GOVERNOR JIM GIBBONS issued the following statement regarding the 74th session of the Nevada State Legislature:

"I want to thank the Legislature, Senate Majority Leader Bill Raggio and Assembly Speaker Barbara Buckley for their hard work to produce a balanced budget that includes no new or increased taxes. We have made significant progress in enacting pro-growth policies that address the needs of our growing state. However, the legislature's work remains unfinished.

"In order to address those issues that were not completed during regular session, I am calling the 2007 Legislature into special session beginning later this afternoon in order to complete the people's business. I am hopeful that all unfinished business will be conducted this evening.

"I said at the beginning of the year that education was my first priority and we have still unresolved issues to address. The parents, students and teachers of our state expect us to resolve those differences. It makes it hard to recruit new, talented teachers when we leave legislative questions and fiscal issues unresolved. I am asking the legislature to rectify those challenges today.

"Within the next 30 minutes, I will be issuing a proclamation calling the legislature back into session with a list of items that I respectfully request they consider. While I had hoped we would finish on time, I have asked the legislature to return to complete this unfinished business, which includes passing a performance pay plan that rewards good teachers based on student learning.

"I urge the legislature to consider the bills placed before them in an expedient and efficient manner."