Leaving his job unfinished

Thursday, March 19, 2009 | 2:07 a.m.

Republican Gov. Jim Gibbons has some nerve telling Democratic legislators to be more transparent in their plans for fixing his pathetic state budget proposal for the next two years:

First, he announced he would refuse to sign legislation to increase room taxes even though he included the anticipated revenue from that bill in his budget package.

Second, the governor followed up on that bizarre decision with another gem — he is refusing to propose new ideas to fill projected budget shortfalls.

As reported online Tuesday by the Las Vegas Sun’s David McGrath Schwartz, Gibbons informed legislators in writing that under his interpretation of the Nevada Constitution, once he proposes his budget, “it is up to the Legislature to decide whether to accept or modify that budget.” He said he would only submit budget amendments to address federal stimulus money or following the May 1 Economic Forum meeting where state revenue projections will be discussed.

It doesn’t matter to Gibbons that there is a growing deficit in his proposed budget. The governor would rather walk away from his responsibility to remain engaged in Nevada’s fiscal affairs.

Assembly Ways and Means Committee Chairman Morse Arberry, D-Las Vegas, made a scathing indictment when he wrote to Gibbons: “I am truly amazed with your assessment that the governor’s responsibility ends when the proposed budget is submitted for review by the Legislature. I believe you are the only governor in at least the past 30-40 years that would make such an assertion.”

Gibbons continues to find new ways to make himself irrelevant, something this state cannot afford.