list. Some will eventually make it back on.

“We do have a heart. There are kids and single moms who don’t have jobs, who need help,” Burns said. “On the other hand, we cannot help everybody who needs help.”

The decisions they make are closely held secrets, though some hints have trickled out.

The governor has talked about no raises for state employees, Burns said. “We’re looking at pay cuts.”

Burns would not give a percentage they were considering.

He said they are looking at small projects — the state sets aside general fund money to remove bears from neighborhoods — and at big-picture policy ideas.

And they’re close to finalizing the budget, Hicks said.

“I do think we’re going to be a leaner government,” Hicks said, “but we’re still going to provide core services” such as public safety, health care and education.

Massive layoffs are likely to be avoided.

“We’re very aware of the economy and the high unemployment rate, and we want to avoid putting more Nevadans out of work,” Hicks said.

How they will do that, though, remains a closely guarded secret.

Discussion: 13 comments so far…

By annienonymouse

1/4/09 at 6:58 a.m.

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What an oxymoron.
By worstnightmere

1/4/09 at 8:44 a.m.

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Gibbons is like a Dark Ride for our Great State, Gibbons is truly a psychopath villain politician, No New Taxes?? The Joker Gibbons says? Right... What a moron Gibbons is...How can you not raise taxes to save this Great State?
By NevadaFive

1/4/09 at 9:46 a.m.

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Oh, boy we...lucky "people" will know what's on the governor's budget list (maybe) by Jan 15. I just can't wait, wait or wait any longer! I am pleased to read that Gibbons takes a cursory interest in the budget cutting procedures. The legislature is going to have one tough time with this bunch of clowns. While, I, too, am against raising taxes such as property and sales tax - most of us recognize that we'll have to pay a bit more for public safety, education and for sure: making certain those damn bears stay off the streets in Carson City!
By Davolas

1/4/09 at 10:53 a.m.

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I must say that I am very upset to see this the day following an article about city of Las Vegas employees taking a 1 percent cost of living decrease. Really? I am a state employee and more than willing to do my share to help with the situation that everyone is in. If that means no cost of living, then that is ok. If that means no step raise, I understand. But to take a pay cut while the city is merely cutting 1 percent off their cola is completely unjustified. I have not heard of the counties making any cuts yet either. So state employees can take the full hit while the people making 30 percent more than we do still get increases plus cola. For those that are unaware, state employees cannot have a contract like cities and counties, so Mr. Gibbons can pretty much do whatever he likes to us. I guess that is just easier than fighting the unions. My agency is teetering on the edge of disaster and more will be cut, there is not a doubt in my mind. This is not only salaries but complete agencies which are vital to Nevada's well being. Staffing is way below what it should be and the answer cannot be to cut more. There will be serious problems if that happens. Not just with my agency, but with the public. I am uninformed on who gets what from the budget, but if the cities and counties are getting any money from the state, then their take needs to be severely examined before any money is granted to them.
By tbvegas

1/4/09 at 12:49 p.m.

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Hate him all you want! I finally see a political LEADER and not liar. Finally someone takes the unpopular stand and admits you can only spend what you make! About time!

I don't care what happens to the budget as long as it only spends what it makes. And for all you taxusmorons! You raised taxes 800m a few years ago and lost 2.3B so far. I love that math. So here is my analogy, we can do what is right and not raise taxes and let it run its course. Or we can do what is stupid, raise taxes, kill off more business so they lay off more, and keep that cycle running as long as you want. Either way we can't pay anymore, Net-Net it's the same, and from our last attempt at taxes, I think it proves that raising taxes actually cost more than it makes. (maybe it is a good idea -- how low can we make it go, lol)

I love it when the servants feel it too.
By nvwilnd

1/4/09 at 3:10 p.m.

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By tbvegas
1/4/09 at 12:49 p.m wrote...

"Hate him all you want! I finally see a political LEADER and not liar. Finally someone takes the unpopular stand and admits you can only spend what you make! About time!"

I would like to know what makes him a LEADER??? Becasue of his tireless mantra "I will not raise taxes" or his lack of work... "Gibbons has rarely been in his Carson City office during the past month." Or his ability to get in there and do the work we elected him to do (NOT ME BY THE WAY!!)...."Gibbons will occasionally be briefed on policy proposals, and Hicks said the governor will have the final say on major budget decisions.
But so far, Gibbons has not participated in these meetings, which Burns described as spirited.

I think anyone who thinks that Gibbons is doing even a good job, either works for him, or expects a job from him.

TBVEGAS...How do you explain what your "LEADER" is doing to the office of Tourism...and what he is doing to the State as a whole with this......." The proposed director of the Tourism Commission, whom Gibbons tried to appoint on Christmas Eve without going through the process specified by law, got his application in on time."
Earlier in the week, Gibbons seemed to back off the appointment of Montero, an airline manager in Reno. According to statements by his spokesman, he seemed to accept that he did not have legal authority to appoint Montero, who is a friend of a close adviser to Gibbons.

Asked what Gibbons is thinking, Eric Herzik, a political science professor at University of Nevada, Reno, and a Republican, admitted, I dont have a good answer. Im trying to understand Jim Gibbons appointment philosophy, and it defies any traditional explanation.

Everything surrounding this Gov reaks of wrongdoing. What type of gall this man must have to think that 1) He is doing a good job 2) That he has any chance of further political office 3) That he is doing anything to better the State of Nevada.
How can the Gov of a State, which is suffering from an economic downturn, the likes we have never seen, not be involved in the budget process??? Don't say that he is being advised....he should be in there from day one untill the budget is approved. All I can say is Gibbons is an idiot and the faster we can make these two years go by, the better off we will all be.....
By MichaelGreen

1/4/09 at 3:22 p.m.

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How many women are involved in the budget talks? I'm sure they feel safer without Gibbons being present.
By jfnance32

1/4/09 at 3:33 p.m.

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It is a good thing that Bill Clinton is going to focus on foreign affairs for the next couple of years.
By tbvegas

1/4/09 at 4:06 p.m.

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Rant and rave all you want. Like I said, I love it when the Servants feel it too! I am just Joe business owner that cant pay any more for you tax absorbing public sponges. I don't care how many meetings he attends. I care about the direction he gives, like not taking from me to give to you. I don't like his morals, I don't like a lot of things he has done, but he is much better than the one he replaced. I love his tax position so far! So get mad and rant more, it gives me pleasure to hear you squeel.
By mschaffer

1/5/09 at 6:30 a.m.

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tbvegas:
Who exactly are you calling servants and how do you think it makes state employees providing needed services feel?
By tbvegas

1/5/09 at 1:54 p.m.

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I will care how they feel when they care about how my business is doing and what they can do to help me and not themselves. When they stop looking at me like a meal ticket to more raises, I will stop looking at them as mooches on MY payroll.

And let me get this straight, They want to be called public servants to feel good in the name of all the services they provide me, but cant handle it when its turned to represent who they actually work for. Like I said, I love it when the servants feel it too! Everyone in the private sector is living on half and dealing, and govt. employees cry at not getting raises. Cry! Cry! Cry! lol
By joey9

1/5/09 at 5:42 p.m.

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what the hell good is he?
By Another_Viewpoint

1/10/09 at 7:07 p.m.

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It is clear that Governer Gibbons' primary goal is to gut the benefits package and the wages of state employees without regard to other revenue sources.

What hasn't been told is how much he makes. In 2005 it was $117,000. A 5% cut won't hurt him much. However, lower paid employees, some at $12.65 per hour (pay grade 23), a $2 cut per hour can be significant. Yes, there ARE even lower grades at lower pay per hour, and there are more of them than there are $75,000 employees.

I am paid $2.00 less than the private sector for the same work. The only advantage was the benefits that he wants to cut. (GREAT incentive to dump the state and find a private sector job!!!) And cutting teachers' pay will have the effect of causing a mass exodus of good teachers. They're already 19th in pay. California pays better. Some highly paid, experienced employees can make 20 to 30% more in the private sector. Many have quit, and they can't attract qualified employees to replace them, as those prospective employees "don't want to take a pay cut."

Also, take a look at the unclaimed property websites for California and Nevada. Nevada owes ITSELF money! California owes Nevada for 9 different accounts. This HAS been brought to the attention of the Governer. He has ignored it. It has been brought to the attention of the State Treasurer. They are working on it. You'd think they'd take care of what is owed to them, and explore every other option for cuts before taking pay away from employees, but that only serves to show where their priorities are.

The Nevada Policy Research Institute, which has a member named Patrick R. Gibbons (I wonder if there's a little nepotism here????) recently made public their ideas on what should be done. They want to shut down the entire Business and Industry section. What they don't realize is that that includes the taxation office (which collects property taxes and business taxes which fund the government) and OSHA, which is Federally mandated. Just what we need, a Federal lawsuit and bankruptcy!!!! What the heck were they thinking? Answer, they WEREN'T.