Gibbons/Lawmakers square off on budget/tax revenue issues
While staring a nearly one billion dollar budget deficit in the face, Governor Gibbons and state lawmakers are already drawing lines in the sand about what they will or won’t consider in closing the state budget gap.
Governor Gibbons’ proposed cuts to education would run upwards to $200 million, requiring the layoffs of thousands of K-12 teachers and to shoe horn up to 50 students in each high school classroom, statewide.
As for Nevada universities and colleges, cuts requested by the governor would mean higher tuition for students and the closure of many college and university programs if not entire campuses.
Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley of Las Vegas said the key to Nevada’s economic recovery is education. “To cut it now makes no sense.” Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford said “the governor’s proposal would drive the state into a long-term economic depression.”
On the revenue side, Governor Gibbons is proposing to hire a Michigan company to set up highway cameras that would snap pictures of cars and trucks that are not properly registered or don’t carry insurance. Also that local governments and school district should be free of negotiated contract obligations. But legislative leaders shake their heads and say “ain’t gonna happen.”