Gov. Brian Sandoval takes inaugural oath, strikes optimistic tone

By Cy Ryan

Published Monday, Jan. 3, 2011 | noon

Updated Monday, Jan. 3, 2011 | 2:34 p.m.

In an inaugural address brimming with optimism, Gov. Brian Sandoval pledged today that Nevada will have a smaller, more efficient government during his administration.

In the 12-minute speech given on the front steps of the state capitol before a crowd of about 400, Sandoval expressed hope that Nevada will emerge from the economic recession that has dragged on for years. He stressed opportunity and optimism for the state that faces a budget deficit of anywhere from $1 billion to $2.5 billion.

He used the word "opportunity" 10 times and "optimism" six in the three-page speech.

"By 2014 we will emerge with a smaller, more efficient state government, an education system we can be proud of, and a supply of good jobs transformed by a forever-changed economy," he said.

"Together we must craft a new promise of opportunity for tomorrow — even if it means sharing in sacrifice today," he said.

He has pledged to veto any tax increase, instead planning to make cuts in government spending.

"This will not be easy," he told the crowd, which braved temperatures in the 30s and a half-hour delay in the ceremony's start because of a PA system failure. "I find no satisfaction in the difficult decisions we must soon make."

The speech was interrupted 12 times by applause, including once when he praised Gov. Jim Gibbons, whom he defeated in the GOP primary election. Gibbons did not attend the ceremony.

Chief Justice Michael Douglas administered the oath of office to Sandoval and the state's four other constitutional officers. Other officers who took the oath of office for second terms were Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki, Secretary of State Ross Miller, Treasurer Kate Marshall, Controller Kim Wallin and Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto.

Sandoval, who defeated Gibbons in the Republican Primary and Rory Reid in the general election, is the third consecutive Republican to hold the office and the second of the three to hail from Reno. In a pair of firsts for the state, Sandoval is the state's first Hispanic governor and the first to be sworn in by a black chief justice.

Attending the ceremony were former Govs. Richard Bryan, Bob Miller and Bob List. Others attending included U.S. Sen. John Ensign, Rep. Dean Heller, former Congresswoman Barbara Vucanovich and state Sen. Bill Raggio, the longest-serving member in the state Senate.

Sandoval's children, James, Maddy and Marisa, led the Pledge of Allegiance.

After the swearing in, Sandoval hosted a public reception in the state library behind the capitol. A state dinner is planned for this evening for about 40 state leaders at the Governor's Mansion.

Before his swearing-in, Sandoval, his wife Kathleen and family attended a special mass at St. Teresa of Avila Catholic Church. Pastor Father Chuck Durante said this was the first time there has been a special mass for a new governor.