Answers to questions remaining as clock runs

Friday, May 8, 2009 | 2:01 a.m.

In less than two weeks, state lawmakers plan to present a budget to The Man Formerly Known as Governor, who is holding his veto pen like a Damoclean sword.

Ø will veto the budget even though it could well be less expensive than the penurious and pusillanimous abomination he presented in January because it will contain tax increases, probably about three-quarters of a billion dollars worth, needed because of declining revenue to get close to the administration’s $6.2 billion. If all goes as planned — and land mines are dotted across the fortnight’s field — lawmakers will override the veto, finish their business and head home by June 2.

So what questions are left to answer? Glad you asked:

• How much will be restored in the higher education budget? The final decision should come today, although Chancellor Jim Rogers and some capital sources indicated Thursday that another $100 million could be restored in committee.

The Democrats are aided here by Senate Minority Leader Bill Raggio’s advocacy for the university and community college system and his desire not to have part of his legacy include the dismantling of the system he has propped up for so long. Rogers suggested Thursday on “Face to Face” that he hopes the final cut, pegged at 36 percent in the administration’s package, would be less than 10 percent.

“As long as it’s in single digits, we can reach that and survive,” Rogers said on the program. “We will not be a great university system. We’ll be just barely above mediocre or maybe less than mediocre. But, at least we can survive.”

Not exactly Gloria Gaynor-inspiring: We survived and we are mediocre! That’s about as ennobling a goal as reaching the national average in lower ed funding. Perhaps it can replace Battle Born as the state motto.

• How much will the local governments be violated to help balance the budget? Lawmakers will want to reduce the tax package by diverting/borrowing/stealing money from cities and counties. All manner of ideas are floating in the capital, including franchise fee, property and sales tax pilfering.

How much will they take? As much as they can get away with. What justification will they have? “Everyone has to pitch in to help,” someone will say.

And it will sound just as hollow this year as it has every year they rob Rory to pay Barbara.

• What does Sir Bill really want? One wag put it this way about Raggio, the still-masterful octogenarian: “I think Raggio manages the clock like John Wooden, and this all plays perfectly into his hand.”

Never has the constricting calendar favored Raggio’s tactics and strategy more. He always counts on a desire by weary lawmakers, most of whom are from Southern Nevada, to get home. With more pressure than ever not to have a special session Ø can control, Raggio probably believes he can extract even more. Will he insist on those tax sunsets the Democrats oppose? Will he make public benefit reform a line in the sand? What about any Northern Nevada initiatives he absolutely must have?

The Bill of Particulars, ever-morphing, will be longer than ever this year.

• So what will the tax package look like? Even Rogers all but acknowledged Thursday that a corporate profits tax was a negotiating card that must still be on the table. And there are many cards in that deck, which is why any reports of a “deal” are so premature.

Do the Democrats really want the payroll tax tripled — or would they settle for doubling? Have they really given up on a mining extraction — or will one pop up at the eleventh hour? And might Sir Bill give on a sales tax on services if only a few services were included?

Once we know the final revenue number — as early as today — we will know just how edgy this game of brinkmanship will be.

• Will there be a special session? There shouldn’t be. As critical as I have been of legislative leaders for not addressing the tax issue earlier and for hiding the ball for so long, they have been methodical and engaged.

That is process praise, not substance kudos. But they are on track to finish the budget today and continue the tax negotiations next week.

I can’t believe any Democrat or Republican in the capital wants to cede control of this dialogue to The Man Formerly Known as Governor because they know what kind of say they will have then: Ø.

Discussion: 5 comments so far…

By CarsonNewshound

5/8/09 at 7:13 a.m.

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Instead of "Battle Born" how about "Prattle Born and Striving for Mediocrity!"
By nednougat

5/8/09 at 8:08 a.m.

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I'm sure they'll raise the sales tax. I don't care, since I buy most of my hard goods on the Internet. But have they tried to make Internet retailers charge sales tax, like they're doing in NY?

Jon mentioned the property tax. This is where the public whores will nail us. Please don't let the cities have access to State money-The city of Henderson will spend like it's Christmas.....
By airweare

5/8/09 at 9:57 a.m.

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Before I leave this planet, I want to say what a pleasure it is to read a thoughtful, articulate analysis of our leaders. Mr. Ralston is a master of the written word. His reflections on this gang of 63 and zero, together with the impact their actions and inactions will have on so many of us, reach deep into my psyche, and I am grateful to be able to appreciate his views. Thank you for your dedication to benevolence, righteousness and decency.
By Future2012

5/9/09 at 7:41 a.m.

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Jon says the Govenor "will veto the budget even though it could well be less expensive than the penurious and pusillanimous abomination he presented in January"

If the lawmakers budget is "less expensive" than the penurious and pusillanimous abomination january budget - then what adjective will Jon come up with for the lawmakers budget?

But we are still LOL at Nevada.

We are just two weeks from falling of a cliff and we the people have no clue what the Lawmaker intend to do to the citizens of Nevada.

We will have not time to raise a response to the mess.

The Governor should veto the tax and spend plan to allow time for the citizens of Nevada a chance to read the fine print and react.

Jon says "As critical as I have been of legislative leaders for not addressing the tax issue earlier and for hiding the ball for so long, they have been methodical and engaged.....The Bill of Particulars, ever-morphing, will be longer than ever"

But they have not been engaged with us.

LOL the Nevada citizens are in the short end of the stick on this one.
By Jane_the_Entrepreneur

5/9/09 at 9:48 a.m.

Suggest removal

Once again the businesses of Nevada have an ax over their head waiting to drop. In 2003, the Legislature decided to tax live entertainment with a 10% tax. That ended the livlihoods of many musicians.
Now, there is a threat of a new tax on businesses
or the tripling of taxes for hiring an employee.
I knew that the Dems and Rhinos were going to stick it to us again. So I formed a new LLC in
Wyoming in January. Now I don't have to worry about my small business being attacked by greedy
legislators who only care about their government employees and their raises.
I have lived in Nevada since 1996. I have seen the growth of the public employee unions and their benefits. I have sat in the Legislature while Dina Titus, Maggie Carlton, and Bob Coffin
in 2004 buried an opportunity to cut back the lifetime healthcare benefits for those that retire at 50.
This state is owned lock, stock, and barrel by the Government union employees in the Legislature.
I applaud Jim Gibbons for his attempts to reign in the largesse. He speaks for a majority of Nevadans who don't want to pay more taxes.
I'm afraid Nevada is now California East where
unsustainable government employee benefits and welfare have bankrupted the state.
It's sad.
Thank goodness I had the foresight to take my business to Wyoming. In fees and license plates
I will save over $2,000 a year. My license plates now run $1,500 on my motor home Now they will be $60. My fees to license in Nevada ran $550 a year. Now they will be $50. I have an internet business and derive 0% of my revenue from Nevada.
I'm sure there are many more businesses that will make the same move that I have.
As soon as the market improves I'm selling my house. That will save me another $4,000 a year.
I'm leaving Las Vegas to all of the tax and spenders. I've had enough. The reason I moved here is gone. Low taxes? Not anymore.