December '09 Nevada Government—Governor Jim Gibbons Column

Governor Gibbons Speaks With Santa Claus

On-time Departure from North Pole Reported
December 24, 2009 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons received a special phone call from Santa Claus early this morning reporting a successful sleigh load and on-time departure from the North Pole. Santa planned to swing through Okinawa, Japan to visit Anthony and Switzerland to visit Cody on his way around the world to his final destination this evening—the United States of America.

After clearing the eastern seaboard, Santa plans to visit Tegan in Hudson, Colorado and Stephanie, Kaylee and Bryce in Lake Havasu City, Arizona before making his way into southern Nevada. While in the Las Vegas area, Santa will fly over the strip to view the lights before visiting Reese, Riley, Emily, Jacob, Lexi, Josh, Jordan, Dylan, Lauren, Maxwell, Kate, Solenne, Celina, Micaela, Victoria, and all the other children who have been good during the past year. In the spirit of Holiday forgiveness, Santa might even visit Dan.

Mr. Claus will pause briefly for some hot cocoa before zipping through Elko to see Lucas and then on into the Reno and Sparks area to unload gifts at the homes of Katie, Peter, Shelby, Carlee, Adam, Zoe, Natalie, Ryan, Brooke, Grant, Rosella and Rosalia. From Reno, Santa will check in with North Pole Central and chart a southerly course to Carson City to try out the chimneys of Chloe, Peter, Noah, Steven and Zach. Onward to Minden and Gardnerville, Santa has special presents in store for Roshelle, Bianca, Mason, and Ashley. From there, Santa will head over to visit our neighbors in California with his final bag of goodies for Jason, Trent, Tanner and Dani.

Santa asked Governor Gibbons to remind all girls and boys to go to bed early tonight and get lots of sleep. Santa cautioned kids should not get up if they hear sounds of sleigh bells outside, reindeer hooves on the roof, or a “Ho Ho Ho” coming from near the Christmas tree. As usual, Santa appreciates the cookies and milk as he has lots of work tonight and needs the energy.

Governor Gibbons wishes all boys and girls a very Merry Christmas, and reminds you that you can watch Santa’s trip around the world online at www.noradsanta.org. Just don’t forget to go to bed before Santa gets to your house!

Reid Should Read Before He
Crushes Nevada Working Families

Senator Harry Reid’s payoffs to other Senators spell big tax hikes and misery for Nevadans Gibbons to ask Attorney General to examine constitutionality of health care bill
December 23, 2009 – Carson City, NV – Senator Harry Reid continues to brag about handing out billions of dollars in taxpayer financed “inducements” to muster the votes needed to pass his health care package. Senator Reid has also suggested Governor Gibbons misunderstands the bill and should read it. Governor Gibbons replied, “We have read the bill and THAT’S exactly what troubles us,” Gibbons continued, “Senator Reid is way out of line with his “payoffs” to Senators and Reid should read his own bill before he spouts off about the damage his work will do to Nevada families.” Nevada is Reid’s home state. “Senator Reid keeps saying his enticements to other senators to coerce them to support his bill are just compromise and politics as usual,” Governor Gibbons said, “but if any citizen used these tactics in day-to-day business deals, they would be led away in handcuffs and charged with bribery.”

Reid’s health care bill will cost Nevadans at least $613,000,000. That figure comes from a high-level analysis of Senator Reid’s bill made by the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Care Financing and Policy-the Administrator of Nevada’s Medicaid Program. A copy of this analysis was provided to Senator Reid’s office weeks ago. The Governor’s Office has read the bill, and it is true, according to Reid’s bill that the federal government (your federal income taxes) will pay for the increased costs in Medicaid (medical care paid with your federal and state taxes) for three years. (Except, of course, in Nebraska, where Senator Reid agreed to have the federal government pay for state the Medicaid expansion forever in exchange for one senator’s vote.) But after the first three years, all states, except Nebraska, are on their own. THAT is where, according to the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services, the $613,000,000 figure comes from (2014 through 2019, and it will be a direct cost to all Nevadans).

80% of Nevadans are satisfied with their health care. After the Governor’s Office read the bill, it is clear many businesses will find it more profitable to pay a federal penalty and end the health insurance they provide to their employees. Those working families will be forced onto Nevada Medicaid. This, alone, will make the state Medicaid enrollment bulge beyond affordable capacity. This will also cut off health insurance many Nevadans presently enjoy.

“Senator Reid is openly buying votes to pass his bill that will crush Nevada’s working families,” Governor Gibbons said, “We have read the bill and I still firmly believe Senator Reid is wishing Nevadans a Merry Christmas with a smirk on his face and a knife in our backs.”

Governor Gibbons will also ask the Nevada Attorney General to examine Reid’s Health Care Reform package to see if the bill forcing Americans to have health insurance violates the United States Constitution. Governors in several states have asked their legal advisors to do the same thing.

Governor Gibbons Podcast Talks About Working Together To Work Our Way Out Of Recession

December 22, 2009 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today released a new podcast encouraging Nevadans to work together to get through these unprecedented economic times. You can view or download for broadcast the podcast at gov.state.nv.us/Podcasts.htm:

Hi, I’m Governor Jim Gibbons. Thanks for checking in. I’m sure you all aware of the unprecedented economic times we are all facing right now.

Sure, there are signs here and there that the recession might be bottoming out. But there are still many businesses closing their doors, many jobs being lost, and many families suffering.

I am doing everything I can fix our economic problems. I know that hundreds of thousands of Nevada families sit around their dinner table at night with their checkbook in one hand and their bills in the other. Nevada families are forced to make ends meet. Nevada government must do the same thing. As your Governor, I will make state government live within its means, just like you’re doing at home.

Building our way out of this recession will NOT be easy. Few tough jobs are EVER easy. But I have never backed down from a fight or surrendered in my life and I don’t intend to start now.

Together, as ONE NEVADA, we can get through this. We have to help each other. But that’s okay, because Nevadans are well known for helping each other. If we all work together and move the same direction we can get Nevada back at the top of every economic measurement list there is…the way it was before the recession.

We need to work together to bring prosperity back to Nevada!

Again, thanks for checking in, and don’t forget, if you have any ideas or comments let me know… just send an email to YOUR-OPINION-COUNTS-AT-GOV-DOT-NV-DOT-GOV.

Thanks, and we’ll talk to you again soon.

Others Join Governor Jim Gibbons In Criticizing Senator Reid’s Tactics To Harm States

December 22, 2009 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons is not the only governor highly critical of the “bribery-like and extortion-like” actions of Senator Harry Reid as Reid makes backroom deals to rush his health care fiasco through the Senate.

Georgia Governor Sonny Perdue says, “I am utterly dismayed and disappointed by the vote buying that has occurred in the United States Senate in order to pass a measure that most citizens are against. If this reform was truly the right policy for our country, we wouldn’t see waffling Senators lining up like game show contestants hoping to win today’s jackpot of a special deal from Harry Reid.”

Meanwhile, Governor Donald L. Carcieri of Rhode Island said, “The passage of this legislation may prove to be the greatest affront to our democratic process and shows a complete lack of respect of taxpayers and for the principles this nation was built on.”

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour says “As debate entered its final hours, the Senate Democratic Leadership says it has exactly the number of votes needed to pass its dreadful healthcare reform bill. Despite opposition from a majority of Americans, most Governors and other state officials, consumer groups, business leaders, and healthcare professionals, the Senate majority seems intent on cramming this monstrosity down the American people’s throats.”

“Under no circumstances did I have anything to do with Senator Nelson’s compromise,” Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman said in a written statement. “The responsibility for this special deal lies solely on the shoulders of Senator Ben Nelson.” Heineman urged Nelson to reconsider his support for the overall health care bill and said his state expects “a fair deal, not a special deal. Governors all across America are troubled by this unfunded Medicaid mandate. If the U.S. Senate plans to address the unfunded mandates issue, all states must receive fair and equal treatment.”

According to a newspaper reporter, even Senator John McCain called Reid’s deals, “Bernie Madoff gimmicks.”

Senator Reid himself admitted he had “taken care of” enough Senators when he was quoted saying, “I don’t know if there’s a senator that doesn’t have something in this bill that was important to them.”

Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons stands by his statement that, “Senator Reid is wishing Nevadans a Merry Christmas with a smile on his face and a knife in our backs.” Reid’s health plan will cost Nevada taxpayers $613,000,000 in general fund revenue which will lead to less money for education, less money to keep criminals off the streets, and less money for programs for the disabled and senior citizens.

“Senator Reid should stop this health care train right now or he will be responsible for crushing working families in Nevada with higher taxes along with fewer local and state services,” Governor Gibbons said, “Senator Reid’s tactics border on corruption and are a far cry from the political integrity the people of Nevada expect and deserve.”

Harry Reid Gives Nevada A Christmas Present
We’ll Never Forget

Reid health care plan helps Nebraska, will bankrupt Nevada
December 21, 2009 – Carson City, NV – Just in time for Christmas, Senator Harry Reid once again plans to put his national political ambitions ahead of Nevada, this time on Christmas Eve. Under the guise of “Health Care Reform,” Senator Reid’s proposal will neither promote good health in Nevada nor reform our current health care system. “Senator Reid is wishing Nevadans a Merry Christmas with a smile on his face and a knife in our backs,” Governor Jim Gibbons said, “Reid’s Health Care Reform plan will cost Nevada taxpayers more than $613,000,000 in State taxes.” Governor Gibbons continued, “Nevadans will also pay more than $1.5 billion through increased federal income taxes. This irresponsible legislation will bankrupt the State of Nevada and leave every working Nevada family out in the cold in the New Year.”

Governor Gibbons also noted that Reid, along with his staff and supporters, are “cooking the books” to ram the health care plan down the throats of Nevadans—without bipartisan support—so that Reid may endear himself to President Obama. “Senator Reid needs to look at the damage his health care plan will do to Nevada and stop pandering to special interests and his political friends. Reid and his Democrat supporters are playing games with implementation dates and hiding harmful cuts to vulnerable senior citizens, all the while pretending the average taxpayer will not end up holding the bag.”

As many as 8 in 10 Americans are satisfied with their current health coverage, yet Senator Reid blindly sees this as a mandate for change. His health care proposal will subject Americans to unwanted changes to their health coverage and increase their taxes. Senator Reid is also ignoring the 56% of Nevadans who oppose his national Democratic health care agenda—a number which grows every day. “Senator Reid and his colleagues in Congress should have studied and fixed what’s broken in our Nation’s health care system, rather than forcing devastating cuts that will eliminate choice in our seniors’ Medicare coverage and disrupt the lives of Nevadans who are satisfied with their health care,” Gibbons said, “Reid’s plan is shameful and does nothing to increase access for Nevadans to health care. No politician should come between a patient and his or her doctor.”

As a final insult to Nevadans, Senator Reid this weekend released his final compromise bill language which provides a sizable Christmas gift to the people of Nebraska at the expense of the people of Nevada. “In order to pander to his fellow Democrats, Senator Reid has granted full funding for Nebraska’s Medicaid expansion in perpetuity while leaving his constituents in Nevada to fend for themselves,” Governor Gibbons said. “Harry Reid is mortgaging the future of Nevadans, our children, and even our grandchildren to pay for this unwanted national health care program. Maybe he should move to Nebraska where he can do less harm to Nevada.”

Governor Gibbons Clarifies, Again, His Position On A Special Session Of The Nevada Legislature In January 2010

December 17, 2009 – Carson City, NV – In order to set the record straight, Governor Gibbons is pleased to provide a direct quote from Deputy Chief of Staff Stacy Woodbury’s testimony before the Legislative Committee on Education today. This testimony was provided in writing to the Secretary of the Committee this morning and distributed to the media this afternoon: “Again, as I was listening to testimony in this Committee last Friday, I received another e-mail from the U.S. Department of Education which stated that 34 states had submitted letters of intent to apply for Phase I Race to the Top funding, and that the deadline to submit such letters of intent had passed.”

Though it is true a letter of intent is not required to apply for Phase I Race to the Top, it is also true the Governor does not intend to submit either a Phase I letter of intent or a Phase I Race to the Top application. To be perfectly clear, an application during Phase I would be proverbially putting the cart before the horse. Governor Gibbons has, is and will work with the Nevada State Board of Education, the Nevada State Department of Education and local school districts to ensure that Nevada has a thorough, accurate, and competitive application for Race to the Top by the June 1, 2010 deadline for Phase II funding.

“Senator Horsford’s enthusiasm for this topic is appreciated,” stated Governor Gibbons, “However, I have repeatedly made my position on this issue clear, including through Ms. Woodbury’s testimony this morning. Despite this, the Legislative Committee on Education voted to adopt language which waters down provisions which will require teachers to be accountable for the progress and performance of their students. I will be submitting a bill draft request which will simply repeal the existing statutory barrier to applying for Race to the Top, so that Nevada parents can be assured their children’s teachers are being evaluated based on their performance in the classroom—just like students. Further, to be absolutely clear, no special session of the Nevada Legislature will be called prior to January 19, 2010, the date on which I have asked the Nevada Economic Forum to provide me with a revised major revenue forecast.”

Governor Invites Legislators To Meet With Him

Governor wants regular meetings with
legislators to discuss budget issues

December 17, 2009 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons has announced that his office will schedule regular meetings with state legislators to discuss state budget issues. “I am concerned that legislators may become alarmed at Nevada’s unprecedented budget challenges,” Governor Gibbons said, “But now is the time to show leadership and be prudent with public funds, so I believe the more discussion we have with legislators, the more opportunities we will have for ideas and understanding.”

Governor Gibbons’ staff has calendared several “open door” meetings where legislators are welcome to come to the office and share their thoughts and ideas. “The budget issues facing the state will require us all to work together,” Governor Gibbons said, “And I will make sure all legislators have a chance to represent their constituents as we seek solutions to get Nevada working and back on track.”

The first “office hours” are from 10 a.m. to noon on Monday, December 21 and will be scheduled every two weeks through February.

Position of Governor Jim Gibbons
Race to the Top Federal Grant Program

Presentation to Legislative Committee on Education
December 17, 2009

By
Stacy M. Woodbury, MPA
Deputy Chief of Staff

Last Friday, as I was in this room listening to the presentations of speakers at the Legislative Committee on Education, I received an e-mail newsletter from the U.S. Department of Education with the following quote from Secretary of Education Duncan from a December 10, 2009 speech at the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Fall Forum:

“Today, I’m calling on state lawmakers to rethink and rewrite the hundreds of pages of state code that limit the ability of school districts to succeed in promoting student learning, especially in our lowest-performing schools. I urge you to do the tough work of addressing the grossly inequitable distribution of resources that now prevails in a number of states and districts. And, I urge you to build the capacity of districts to challenge the status quo and implement far-reaching reforms to dramatically improve education… Ultimately, when it comes to…state laws, our guiding principles should be straightforward: does a law advance student learning and do what’s right for kids?”

As in my telephone conversation with Secretary Duncan earlier that week, I was struck by his commitment to education and to doing what is right for our kids. As I communicated to Secretary Duncan last week, I bring a similar message from Governor Gibbons today. And, I know that all of us in this room share Governor Gibbons’ sentiment. A law that prohibits the use of student test scores in teacher evaluations is not only wrong for Nevada, it is not the legacy Nevadans want for their children and for our future.

Our K–12 education system is brimming with talented and dedicated teachers, teachers who have struggled through 25 years of surging enrollment to educate our children and future state leaders. Now that we have a respite in climbing enrollment, Nevada policy makers are in a unique place to address quality in our K–12 education system.

If we want to improve the quality of our K–12 education system, we need to start first with teacher accountability. Our teachers must lead their students by example, so that our children learn that being graded on your performance is the right path to educational excellence and future self-sufficiency.

Governor Gibbons respectfully disagrees with the testimony of Senator Horsford before this committee last week. Senator Horsford stated that Nevada applying for Race to the Top funds is not a big enough priority, and if application is not made in Phase I by January 19, 2010, the end result would be procrastination and a lost opportunity.

Governor Gibbons supports the concepts voiced last week by Assemblywoman April Mastroluca and Assemblyman Lynn Stewart. Namely, that Nevada needs to “put its best foot forward” when applying for Race to the Top funding, and that it would be “premature” to submit an application for the January 19, 2010 Phase I deadline.

Again, as I was listening to testimony in this Committee last Friday, I received another e-mail from the U.S. Department of Education which stated that 34 states had submitted letters of intent to apply for Phase I Race to the Top funding, and that the deadline to submit such letters of intent had passed. In the Phase I Peer Review process, all applications will be reviewed and critiqued and published by the U.S. Department of Education. As Assemblywoman Mastroluca noted last Friday, Nevada will be in a good position to review the ideas and proposals submitted by other states and to use the peer review process to craft a comprehensive and thoughtful application for Race to the Top. The reality is, of the 34 states that will apply for Phase I Race to the Top, only a handful will be awarded grants in Phase I. Like Nevada, most states are simply not ready. This means the majority of Race to the Top funds will be awarded in Phase II. As Governor Gibbons has noted, Nevada does not lose any funding or grant opportunities by being cautious and thoughtful in its application process.

Governor Gibbons is not alone in his position that Nevada is in the midst of an unprecedented economic downturn. Because of this unique situation, Governor Gibbons last week issued an Executive Order calling on the Nevada Economic Forum to convene and report to him a revised forecast of Nevada’s major revenues no later than January 19, 2010. With major state revenues continuing to decline in double digit figures, it is not rocket science to ascertain that Nevada will end the current fiscal year several hundred million dollars under its legislatively appropriated budget unless SOMETHING is done.

Governor Gibbons will wait until after the Economic Forum meets and revises the forecast of major revenues to set forth his plan for dealing with Nevada’s economic situation, and then will call one special session to deal with all of the important issues currently facing Nevada – both in the area of education and applying for Race to the Top funds, as well as in necessary adjustments to biennial agency budgets and other issues relating to the State of Nevada’s precarious fiscal situation. With the current state revenue trends, it is not prudent to bill the taxpayers of Nevada for potentially two special sessions of the Nevada Legislature, when all necessary business can be included in a single special session well in advance of the June 1, 2010 Phase II Race to the Top deadline. Again, Nevada will not miss out on any funding or any opportunity to apply for Race to the Top. The program consists of a single grant award. Nevada is not ready for Phase I. Phase II presents the best opportunity for Nevada to make a comprehensive, thoughtful, quality application for the Race to the Top Program.

I have reviewed today’s agenda and see that under agenda item IV, Senator Horsford intends to introduce a proposal to establish a Race to the Top Task Force. Although Governor Gibbons has not been provided with a copy of that proposal, the concept has merit. Governor Gibbons hopes that any such proposal would include major stakeholders, including the Governor’s office. The Governor would also like to participate by bringing appointments to the task force, to ensure the greatest number of stakeholders are involved.

Although we have not been provided with any specific language, the Governor’s office understands that the proposed statutory repeal language being considered by this Legislative Committee includes both repealing existing statutory language, but also stipulating two things: 1) that student test scores cannot be the sole criterion used in teacher evaluation; and 2) that student test scores cannot be used for the purposes of teacher discipline. Governor Gibbons strongly supports the first concept: student test scores should not and must not be the sole criterion for teacher evaluation. However, Governor Gibbons cannot support the contention that it must not be used in disciplinary action. Governor Gibbons believes this is in contravention of federal law and regulations which apply to underachieving schools and remedial actions for same. Governor Gibbons must side with Secretary of Education Duncan on this issue. We need to do what is best for Nevada schools and children. Underperforming schools must be held accountable for student performance, from the school administration to the classroom teacher.

Governor Gibbons’ position is consistent with the Nevada Association of School Boards and the Nevada Association of School Superintendents.

Governor Gibbons has, is and will work with the Nevada State Board of Education, the Nevada State Department of Education and local school districts to ensure that Nevada has a thorough, accurate, and competitive application for Race to the Top by the June 1, 2010 deadline for Phase II funding. Governor Gibbons has committed to convening a special session of the Nevada Legislature well in advance of the June 1, 2010 deadline for Phase II Race to the Top to address any necessary statutory changes which bar Nevada from participating in this grant competition.

Governor Gibbons is the responsible authority, under the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act, to apply for Race to the Top funds on behalf of the State of Nevada. Governor Gibbons intends to work with the Nevada State Board of Education, the Nevada Department of Education, and any and all other interested parties to submit a competitive, worthy application to benefit all Nevada students and our K–12 education system.