Nevada state treasurer’s budget calls into question his seriousness

Sunday, Feb. 22, 2015 | 2 a.m.

State Treasurer Dan Schwartz, who took office last month, recently introduced what he called an “alternative budget” to the one proposed by Gov. Brian Sandoval.

The plan promises cuts to government spending that Schwartz paints as excessive and dismisses the governor’s proposal to restructure the state’s broken tax system because it raises taxes.

Schwartz, a Republican, presented his suggestions to the state Senate Finance Committee this month, and he was fiercely opposed by senators from both parties. And for good reason.

Not only does his plan not add up, but it brings confusion to the process of how Nevada adopts its budget. Schwartz now has given an opportunity to fringe lawmakers to cite his budget plan, which was poorly conceived and unworkable.

The issue

Unlike the governor’s plan, which runs 3,361 pages, Schwartz offered a budget that was a three-page news release and had factual issues. It wasn’t an alternative budget so much as a political shot at Sandoval. Schwartz’s attack may seem odd considering he rode to office on Sandoval’s coattails, but that is the way state Republicans seem to operate these days.

In his news release, Schwartz said he and newly-elected state Controller Ron Knecht, “elected with fiscal and financial responsibilities, have reviewed the governor’s executive budget.”

The problem

However they reviewed it, it doesn’t appear either thoughtfully read it. Mike Willden, Sandoval’s well-respected chief of staff, has 40 years of government experience and said he was “appalled at the lack of research” in Schwartz’s plan.

Willden listed several examples of critical mistakes Schwartz made, such as not knowing where money came from or what it could legally be used for.

For example, in his original plan, Schwartz proposed raising fees on airline passengers to help pay for the state budget. He had to go back to the drawing board when he learned that was illegal.

Schwartz came back with an idea to add a tax on hotel restaurant and bar revenue, though he couldn’t provide a full explanation of how that would work or how much money it would bring in.

The power of office

Although senators rebuked Schwartz’s ideas, there is a larger issue of concern with Schwartz’s plan.

Now that Schwartz is state treasurer, his proposal carries weight because of his office. People actually may believe him, no matter how wrong he might be.

More so, there is a question about what authority Schwartz had to bring another budget proposal. Schwartz points to a state law as proof he can propose a budget, but state lawmakers didn’t buy what appeared to be a novel view of the law.

Senate Majority Leader Michael Roberson, R-Henderson, said Schwartz was “hijacking the process and bringing forward a three-page budget for political purposes.”

The politics

There is no doubt Schwartz is being political. He is part of an anti-tax, anti-government coalition of conservatives who are upset with the governor, even if they are in office largely due to Sandoval’s popularity.

Here’s a lingering — and troubling — question: If this is the work Schwartz did on the state budget, what is he doing in his own office?

Instead of trying to do the governor’s job, Schwartz should go back to the treasurer’s office and try to do the work he was elected to do.