John wrote on December 01, 2007 11:56 AM: So the projected shortfall is over $258 million and we're already $49 million under expected. The democrats suggest tapping the $267 million rainy day fund right away, forget cutting spending, let's keep spending like drunken sailors, we can piddle it all away, we'll get more, we're the GOVERNMENT. The higher education system needs to cut their spending and building, they don't have as many students to serve. The local school districts need to trim the fat and bureaucracy out of their budgets, they serve no purpose but to waste taxpayer money. While they're at it, the schools can stop building so many new schools since the population isn't growing at breakneck speed anymore.

Tom Turkey wrote on November 30, 2007 10:56 PM: Increase gaming tax to 67% like other states

Tax all entertainment destinations in the Strip region based on the AVERAGE number of cars parked in their parking garages at midnight each night. Use revenue to extend monorail to airport faster and then increase monorail sales tax.

Increase sales tax to 10%

Eliminate all property taxes (to help seniors hurt by sales tax increase and to draw buyers/consumers to move here into existing vacant homes).

Increase seller transfer tax on all properties along Las Vegas Boulevard (eg, high-rise condos).

Moratorium on new construction permits so we can help real estate values and cancel 3bn dollar water pipeline project; cancel Pat Mulroys TV ads; end xerascaping reimbursement program; sell excess water to California until/unless it is REALLY needed.

Sell RFID bumper-stickers to permit cars with only one occupant to use the new HOV lanes.

Require open-liquor licensees to keep track of how many normalized alcohol drinks each of their patrons has purchased at their establishment in past 12 hours using ultraviolet hand stamps, membership/players cards and/or $99 fingerprint scanners and impose a 50% sales tax on the forth and subsequent normalized servings, whether the drink is complimentary or not. (Also will reduce insurance rates, public safety and indigent healthcare expenses.)

Develop visually stunning and world-class (but low cost) business parks around UNLV and CSN-Henderson on par with Hughes Center (sans the italian marble and excessive open space between buildings).

Herb wrote on November 30, 2007 03:58 PM: My dream is drastic cuts on everything except prisons.

It's Raining Now wrote on November 30, 2007 03:30 PM: It's nice to see that by Early 2009 we might see some relief from the "rainy day" fund. In the literal and figurative sense it is raining now! Tap it now!

Explosive growth and constant underfunding has put our State in a horrible position in Education, Mental Health, infrastructure, and the list goes on. How are we supposed to have a healthy economy and draw in businesses when we have an uneducated workforce, mentally ill crowding our emergency facilities and congested roads. Any "increases" in those areas are necessary to keep up with growth. Saying that you can just chop the increase doesn't take in account the reality that the State is serving more people and our needs are greater than before. Clark County will reach 2 Million people by the end of the biennium. If you think these problems are bad, just wait till 2009.

If Gibbons wasn't such a Big Republican spender and if he had a basic understanding of how to lead our State, I would have some hope. Too bad that isn't the case.

MJB wrote on November 30, 2007 01:01 PM: As a current state worker, I'm compelled to add my two cents here. Many comments reflect a hostility towards state government, and the impending shortfall and cutbacks are merely just desserts.

Having served in the federal system for 23 years (I'm retired military) and working in State government for the past three, I can honestly say that from what I've seen, Nevada's government is frugal to the point of being archaic. Granted in any large and growing system there will be isolated instances of waste and abuse; however, I definitely have not seen a systemic trend towards overspending. If anything, as the fastest growing state in the nation for over a decade, the state is behind the power curve in some respects.

The business model comparison so often put forward by state government detractors is invalid. Businesses exist to make a profit. Period. Government entities exist to serve the needs of a collective, civil society. It’s an apples to oranges comparison. Deciding just what those needs are and how to best achieve those goals smartly and economically is a question for serious, well reasoned debate.

However, as much as we all dislike paying taxes, there's no escaping the reality even modest inflation, compounded over the years, inevitably increases the cost of government services. Our agency handles hundreds of complaints and questions per year. And while it might be tempting to envision shrinking government down to a size it can be “drowned in a bathtub,” as some anti-tax crusaders propose, when people need government to investigate their complaints or answer their questions, they won’t feel particularly empowered when the person who would have helped them isn’t there and their phone message, letter or e-mail is at the bottom of a mountainous pile.

Jason Voorhees wrote on November 30, 2007 10:04 AM:


Yes M, the GOP (Gibbons in Congress) and Bush have made fools of everyone with their credit card spending, only it's our credit and we have to pay it back.

"M" wrote on November 30, 2007 09:51 AM: stop spending money you dont yet have.

That's like a dealer saying he's gonna make a $100.00 in tokes today. So he goes out and buys a $100.00 coat. But he only makes $80.00. Now he's 20 bucks behind.

Why don't you people wait on the money you get before ya start spending it.

How dumb can ya be!!!!

Dave L wrote on November 30, 2007 09:25 AM: 1. Tim, if you had a homebound child that depended on a State paid nurse to come into your home everday to help care for that child, would a two week break of service be okay with you?

2. Critical care issues aside, I hope State employees were asked under the Miller Administration to take a 2 week unpaid leave to avoid layoffs, they didn't, they got the layoffs.

3. Dina probably means that mental health and diability assistance in this State have been so lacking for so long, it's like the quarterback is on the 20 yard line but the offensive line is still back at the 40 yard line.

4. I heard this monring that Mtro got a grant from the State to pull people over and ticket them for not wearing a seat belt. I thought we were tightening our belts? Now we have to give State money to a local law enforcement agency to enforce their laws in their own communities? This is a STUPID waste of money that could have been much better spent on something truley important.

Col. Tom wrote on November 30, 2007 09:20 AM:

Gibbons was for unfettered spending (in Congress) before he was against it for the people of Nevada.

This guy flip-flops more than Willard Romney.

JD wrote on November 30, 2007 08:56 AM:

A standard response if you have a pre-existing agenda.

A logical response is to consider all possible options and to discuss the options with those involved. Not to dictate a set reduction in services for the people, like it or not.

Gibbons never tried to cut spending in Congress, but that was a different peosonal agenda.

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