Nevada Day 2007
Governor Gibbons released the following statement commemorating Nevada Day:
“Each year, Nevadans across the Silver State join together to commemorate
October 31, 1864,
the day Nevada was admitted to the Union. This annual celebration of Nevada’s
heritage provides an opportunity for each of us to look back on the past 143
years. As we do so, we are reminded of the can-do pioneer spirit that led to
the founding of our great state.
“That unique spirit continues today as Nevada
remains one of the last frontier states, where businesses continue to grow and
families can achieve the American dream.
“As a Congressman, and now, as your Governor I look
forward to the opportunity to participate in Nevada Day festivities, where our
unique history is showcased throughout the day. Following the parade on
Saturday, October 27th, the Governor’s Mansion will be open for tours
so that Nevadans and those visiting our state have an opportunity to visit one
of Carson City’s most historic buildings.
“I am honored to celebrate this Nevada Day as your
Governor and look forward to visiting with all those who join the festivities
this Saturday in Carson City.”
Calls For Secretarial Disaster Declaration
Governor Jim
Gibbons has sent a letter to U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Chuck
Conner requesting a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for all 17 Nevada
counties. Governor Gibbons made the request due to extreme drought conditions,
which reduced available forage and contributed to this year’s disastrous fire
season.
Nevada’s ranchers
have been particularly affected by this year’s wildfires, which resulted in the
loss of nearly a million acres of grazing land.
“The exceptionally dry conditions have been disastrous for our
ranchers and farmers. This year’s drought resulted in the loss of productive
land that is critical to the economies of rural communities around the state,”
said Governor Gibbons.
The Disaster Declaration for drought will provide ranchers and
farmers in all 17 counties with access to low-interest loans and other federal
assistance.
Boyd Spratling, President of the Nevada Cattlemen’s Association,
lost several acres due to wildfire damage this year. “Throughout the summer
and through the grazing season there has been an extreme lack of moisture across
the state compounded by the lack of a substantial snow pack from the previous
winter. With dry rangelands and even dryer winter feed there is increased
stress on livestock. With stress comes a loss of production and other health
issues, which have a large impact on ranching families. I support the Governor’s
efforts in requesting this declaration that will allow ranchers to receive funds
to compensate for loss of production, and/or transportation of animals to other
areas of the country where the feed supplies are more abundant.”
A copy of the letter sent to Secretary Chuck Conner by Governor
Gibbons follows:
October
16, 2007
The
Honorable Chuck Conner
Secretary
Of Agriculture
U.S.
Department of Agriculture
Washington, DC 20250
Dear
Secretary Conner:
Due
to severe
and ongoing drought conditions
in
all
seventeen of Nevada's
counties,
1am
formally
requesting
a Secretarial Disaster Declaration for Drought for the
period beginning January
1,
2007 and continuing
indefinitely.
The
entire
state
has
suffered
extensive
damage due to
drought
which
has
only
been compounded
by
widespread wildfires during
the
2007 season.
As you
begin
the
necessary
damage
assessment
process,
please
do
not hesitate
to call on
my
personal
staff
or the Nevada
Department
of
Agriculture for any assistance
or information
you
will
need in
order to move this
request
through the
process in
an
expeditious manner.
On
behalf
of
the citizens
of the State of Nevada your
prompt
response
to this request
is
greatly
appreciated.
Sincerely,
Jim Gibbons
Governor
Statement Regarding Current Fiscal Budget Projections
Governor Jim
Gibbons released the following statement regarding the state’s current revenue
projections and forecasted shortfall:
“Economic
statistics that have been released to date suggest that we could have budget
problems during this and possibly the next fiscal year.
“Last week,
The Department of Training and Rehabilitation released statistics that show
Nevada's unemployment rate has reached 5.1% -- higher than the national average
and the highest unemployment rate seen in this state in nearly four years.
“Data
gathered by the Nevada Department of Administration indicate that revenue
generated so far in sales tax for this fiscal year is down over $6.5 million
while gaming revenues are off by over $15 million.
“Additional
economic numbers will be available in November and the first week of
December and will give Nevadans a clearer picture of the state's economic
health. Note that the initial numbers mentioned above only reflect
the initial figures for this fiscal year -- and could change.
“However, as
Governor I believe that it is only prudent to ask for state agencies to
prepare for a hiring freeze and budget reductions on the assumption that these
numbers continue to decline, rather than having to address a problem that
requires far more drastic and hasty measures later.
“Let us also
remember that while I have requested a possible budget reduction of 5%, our
budget numbers reflect a nearly $1 billion increase in spending in the last
budget approved by the legislature in June.
“Additionally, we have not yet received revenue numbers for the real property
transfer tax. Given the housing challenges that we face in this state, we need
to anticipate those numbers presenting revenue problems to our state budget --
as they are to other state budgets across the country.
“No
government agency wants its budget reduced, but every agency needs to be aware
that Nevada law requires our state to have a balanced budget. We simply cannot
spend more revenue than we take in. I believe that it is the prudent thing to
do, as Governor, to at least prepare for the possibility that our revenues may
not meet the rosy expectations that were forecast earlier this year. That
preparation does not include calling for a special session for tax increases.
Just as families and businesses are tightening their belts, government needs to
do the same.
"The state
budget increased last year by almost $1 billion dollars since the 05 budget.
Asking for agencies of government to make plans to possibly reduce their
spending by 5% of that amount is not unreasonable in my opinion."
