Governor Calls For Yucca Meeting
 

Governor Jim Gibbons called for a meeting of Nevada’s Congressional delegation and state officials fighting the Yucca Mountain project to ensure all opponents are coordinating their efforts to combat the project most effectively.

A preliminary list of invitees will include Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto, Agency for Nuclear Projects Executive Director Bob Loux, Conservation and Natural Resources Director Allen Biaggi, Nevada Division of Environmental Protection Administrator Leo Drozdoff, State Water Engineer Tracy Taylor, Public Safety Director Jerry Hafen, Health and Human Services Director Mike Willden and Nevada’s Congressional delegation.

“Now that the Department of Energy has submitted its application for Yucca Mountain to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, it’s essential that we are all on the same page in fighting this project,” Gibbons said. “We have many talented people objecting to Yucca for a wide variety of reasons. I simply want to be sure that we coordinate our efforts to maximize our chances to defeat this misguided project once and for all.”

The DOE on June 3 filed an application for construction authorization for Yucca Mountain with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. The State of Nevada, through the Attorney General’s office, has already filed a petition to reject the application because it is unauthorized and substantially incomplete.

With the many threats Yucca poses to the health and safety of the people of Nevada, the Governor said it’s important to keep a unified front in the fight against the project.

“There are too many problems with this project to list, whether it’s the potential for groundwater contamination, the fed’s inability to safely transport high-level nuclear waste or the federal government’s profound encroachment on state’s rights,” the Governor said. “We must continue the fight against this ill-conceived project, and I look forward to sitting down with everyone to ensure we’re doing everything we possibly can to protect health and economic well-being of all Nevadans.”

The Governor hopes to convene the meeting in the coming weeks.

Governor Reappoints Two to Colorado River Commission
 

Governor Jim Gibbons announced the reappointment of Marybel Batjer and Ace Robison to the Colorado River Commission.

The Colorado River Commission acquires, manages and protects Nevada’s water and hydroelectric power resources from the Colorado River. Six other states and the federal government share the management of the Colorado River Basin. The CRC is Nevada’s representative in dealings with those other states and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation.

“Both Marybel and Ace have done tremendous work protecting Nevada’s assets on the Colorado River, and I’m glad they’ve both agreed to serve an additional term,” the Governor said. “The work of the CRC is essential to protecting the future of Nevada.”

Batjer, who is completing her first term on the commission, is vice president of public policy and communications for Harrah’s Entertainment, Inc. She formerly served as chief of staff to Governor Kenny Guinn and as Cabinet Secretary to California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. She has also worked under two White House administrations.

“Being able to serve on the Colorado River Commission gives me the ability to continue looking after the best interests of the State of Nevada, particularly those resources critical to Clark County,” Batjer said. “I appreciate the opportunity to continue serving.”

Robison, who is also being appointed to a second full term, has built a career in government affairs and is currently chairman of the consulting firm Robison/Seidler, Inc. Robison is previous chief of staff to U.S. Sen. Paul Laxalt and previously served the Principal Deputy Secretary of Energy.

“I’d like to thank Governor Gibbons for understanding my dedication to southern Nevada,” Robison said. “Serving on the CRC is a tremendous honor and responsibility that I don’t take lightly.”

Both appointments take effect July 1, 2008.

Governor Calls Budget Meeting

Governor Jim Gibbons today announced an emergency budget meeting with legislative leadership  and other elected officials to discuss the state’s ongoing budget shortfall.

The meeting, scheduled for 8 a.m. Thursday in the Governor’s office in Carson City, will include Republican and Democratic leaders from the state Senate and Assembly, the Attorney General, Treasurer and Lieutenant Governor, among others.

“I believe we are in the midst of the worst fiscal crisis in the state’s history,” the Governor said. “It’s important that all state leaders are on the same page about where we stand and together we consider our options moving forward.”

The Governor noted that in the budget crisis of fiscal year’s 1992 and 1993, revenues fell short of projections by about 5 percent a year. By contrast, General Fund revenue is expected to fall short about 6 percent in Fiscal Year 2008 and 11 percent in Fiscal Year 2009.

The state on Wednesday released gaming tax collections for May 2008, which were 3.52 percent lower than the previous year. The state is now facing an additional projected budget shortfall of $67.5 million for the current biennium. This brings the total budget shortfall for the biennium to $980.5 million.

The Governor and lawmakers have already approved various methods of filling a budget shortfall of $913 million through reductions in state spending, delaying one-shot appropriations and construction projects and tapping the state’s Rainy Day Fund.

During Thursday’s meeting, the Governor expects to discuss ideas for balancing the state’s budget, including the Lieutenant Governor’s proposal to securitize the state’s tobacco settlement money.

The Governor is required by the Nevada State Constitution to maintain a balanced budget. Media will be briefed on the discussions immediately following the meeting.