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Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009 | 2 a.m.
“Nevada government should meet the needs of the people; people should not meet the needs of Nevada government.”
— Gov. Jim Gibbons, State of the State, 1/15/09
It would appear that the Gibbonsites are most proud of this line from his serpentine speech, which began with the ridiculous (drug-sniffing dogs, a fire commission), detoured before having any chance to reach the sublime (a thoughtful, serious philosophy) through no-tax doggerel and conservative shibboleths, and concluded with his “One Nevada” puerility.
Forget One Nevada. It is clear after the governor’s State of the State that, despite what his critics have averred, he does have a vision. It can be summed up in four words: Backwater to the Future.
Even before Gibbons took a sledgehammer to the foundation of the higher education system and locked the state in the national lower education cellar for years to come, the state never adequately met the needs of its people, and government here is far from bloated.
I am now more convinced that Gibbons has no idea what he is talking about. I assert this not because of his rote recitation of cliches for an hour Thursday evening, nor his abdication of any discussion of budget priorities in the run-up to his address, nor the abject fear I saw in his staffers as they closed in on him, like a mother trying to rescue a cub threatened by jackals, to whisk him away after only a few questions after the speech.
I assert this because his rhetoric is so at odds with the information embedded in his own administration’s budget documents. For instance, on Pages 18-19 of the “Executive Budget in Brief,” two charts are provided.
The first shows the number of state employees per 10,000 residents. Nevada finishes 46th, with 111. So his proposal is to take what obviously is a group of overworked employees and cut their pay.
This is Nevada government meeting the needs of the people? No, this is a Backwater to the Future.
On the next page is a chart showing state and local government employee compensation as a share of total gross state product. Here Nevada is tied for 49th at 6.5 percent. So his claim that he had nowhere else to go but state worker pay when considering how to balance the budget is contradicted by the numbers his administration disseminated.
This is Nevada government meeting the needs of the people? No, this is a Backwater to the Future.
So Gibbons either is lying or he is ignorant. And frankly, it doesn’t matter which because the result is the same.
Many governors before Gibbons have exaggerated and bloviated in their States of the State. But rarely have they dissembled and omitted as Gibbons did Thursday.
Some of the rhetoric was general and disingenuous: “As governor, I must first and foremost look at the economic situation of our people to ensure that our state government does not ‘pile on’ and make our citizens’ problems worse.”
By “citizens,” I assume he means everyone who is not employed by the state, a public school or the higher ed system and anyone who uses those services.
In other parts of the speech, Gibbons was specifically misleading. “We have maintained Nevada Check Up so low-income children can receive the health care they need and deserve.”
Considering that Gibbons’ budget caps the program at 25,000 — and the waiting list would already put the total over that ceiling and only about half the eligible kids are enrolled now — once again he either doesn’t know the truth or doesn’t care. And once again, the answer is irrelevant, and the vision is clear: Backwater to the Future.
The governor, in his speech, either didn’t know the correct figures or ignored them when he declared that his budget “is $2.2 billion smaller than the one we submitted just two years ago.”
That’s not even close. Two years ago, the budget was $6. 8 billion. Gibbons’ budget is $6.1 billion. He didn’t even hew to the Economic Forum estimates, buffing his budget by a half-billion dollars with at least three de facto tax increases — appropriating room taxes, stealing from the state’s major counties and taxing markers even if they are not collected in a timely way.
The budget does not meet the needs of the people; it meets the political needs of one person: Jim Gibbons. It’s a simple, but potent, vision for Nevada from a man who doesn’t even know or care how the state operates or what is in his own budget:
Backwater to the Future.
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Gibbon's plan is the best one that will protect the most jobs both private and government. Gibbon's plan does increase the hotel room tax and that will most cause some vistors (how many?) not to return to Las Vegas when they get the hotel bill. His plan only has some 300 government sector layoffs.
I am confident that Buckley's plan (currently she is hiding under a rock somewhere) will have higher taxes that will kill many more private jobs and will most likely have more government sector layoffs than Gibbon's some 300.
Gibbon's plan is a job salvation plan.
Buckley's plan will most likely be a job killer plan.
jfnance32...
Your comments show just how out-of-touch you are. You post on these topics time after time blowing your no tax, government is the problem, we have a spending problem, not a revenue problem, etc. I am sure you watch BillO and listen to Rush every day. People like you ARE the problem!
You had you arse kicked in this last election, so all you can do is cry like a baby.
Move to the New Bush White House in a whites only neighborhood in Dallas. He will be happy to tell you every day how good he had it.
Nevada has the lowest tax rates and revenue of any state. Your moronic comments read like the leader of the "no new tax" crowd. He home-schooled his kids and thinks that the public schools and universities should be abolished. He thinks every kid should be home-schooled. What planet is he from?
Maybe we should do away with the minimum wage and pay all employees $1 per hour. I'll bet you hated Kennedy for establishing that program.
You don't want jobs. You want more money for yourself for that 4th car.
I don't think just raising taxes will work. It wlll take taxes and cuts to do the budget. It will take someone who can go through the budget line by line to see how we can cut spending AND create new revenue streams.
It will not be Gibbons. A monkey could do a better job. I know your head is exploding about now, but try to get a grip. This state will die without UNLV and UNR. UNLV would close. Could you pay your mortgage, assuming you have one, with a 50% cut? Do you realize why new business will not move to Nevada or start a company that needs an educated work force? It's because Nevada does not have an educated work force. After years of casinos creating jobs that don't require a high school degree, we are left with the current mess.
If you hate the situation all of us are in, try working on educated ideas. If not, then move to another state.
Oh, thats right. They pay more in taxes.
Is it just me, or is jfnance part of Gibbons appointed cronies? How do you explain that his plan, coincidentally takes care of all his financial contributors and SAGE members? Perhaps you never read the Emperors New Clothes.
Gibbons truly is IRRELEVANT to the future of Nevada politics, maybe Dawn will leave him with enough that he doesn't need State assistance.
Nance is at it again with his gibberish. I really think that Nance sits around all day getting high and blogs when he is totally wasted and eating cereal, watching cartoons.
The whole proposal is garbage. Gibbons is not a supporter of education by any means. He is focusing on the group of people and places that will actually make this world a better place. Teachers are the cornerstone of our future. Without passionate teachers, our students will flounder and fall by the wayside. Passionate teachers need to be paid and treated like they are an important part of society. I don't hear any proposals to cut doctors pay or lawyers pay or even Judges pay. Why on earth would he focus on the underpaid teachers of Nevada?
I love teaching and I will miss it if I have to leave, however, I have a child that deserves to eat and have his medications filled without his mom crying because she can't afford to buy food this month. I live hand to mouth as it is and if these cuts come to light, I will be forced to find a more lucrative profession. One that doesn't dream up proposals that include cutting my pay as a viable option.
I really believe we should get rid of this governor and find someone competent to create solutions during our time of crisis.
The solution is to tax the people that come to Nevada for a good time. They can afford to pay more for their fun. The casinos can afford to take a cut in profits. Tax cigarettes and junk food.
Freeze teacher hires for now and dramatically cut administration jobs. Cut down to one secretary and one dean at each school. Utilize the school nurse and call parents if students are sick so we don't need a FASA on campus.
Cut counselors to two per school instead of three counselors at the middle school. Increase our class size so we can keep our paychecks. Give us back our raises because we earned the raises.
I for one will be dropping my union when the time come because I pay for a union that can not stop this madness and I will need the money when they cut my pay.
Not only does the 2009 legislature need to dump Gibbons proposal right into the trash, they need to initiate an overhaul of the tax structure to take a look at where taxes needed to be adjusted to make this state's tax structure FAIR to everyone in Nevada. Mining and gaming do not pay their share. Tax mining and where will they move to? They will stay in Nevada where the gold is - the gold that belongs to all of the people of Nevada. Gaming will not go away, it will stay in the entertainment capital of the world. Tax rates for gaming in all other states is 3-4 times higher than gamers in Nevada pay.
I will be contacting my legislators and demanding action on a tax restructuring plan.
I ENTHUSIASTICALLY AGREE WITH YOU JOHN. Thank you for sharing your wisdom and intellect. You have been a breath of fresh air over the years: stamping out the stench of political-self-serving selfishness.
It is the political-self-serving government workers who are more interested in keeping their benefits and salary intact than the lost of jobs in either the government sector or the private sector.
Follow up:
Nevada casinos pay 6%, the lowest of any state tax on commercial casino gaming. Missouri is 20%, 24% in Michigan, and 34% in Pennsylvania.
http://www.americangaming.org/Industry/s...
So 6% in Nevada and the only place the Governor could find revenue is to cut State employee pay? It is the only place he could find money without hurting all of his cronies, the ones who pay into his legal defense fund and who support him when he does not pay his property taxes in full.
We pay this man, we pay for his housing, utilities, transportation and we get nothing but lies and deception back.
Jim Rogers was right - Gibbons is an idiot.
If something isn't done about this situation, Las Vegas will fill open teaching positions either with subs or with the worst teachers from all over the country who cannot get a job elsewhere, and will stay here for years.
Most teachers are reasonably intelligent, decent, and very hard-working. However, there are some dim ones out there, and some lazy ones, who still have teaching licenses. Keep it up, and they'll no longer be "out there," they'll be the core of Nevada public education.
Thanks again Jon for you outspoken and right on the mark article.
Gibbons is a lying idiot. Everyone knows that (except nance).
It is time for the legislators in the state to grow up and act like adults. We are in a crisis and it needs to be solved. They asked for this job by running for election. Now it is time for them to do what they are paid to do.
p.s. To starrynite:
I am with you. I feel for you. My kid has seen way much too much crying - and anger and bitterness - for lack of financial means, even as I worked a ridiculous amount at my job. Any cut for me means finding a way out of this miserable state. I will not stay here and have to declare bankruptcy, which a couple of fellow teachers have had to already. Especially not while I work fifty hours or more per week - less than I worked for the first four years.
Gibbons needs to be recalled, then put on a permanent salary of a Nevada teacher.
I am sorry, and I understand. I dropped the CCEA, and feel like an utter fool for the five thousand they got from me before I did. For me, that's my next car.
You're in my thoughts. I keep trying to tell myself that life can change and get better, but it's difficult in this job. In this job, in this city, it seems it can only become worse. Even without cuts, how do I spend the next decade or two with no step raises to offset increases in cost of living? I am actually being bankrupted by my job, having to spend more than I make to live minimally, with no fun, no luxuries, etc. I know what you're going through. Hang in there. You're caring for your kid, and that's number one, and if you have to get help from family, get it. If you can't, just hang in there. Eventually your kid will get to a decent, independent place because you have been a good parent.
Let's hope this sends teachers into true unionizing, working together to improve the terrible working conditions and treatment, which includes poor pay.
Good luck finding an alternative. Sending hope your way.
jfnamce, you are not going to win this battle...
I wonder how much Gibbons is paying you to be one of his cronies? In the end the TRUTH will be told to everyone about Gibbons... Lying, Cheating, Kickbacks, Stealing, Threatening, and the big fat bully he really is... Gibbons is one of the "worst" corrupt politicians our Great State has ever endured in the history of Nevada.
We realize that Jon is running Buckley's Gov race for 2010, and must trash Gibbons.
But at this point it is only about the tax and spend budget that Buckley puts out for the veto proof lawmaker to approve.
Where is Buckley's budget.
Well, by all means, let's keep on spending the tens of millions that we do to support the illegals and their famously over-achieving anchor babies.
JFinance, don't listen to the whiners, they belong in California and have no concept about the negative consequences higher taxes have on the well being of the private business sector.
As for the rest of you, you want good schools? Then move to Greenwich!!
Raise the Casino tax?--I'm looking forward to coming this year if there are any casinos left.
If ya don't like Gibbons, impeach him; if ya want infrastructure, ya gotta pay! Maybe time for a (drum roll) State Income Tax.
Gibbons should have worn a Newmont Mining jacket during his speech with an MGM hat. Gibbons is the epitome of a corporate puppet. Since when is the government resposible for a comapnies profits? Whether a company makes 1 million or 100 million, they still could lay off people. I don't see alot of foreclosures in Quuensridge or Glenbrook at Lake Tahoe.
Where are the Legislative Republicans in all this?
Gansert seemed to politely laugh off the notion of Gibbons' budget on Face to Face. Townsend has been heard openly ridiculing Gibbons' budget. Where's Raggio?
It's unfortunate that Gibbons has left his job up to the legislature. As we saw during the press conference early last week, Gibbons had to rely on Clinger, his budget director, to correct Gibbons' understanding of Gibbons' budget. Gibbons had no idea what his own budget said.
Yes, the Norquist brigade is championing the death of higher education. Anything to "starve the beast," right?
Gibbons had a unique opportunity. We've seen that his reelection campaign is in the crapper. People aren't donating. Gibbons' asinine pledge to keep Nevada in the stone age isn't helping his cause. He could have come out with a grand gesture, a budget which balanced some targeted cuts with targeted revenue increases. Instead, he declared war on higher education in the State of Nevada.
He even had an "out" with the No New Taxes automatons. Revoke the outrageous tax deductions of the mining industry... make them pay their Constitutionally-mandated taxes. Even on something as simple as this, which is a way to sidestep his own pledge, he punted.
Gibbons decided to leave it all up to the Legislature... proving Gibbons' ultimate irrelevance.
Legislative Republicans are non enities since they can not affect the outcome.
It is up to Buckley now now
Where is Buckley's tax and spend budget.
Buckley is missing in action.
Gibbon's gives out his budget.
Then theBS ask where are the legislative Republicans.
Are not the Democrats in charge of both houses?
Buckley was very vague in her speech.
She could have said the Democrats would try to pass a bugdget where the bulk of the shortfall was going to be on the backs of the taxpayers and then asked the citizens to support that.
She did not.
Here is her webpage: i_am_hiding_under_a_rock.com
Of course the Democrats have majorities in both the House and Senate, but that does not mean that the Republicans don't have a job to do.
In fact, Gibbons could veto anything sent to Carson City, and without the support of Republicans, nothing would be done.
If you listened to the republicans, you would think it was all up to the Democrats. That's a simple, dumbed-down version of civics. Not all Democrats vote the same way, just like not all republicans vote the same way. In reality, all the bills usually have a variety of support.
If what I read was true, I think the republicans should give up their seats to Democrats, if their presence doesn't matter, let's get some people in those seats that will make a difference!
But there is a good point: we have heard how the Democrats disagree with the budget. I guess republicans like Heidi Gansert and Bill Raggio agree with Gibbons... I guess they agree we should kill higher education.
Is that new the republican platform for Nevada? Kill higher education?
Unfortunately, since they haven't told us what they think, that's the only conclusion I can come to!!
So funny.....demanding the minority power in the legislative branch to make a stand.
Where is Buckley?
She had an opportunty to explain to the citizens that we should sacrifice our jobs and money to save the great government machine.
She could have said, "We going to raise taxes a whole lot and there are going to be no or very little cuts."
She did not.
She punted big time.
Of course I expect elected leaders to speak out.
That is what it means to show leadership, to represent their constituents.
I guess you are ok with republicans sitting on the sidelines, twiddling their thumbs. That is a very poor thing to do, and Nevada taxpayers should demand answers from their elected representatives. The republicans aren't showing any kind of leadership. We should stop paying them for their silence.
Do the republicans support Gibbons plan? Do they have alternatives? Are they even considering anything else, or are they going to take a back seat to Democrats?
They seem to be very happy to hide in the shadows, to keep their skin out of the game. At least Buckley and Democrats are speaking out, preparing alternatives.
Republicans seem to be shadow legislators. And we are paying them for it!
Sorry, but the dumbed-down explanation of republican power just doesn't cut it. I see the republicans on this board can't even defend their own.
They recognize what I'm saying as the truth.
Meanwhile, I'm happy to let Buckley and the republicans craft a budget. I'll be patient to see what they come up with, and how Raggio, Gansert, Townsend and the other republicans react.
Will they engage in the struggle, or just sit back and continue to cower in the shadows?
I guess they don't have any solutions, otherwise we would have heard something from them by now.
Ha, what a Nance double standard.
Dems have control of the Senate but can't overcome a Republicans filibuster, nor can they override a veto by Gibbons without substantial support from the Republicans.
He says Buckley's nowhere to be seen, but anyone who bothered to watch the State of the State saw her address, carried by most local news stations.
Meanwhile, where ARE the Assembly and Senate Republicans? I haven't heard a peep.
If Nance is demanding full details from Democrats, he should hold Republicans to the SAME standard, not excuse their absence.
The Democrats in the Assembly can pass whatever budget they want to. If Gibbon's vetos or the Republicans in the Seanate do not vote it then they can blame them for not allowing an "all tax and no cut" budget.
She said nothing of value in her speech just a vague references that Gibbon's plan was bad.
She should show leadership and tell the citizens that she wants to save government jobs over private jobs.
I would be happy with just a big picture from her. Like for instance, does she want a ton of tax of increases.
Can she do that? She could say that she wants a billion dollar tax increase.
She is not a leader. She ran away and is in hiding.
I am glad Buckley is taking her time. She has nothing to prove to anyone, let alone those with double standards who want to excuse republicans and their inexplicable silence. The legislature has several months before it needs to have the budget passed. I welcome all ideas, and the more time spent considering our options the better!
Republicans will let their leader, Jim Gibbons speak for them. I don't think that's very wise, as most polls I've seen has Gibbons budget dismissed by the majority of Nevadans. I guess the Republicans only plan is to cut the pay of teachers and to eliminate higher education.
That won't play very well in the 2010 elections, but if that is their platform, as that's the only one the have presented, Nevada voters will vote them out in droves.
Legislative republicans would be wise to distance themselves from Gibbons, as Gibbons is having problems raising funds for releection. It is no wonder why!
Jfnance32, you want Buckley to present a full budget and full details, even though we pay her a fraction of what Jim Gibbons is paid. You should be thankful she is working hard to come up with a plan that won't destroy higher education.
But that's ok, you seem to really hate Barbara Buckley. I know she's not perfect, but she's doing the governor's job.
Maybe Nevadans will promote her in a few years so she gets paid for her work.
Jon,
Talk about reaching for a statistic. You got on Andy when he said Nevada ranked 16th for state worker pay and you basically stated that people can finagle statistics. You really have to reach to find worker pay as a percentage of GSP. But that one doesn't matter. Nevada has an above average GSP AND an above average state worker pay. Period.
Furthermore, the Governor's proposed budget was $17.3 billion. $900 million short of the one he proposed 2 years ago. It was $18.2.
Doubly furthermore, General Fund spending for 05-07 was $5.8 billion, it will be about $6.2 billion for 07-09 and $6.17 billion for 09-11.
Really, $2 billion short? Have you asked Andrew Clinger how he's done his math yet?
When he got elected, we didn't know if he was ignorant or arrogant. Now we know; it was both.
Is Governor Gibbins taking a pay cut? Is his board or cabinet? Is there a place we can go to see his annual salary and has he received an expense reduction? Don't get me wrong ... I wouldnt want to be in his shoes today... After breifly looking over the budget cuts I find myself asking these questions:
I wonder if the state and cities of Nevada have over employed their offices? Do the state and city workers wear 3-6 hats as most other non-government employees have to do these days?
The city of Las Vegas has a cafeteria. I am wondering if the tax payers are covering any expenses related to the cafeteria? Wouldn't the city be doing the local restaurants a favor by cutting the cafeteria? I've also heard the cost of the meals offered is a couple of bucks. (only hear say) If that IS true.... wouldn't that be nice?
What if Nevada did not have a welfare system available to anyone that has not worked here for over a year? At least those in need would have first contributed to the "should be" short term system.
Does the school system provide their own maintenance, mechanical, electrical and landscape maintenance departments? Do those employees work a true full 40 hr week? Why wouldn't the districts subcontract that work to local contractors (stimulating the economy) and reduce their expenses. At least the costs would be real cost, meaning they will pay for work performed vs. employees waiting to perform.
These are questions I think of when faced with such a financial crisis and reading these types of articles. I am just not sold on taking from the teachers, the school districts and the health programs to make up for lost funds. I am sure budget cuts can be found elsewhere.
Sincerely,
Amber Smith
Ralston you are an idiot... since when does 111 government employees per 1000 of population mean they are overworked ? Have you ever been in a government office in your life? Believe me NO ONE is overworked.
Nevada - #4
http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com/Tax...
tvegas, I beg to differ. I have known MANY hard working public servants. Overworked AND underpayed. Also, some rotten eggs, as you also get in about equal proportion in the private sector. Yes, I am fully aware bad employees are typically harder to fire from a government position. That is a problem.
Also, I checked yer little tax article...I see Nevada is actually about average. Also, it's as much about what you do with what you collect as how much you collect in the first place. These are called "priorities." And I truly wish Nevada would set some.
jfnance must be Chuck Muth in disguise, only that Gibbo boot licker would agree with Gube Gibbo. Nancy forgets the state voted blue, and for the first time more registered dems than repubs. Ralston masterfully picks apart Gibbo budget, and it is true, he has no clue what he is doing.
I voted for Jim Gibbons and am willing to say I wasted that vote.
I can't believe what a mockery this guy is. Just watching this clown in action make me sick.
It almost makes me wish we could do a recount and anybody that has changed their minds can now vote for somebody else.