David McGrath Schwartz

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Recent Stories (view all stories)

Cuts would dramatically shrink Nevada safety net: Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010; During Gov. Jim Gibbons’ State of the State speech Monday, he told Nevadans to prepare for a smaller state government. Although the list of what he wants to jettison is not finalized, and some of these cuts need legislative approval, lawmakers privately have signaled that many will go through.
Governor sounds like the GOP candidate he is, observers say: Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010; The lesson of the night was that no matter who’s talking, the message is motivated by politics. In a State of the State address that sounded more like a rallying cry for conservatives to re-elect him, Gov. Jim Gibbons on Monday burnished his credentials.
Governor's speech will lay out state's budget problems: Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010; With the rapid pace of recent developments in Carson City, perhaps it’s time to answer some questions about the state’s troubled finances on the eve of Gov. Jim Gibbons’ rare even-year State of the State address.
Teachers resist increasing pressure to accept pay cuts: Teachers union rejects calls for pay cuts, insists tax hikes should be considered; Friday, Feb. 5, 2010; Teachers, long a popular and protected political constituency, face increasing pressure to accept pay cuts as lawmakers try to decide how to trim $881 million from the state’s budget.
Raid on local funds getting a closer look: Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010; As state leaders look for ways to address an $881 million budget deficit, the idea of using local government money earmarked for public works projects is gaining support among legislators.
Governor's staff proposes $328 million in budget cuts: Plan would cut funding for school districts and higher education by 10 percent each; Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010; CARSON CITY — Gov. Jim Gibbons’ senior staff released recommendations Wednesday evening to eliminate 235 jobs, close Nevada State Prison, and cut funding for school districts and higher education by 10 percent each.
Conservation League critical of Gibbons, gives grade of 'F': Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010; The Nevada Conservation League gave Gov. Jim Gibbons a grade of "F" on his conservation record, criticizing him for appointments to the Wildlife Commission, a "failure to lead" on environmental issues and not working more with hunting and conservation groups.
Gibbons: School districts should brace for 10 percent cuts: Tuesday, Feb. 2, 2010; School districts should prepare for a budget cut of about 10 percent, Gov. Jim Gibbons told reporters today after meeting with school superintendents.
Gibbons says state won't seek local government funds: Monday, Feb. 1, 2010; Gov. Jim Gibbons told city and county officials today he wouldn't go after local government tax revenues or public works funds to balance the state's $900 million deficit. "We don't want to pass anything down," Gibbons told reporters.
Open government is a promise seldom kept: Most of the wrangling on Nevada’s budget deficit, as with the U.S. health care reform debate, has been behind closed doors; Sunday, Jan. 31, 2010; Transparency is the kissed baby of political rhetoric, an unassailable position for politicians.

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Recent Blog Posts (view all entries)

Where's Gibbons? In the meantime, Sen. Schneider in charge: Friday, March 13, 2009; Gov. Jim Gibbons is out of state, as is Lt. Gov. Brian Krolicki. That means gubernatorial authority rests in the hands of Sen. Mike Schneider, D-Las Vegas,.
Elko seems to bring out Gibbons' ire: Monday, March 2, 2009
Assemblymen claim conservative caucus doesn't exist: Thursday, Dec. 11, 2008; Maybe conservative Assemblyman Ty Cobb now knows how Assembly Minority Leader Heidi Gansert feels.
Governor wants to eliminate step pay increases for teachers, state employees: Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2008; No state employee paying attention to the state's fiscal health was expecting a cost of living adjustment in the next two years. But now, Gov. Jim Gibbons said he plans to eliminate step increases for state workers and teachers.
Budget deal approved: Monday, Dec. 8, 2008; The Legislature's job is done in under 9 hours, quicker than even the most optimistic observer predicted for the special session.
Assembly moves ahead on two budget bills: Monday, Dec. 8, 2008; Assembly passed the first bill, calling for the sweeping of government accounts, unanimously.
Budget deal contains 'revenue enhancements': Monday, Dec. 8, 2008; The Las Vegas Sun has obtained a copy of the plan to cut $341.75 million from the budget.
A look at the budget cut history: Monday, Dec. 8, 2008; A little history lesson on the budget cuts from budget director Andrew Clinger:
Republicans are the wild card in budget deal: Monday, Dec. 8, 2008; The Assembly and Senate are in session, going through the ceremonial portion of the agenda.
Local governments could hurt budget deal: Friday, Dec. 5, 2008; Some local governments are more than worried about the state's plan to borrow up to $160 million from them. Some have actually pulled out there money, fearing the state would not repay them.