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StumbleGovernor’s go-it-alone budgeting frustrates
Refrain emerges from several groups: We weren’t consulted
Wednesday, March 4, 2009 | 2 a.m.
Gov. Jim Gibbons
Sun archives
- Buckley: State could be down another $100 million (3-12-2009)
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State of the State 2009
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del.icio.usGov. Jim Gibbons’ administration thought it had a smart idea, one that would bring an additional $31 million to the Nevada treasury at a time of dire need.
The state would require casinos to pay taxes on markers — credit issued to gamblers — at the moment they are extended. Currently, the taxes are paid when the loans are paid off.
The change wouldn’t increase the tax, but it would speed up its delivery, which would help the state weather the recession.
It was a clever move. But it had a flaw. Casino companies weren’t consulted.
Once their lobbyists heard about the plan on Jan. 15, the day Gibbons gave his State of the State speech, they objected and Gibbons soon scuttled the plan.
In the great scheme of things, the state is no poorer than it was before. The money will arrive, just later than the state had hoped.
The idea is worth examining, however, because it illustrates something that has become clear in the 4 1/2 weeks of budget hearings that have gone on in the capital. Casino companies and local governments, rural legislators, sheriffs and even top state administrators say they were cut out of the budgeting process.
The budget was built largely in isolation.
In many ways, Gibbons’ staff members faced a supremely difficult task. They were told to prepare a budget with 36 percent cuts compared with what was approved in 2007.
In doing this, they tried to avoid deep cuts to health care services and K-12 education. Instead, they looked at large cuts to higher education’s budget, reductions of state workers’ and teachers’ pay and consolidating some services.
The administration scrambled to fill the $2.36 billion budget as the economy continued to sink. Gibbons continued to vow not to raise taxes, but he did not attend any budget meetings until the document was almost finalized.
Democrats and Republicans have been critical of the budget and promised to restore some of the cut funding. They have not said how they would pay to undo the cuts. Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley this week would not concede that a tax increase is necessary.
Still, legislators have noted that the budget was prepared without much input.
“Even unpopular decisions are received better if people believe that their voice has been heard,” Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie, D-Reno, said. “The testimony we are receiving repeatedly is that people were not consulted about the potential impacts these budget decisions will have, and many of them are frustrated and angry.”
In response, a Gibbons spokesman said the administration had faced a Herculean task and did the best it could under the circumstances.
“We did everything we could to prepare people about the budget, because the situation is so dire,” spokesman Dan Burns said. “Hundreds of things have changed. It would have taken hundreds of meetings.”
Nonetheless, the budget came as a big surprise to many sectors.
For instance, Gibbons proposed consolidating police training under the Nevada Public Safety Department by eliminating the Commission on Peace Officers’ Standards and Training.
Sheriffs and police chiefs throughout the state were completely unaware. They came last month to Carson City, in full dress uniform, to testify against the bill.
“The sheriffs and police chiefs were in opposition,” said Richard Clark, the POST commission’s executive director. “There may be a change in direction.”
Gibbons proposed closing a prison work camp in Tonopah. Community leaders in the area said they were never consulted about the effects.
The idea to move up payment of tax on markers came as a surprise to Bill Bible, president of the Nevada Resort Association. He said the industry worried that if it had to pay upfront on the markers, some of which are negotiated down or never repaid, it could cause them to lend less.
Bible, who had served as a state budget director under Richard Bryan in the 1980s, said he can understand the push.
“They put it into the budget at the last moment, and didn’t understand all aspects of the proposal,” Bible said.
Gibbons spokesman Burns said the casino marker advance had been put in the budget in late November or December.
“There were two months’ worth of tax and revenue figures that showed dramatic drops,” Burns said. “It became clear that that (proposal) put an undue burden on that industry at a time they were suffering pay cuts, layoffs, everything else.”
He pointed out Gibbons presented the budget six weeks ago.
“The budget is in the hands of the Legislature,” he said.
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Sounds like, Dan Burns needs to wake up a smell the coffee. Working for an idiot makes you look like one also. Better jump ship like the rest and leave the Gov. on the ship. Whatever happened to Dawn and Chrissy? Gibbons has less than 22 months and a move to his single wide in Elko.
Another very obvious Nevada Democrat State Party talking point "news article" by the Sun.
It is a very unbalance story.
It is funny though.
The Sun is harping that Gibbons adminstration did not get much input in his budget.
Yet, right now the Democrats are secretly discussing tax bills. They even to do not the balls to say in public that they might raise taxes. It looks like they will have a couple days and no more than one week of public discourse on the topic.
Hmmmmmmm....those taxes will put at risk thousands of jobs for Nevadans to lose their jobs and many business could be push off the cliff into destruction. It is funny....even Sun's staff jobs are at risk, too.
The Sun could care less putting something like into the article to balance it out.
Yep, the Sun is the mouthpiece of the Nevada Democratic Party.
The point being missed here is so evident, it's amazing no one caught it. If Gibbons had to meet with people about his budget, the people might include women. Whenever Gibbons is in a room with women .... Well, you know ....
Yes, it is very unbalanced, with no support for the governor.
(Except, you know, several quotes from Dan Burns, Jim Gibbons' spokesman!)
Man, when is the Las Vegas Sun just going to write all nice, happy stories about the Governor? I can't believe a newspaper is writing a story! Sheesh!
The point being missed here is so evident, it's amazing no one caught it. If Clinton had to meet with people about his budget, the people might include women. Whenever Clinton is in a room with women .... Well, you know ....
"Yes, it is very unbalanced, with no support for the governor."
Thanks
I guess Nance didn't actually read the story with support for Gibbons from Dan Burns, a paid spokesperson for Gibbons.
I found a commercial for you, Nance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPlDKLuCn...
LOL......the Sun "State Democrats' Mouthpiece" harps harps and then harps about the lack of input on the Gibbons budget.
Their proof is whining about a few small pieces in the budget. OMG!!!!.....the casino markers piece....what will we do!!!!!!!
But they totally leave out the 3,000 ton elephant in the room and that is the Democrats not having any public discourse on taxes which will result in Nevadans losing jobs.
Another lame "news story" from the Sun.......If I wanted to read this then I would have read some talking points memo from Buckley.
The Sun should make it easy on its readers. They should have a section called, "State Democrats' Talking Points" and place these "news stories" there.
So you've abandoned your prior talking point, then, jfNance32? Conceded that it was baseless and defenseless? Ok.
I guess you think $31,000,000 is worth laughing at. It was easy revenue that the governor could have used, had he taken the time to consult the industry. Instead, he kept his head in the ground, ignoring any and all who did not agree with him.
What a hero.
In times of crisis, such as these, $31,000,000 is no laughing matter.
LOL......it is funny that you are comparing a $31 million item to keeping a lid on public discourse on hundreds in millions or a billion of dollars in new taxes that could place thousands of Nevadans out of work.
Yes let's compare an ant to the elephant and focus on the ant.
You should apply for a job at the Sun. You will fit right in.
Comparing Gibbons to Clinton....LOL!
Clinton's exploit willingly dropped to her knees in the Oval Office. Gibbons followed a MILF into a dark parking lot and she had to fight to flee!
Dawn is divorcing Gibbons, Mrs. Clinton is Secretary of State!
Please.....get a life.
2zero....I guess you do not know that Clinton has a lady that accuses him of rape.
Also, Clinton often sent his goon squad to trash his ladies once they came out in public.
Please.....get a life.
4,000 comments, and you're telling someone to get a life, Nance? Good morning, projection.
Yes, I am the king.
But you might be in second with over 1,200 post.
Good morning back to you.....Mr. No.....who rarely (have not seen one yet) an original idea only poops on others' posts.
I guess someone sees 4000 comments as a badge of honor.
I just think it's sad.
Mrs. Clinton is still, Mrs. Secretary of State wife of Bill Clinton.
Jimbo is on craigslist.
Maybe he should stick to texting everything in.
I wonder what cigars Clinton's ladies smoke now these days.
When is Nance going to realize Gibbons is a pos, even his own party has shown the door. Nance where is the support from the GOP for Gibbons? Hear the crickets? Clinton was not a great leader either. As a republican, I can only hope they have a better nominee come election time.
jfNance32 is one of Gibbons' biggest defenders.
He jumps to his defense almost every day.
I think jfNance32 will be heartbroken when Gibbons is defeated in a primary.
Gibbons has mainly stuck to his guns on tax increases which I greatly appreciate. It seems that he is one of the few people who are looking out for everday Joe/Jane who might lose their jobs if tax increases are too high and/or the wrong types.
His proposal to reduce government salaries by 6% seems reasonable in this economic environment. Higher taxes will result in private layoffs. Instead of reducing salaries, he could have choosen to proposed massive government layoffs instead of salary reductions.
Has he made personal mistakes? Yes
Just like Clinton made tons of personal mistakes.
How much does Nance make from Gibbons? All personal issues aside, Gibbons decided to balance the budget the backs of State workers and defend his cronies on the Sage. Look at other States with no income tax and look for solutions instead of defending the gaming and mining industry that have Gibbons in their pocket. How many executives have their children in Nevada schools? Not private. Gibbons do nothing attitude got him elected and that's about it.
Let's look at states with income taxes and other "broad base" taxes like California.
Some are in far worse shape than Nevada.
Also, I bet you that Buckley will not proposed an income tax anyway.
They are not that dumb.
But who knows......Buckley is hiding under a rock.
"Some are in far worse shape than Nevada."
And some aren't, so your attempt to make some sort of connection between the tax structure of a state and it's economic "shape" eats itself alive. Furthermore, the structure that's being looked at doesn't mirror California's, so that connection doesn't exist, either.
Thanks for making my point.
Darkhorse is trying to make a connection between stable government revenue and tax structures. There is no such thing.
Like you say, "....attempt to make some sort of connection between the tax structure of a state and it's economic "shape" eats itself alive"
All this talk of changing the tax structure is just a smoke screen to raise taxes.
That does not mean that our state would not benefit from an equitable tax structure, nor does it address long-term issues of sustainable revenue that we currently have. Simply: an equitable and sustainable tax structure would have short-term and long-term dividends for the state.
The oddity here with Nance is that he had to fall back on Clinton. I would gladly have a president in the Oval Office getting voluntary service as opposed to a president who thinks he can ignore the Constitution and a governor without a brain.
"Simply: an equitable and sustainable tax structure would have short-term and long-term dividends for the state."
Now you are arguing with yourself.
You can not have it both ways.
California has a so-called equitable and "sustainable" tax structure and it is in a worse shape than Nevada. That state has every tax under the sun....personal income tax, business income tax, capital gains tax, beer tax, tobacco tax, insurance tax, sales tax, use tax, car tax, and tons upon tons upon tons of fees.
On top of that they have a so-called "diversified" economy.
There are in worse shape than us.
So it is clear that that is just a bunch of BS.
The Democrats want just more taxes. They should change the name of that party to Taxocrats.
MichaelGreen, you do realize Bush is gone, right??!!
As for your comments about a Pres getting serviced, thanks, good to know where you stand.
As for "The Gibbon" at least he made a decision. The Dems can't get off go.
Nobody wants leadership anymore, all they want is a "Yes" man. Hello, Mr. Obama.
"California has a so-called equitable and "sustainable" tax structure and it is in a worse shape than Nevada. That state has every tax under the sun....personal income tax, business income tax, capital gains tax, beer tax, tobacco tax, insurance tax, sales tax, use tax, car tax, and tons upon tons upon tons of fees."
Yes, because California is EXACTLY like Nevada!
Except it isn't!
The way tax revenue is structured is RADICALLY DIFFERENT. Do you understand that? Are you also able to comprehend that our industries are also RADICALLY DIFFERENT? Or are you going to try to sell me on Nevada's booming fishing industry? Our imports and exports? Agriculture? No? Okay then.
Here is my point, which flew over your head for the millionth time: Nevada and California share a border, they do not share the same economic profiles, nor would they share the same tax structure, even if our tax structure was modified in ways that have been proposed. Therefore, pointing at California and saying, "Look! It didn't work there!" is meaningless, for the simple reason that California and Nevada have so very few similarities.
See? Simple.
It is all BS.
All this is an attempt just to raise taxes.
I think people would take it serious if Democrats would say stuff like let's lower taxes here and raise taxes here.
Nope...it is a grab for more taxes.
Face it Gibbons is going under- big time.
I conditionally nominate Jfnance32 to run for and become one of the Gang of 63 in Carson City. His well honed rhetoric demonstrated in his prolific blog postings (which I am sure when put to task he can endlessly cite his proof certain) indicates that he should win him many votes and that he will serve Nevadans well. However, before I confirm my nomination and knock doors for him, I need a few critical cites and back ground information as follows: Are you an employer? If so how many employees do you employ full time and do you provide them an opportunity to obtain more then a shell of health care coverage, retirement and reasonable pay? Finally, what specific programs would you cut in order to save money in the Nevada budget? Be specific so you can tell the voters that your vision of government is likely not the same as theirs. The point is this, before you sling oversimplified rhetoric that is old, tired, useless, and falsely patriotic implying government is too big and that increasing taxes automatically causes job loss and additional governmental inefficiencies, you need to prove to Nevadans that you have a sufficient understanding to support your blog postings. Until then, as far as I am concerned, you have no credibility. Oh by the way, so you know my back ground, I am a CPA who employs two full-time and one part-time employees, and who in May or June of this year will begin providing health insurance to those employees who wish to participate. From a common sense check and balance perspective you should not talk to anyone about limiting revenues, in this case taxes, without also talking about cutting expenses - governmental services. Remember when your respond, the First Amendment Right protects your freedom of speech, not stupidity.
Mr. Nance, go back to Rush Limbaugh land. consider commenting over at the GOP mouthpiece: http://www.lvrj.com
You might feel better dealing with the reality presented over there.
Also, is Dan Burns the de facto Nevada Governor?
Yea! Yucca is dead. Nance liked Bush badly. Ding, dong Yucca is dead. Yea! Save Nevada.