Sun editorial:

Stamp of disapproval

Gibbons’ record number of vetoes demonstrates his pathetic performance as governor

Tuesday, June 2, 2009 | 2:06 a.m.

Gov. Jim Gibbons now holds the dubious distinction of vetoing more bills than any other governor in state history. As of Sunday, he had vetoed 48 bills in his 29 months in office, eclipsing the total number of vetoes issued by the previous three governors over the course of 26 years.

The Legislature was wrapping up its work on Monday by continuing to take up several vetoed bills and will surely set a record of its own. As of this weekend, lawmakers had overridden more than half of the bills Gibbons had vetoed.

Gibbons’ staff has claimed his high number of vetoes is due to “bad legislation.” Dan Burns, Gibbons’ spokesman, said the governor “takes no pride” in the record but “takes pride in standing up for what he believes in and in keeping the promises he made to the people who voted for him.”

Please. That is nothing more than the Gibbons administration’s weak spin on what should be abundantly clear: This pathetic record demonstrates Gibbons’ absolute failure to lead.

Unlike previous governors, who have worked with lawmakers to shape legislation before it passes, Gibbons is making his views known after bills land on his desk. Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio, R-Reno, who has been in the Legislature for 36 years, told the Las Vegas Sun that Gibbons is the least engaged of the six governors he has worked with.

Gibbons has used the veto haphazardly — even his staff isn’t sure what he will veto. For example, he rejected a bill that would have increased the gas tax in Washoe County, even though it was approved by voters. He also vetoed a bill that would create a rainy-day fund for education, a common-sense idea that even he said he supported.

As illogical as that sounds, that is just par for the course. Gibbons has been distant, acted irrationally and offered no solutions or leadership. If he had any shame, he would be embarrassed of his performance, as many Nevadans are.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By Future_2012

6/2/09 at 5:21 a.m.

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It just shows the kind of trash the Democrat lawmakers and their lobbyist will pass because they have to votes.

In a year when the revenue stream dries up then what will the Democrats do?
By larry5

6/2/09 at 8:06 a.m.

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"This pathetic record demonstrates Gibbons' absolute failure to lead."

What a statement to make! Doesn't it demonstrate the Democrats absolute failure to follow?

Picture Obama facing a largely Republican congress, one that would naturally reject his left-wing policies. Would you then say it demonstrates Obama's absolute failure to lead?
By ksand99

6/2/09 at 8:24 a.m.

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Great leaders engage their adversaries and forge compromises. Gibbons FAILED to do so, petulantly whining like a child.

He could have made the choice to get involved, to try to influence the legislation. Instead, he CHOSE to ignore the legislature. He CHOSE not to be a leader, but an adversary.

The record number of overrides proves he's a complete failure.
By neiman1

6/2/09 at 9:10 a.m.

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The constitution of the state is working. The legislature can pass anything it wants. The Governor is empowered to veto those he believes are bad.

Then the legislature has the opportunity to override this veto and enact the law. What was wrong with how this happened?
By El_Lobo

6/2/09 at 9:57 a.m.

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It doesn't take a "rocker scientist" to figure out that the governor failed to lead. He refused to work with the legislature and come to a series of compromises that were needed to start solving the state's economic problems....

In short, Gibbons took the attitude that it was "his way or the highway..." Where have we heard that before?

The legislature had no choice but to over-ride his vetoes. If allow to stand, the vetoes would have literally shut down the state....not a difficult concept to understand.

How many months remain of the governor's tenure? It's time to start looking for a replacement......hopefully some one who understands how government is suppose to work.