Governor Releases Podcast On Stimulus Package  

Governor Jim Gibbons’ latest podcast addresses the federal stimulus package and its impact on Nevada’s budget crisis.

This podcast and others can be found at WWW.NV.GOV

Governor Creates Stimulus Package Working Group
Purpose Is To Address Technical Details Of Stimulus Bill

Governor Jim Gibbons announced the formation of a special Stimulus Package Working Group to provide coordination regarding the technical details of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), informally called the Stimulus Package.

“The stimulus dollars must be used create jobs and kick-start the economic recovery,” Gibbons said, “These economic issues are so important and so complex, and the bill itself is equally complex. I want to make sure we have the technical input we need from the agencies that will primarily be overseeing stimulus funds.”

The Stimulus Package Working Group will be made of representatives from the Governor’s Office, the State Budget Office, the Department of Training and Rehabilitation (DETR), the Department of Education, the Nevada Department of Transportation, the Nevada System of Higher Education, the Department of Business and Industry’s Housing Division, the Governor’s Energy Office, the Department of Public Safety, the Department of Health and Human Services, and Nevada’s Washington D.C. Office. Representatives from the Legislative Counsel Bureau were invited to be part of the working group, but declined (see attached response).

The Stimulus Package Working Group will be responsible for ensuring that the various elements of the ARRA will be implemented in a manner that will allow Nevada to take full advantage of Stimulus Package funds. The Group will delve into the details and finer points of the Stimulus Package to make sure Nevada follows all guidelines and meets all deadlines for these critical funds.

LCB Response (pdf)

Governor Responds To Partisan Attacks 

Governor Jim Gibbons today responded to criticism from Congresswoman Shelley Berkley (D-Nevada). In an interview, Berkley said it would be ‘foolish’ for Governor Gibbons not to accept certain portions of the federal Stimulus Package that will eventually raise taxes on Nevada businesses. “What is truly foolish is Berkley’s cavalier attitude that Nevada should bow down to the federal government and give up its own state sovereignty in a mad grab to claim every last penny of stimulus dollars,” Gibbons said, “Congresswoman Berkley’s outburst provides no positive input to the state’s decision-making process.”

The Governor’s proposed budget provides unemployment insurance for people who qualify under existing state law. However, a part of the stimulus package requires states to provide new and expanded coverage to obtain certain stimulus dollars. Once stimulus dollars expire, however, states are required to fund the expanded coverage base with state tax dollars. In order to fund expanded coverage, states will have no choice but to raise unemployment insurance taxes on Nevada businesses.

Congresswoman Dina Titus is also quoted saying she is “concerned” about the Governor’s actions. “Congresswomen Berkley and Titus need to stop being led around by lobbyists and put the interests of Nevada citizens first,” Gibbons said. A recent news story in the Las Vegas Review Journal noted that Nevada ranked 50th in Stimulus Package per capita funding, 51st in Stimulus Package per capita education funding (behind Puerto Rico), 48th in per capita transportation funding, and 47th in per capita Medicaid assistance. “Before the votes on the Stimulus Package, I made sure our entire congressional delegation knew the depths of our economic crisis in Nevada and the thanks we get from these two Representatives is last place in funding in a Stimulus Package that was supposed to help lead us out of our economic hardships.” Gibbons added, “I am very disappointed in their partisanship at a time when we should be working together to help the citizens of Nevada.”

“Had Berkley and Titus been working with the best interests of Nevada at heart, we would have raised the funding to help more Nevada citizens who have been laid off, provide more health coverage for families, and create more jobs,” Gibbons said, “As it is, these two are now griping about an unemployment program that doesn’t have federal strings attached, it has federal chains attached, I will not sell out our State’s sovereignty.”

The Governor’s Office is continuing to work with the Department of Education, Training and Rehabilitation in order to fully evaluate the impacts of accepting these unemployment insurance stimulus funds. A final decision has not yet been made.
 

Governor Jim Gibbons appointed William Gonzalez and Charles Hoskin to judgeships on the Eighth Judicial District Court Family Division in Clark County.

“I believe both Mr. Gonzalez and Mr. Hoskin will bring honor and diversity to the Family Court in Las Vegas,” Gibbons said, “Both of these individuals bring with them their own special personal and professional experiences that will enhance the fairness and effectiveness of the Court.”

Mr. Gonzalez is presently a Clark County Public Defender primarily representing juvenile clients through the criminal justice system. Mr. Gonzalez graduated from law school in 1997 and also holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration. “I am proud to have been chosen by the Governor for this position,” Gonzalez said, “I will work hard to make sure those appearing in my courtroom are treated with fairness and respect.”

Mr. Hoskin is in private practice as an attorney in Las Vegas and was admitted to the Nevada Bar Association in 1991. “I am honored and humbled by the Governor’s confidence in me and I will do my best to demonstrate that his confidence is well placed by serving the families of Clark County with distinction,” Hoskin said.

Mr. Hoskin will serve as Clark County Family Court Judge in Department E and Mr. Gonzalez will serve as Clark County Family Court Judge in Department F.

Governor Wants Legislature To Be Open And
Honest With Nevada Citizens

Legislators should start specifying their planned tax hikes

Governor Jim Gibbons called again upon legislators to provide Nevada citizens with a clear indication of whether they intend to raise taxes to resolve the budget crisis. Many legislators have referred to “enhancing revenues”, which simply means creating new taxes or raising existing taxes. “Whether it’s income taxes, sales tax hikes, property tax hikes, DMV fee hikes, or higher taxes on businesses, legislators should bring their lists out of the shadows and let the public see what they are up to.” Gibbons said, “This is the fifth week legislators have heard testimony about the economic crisis, mass layoffs, record unemployment, and businesses large and small either failing or struggling to stay afloat, all while taxpayers are footing the bill for the legislative session, which costs $125,000 per day. There is limited time in the legislative session and it is now time for ideas and action.” Gibbons went on to state that “if legislators plan to raise taxes they should talk about it now and allow adequate time for those impacted to prepare, rather than springing a massive tax hike on Nevadans in the waning days of the legislative session.”

Governor Gibbons again stated he is willing to work with legislators to come up with solutions to Nevada’s economic crisis, as long as those solutions do not raise taxes. “Higher taxes will kill jobs at a time when we are trying to keep existing jobs and create new jobs”, Gibbons said, “There are reports of a list of tax hikes circulating behind closed doors at the Legislature. Legislators should be candid and truthful with Nevada citizens and let the people see that list.” Gibbons also said that as legislators encourage raising taxes, they should think about the people and businesses that will be crippled.

“Since certain legislators apparently are listing taxes they want to raise,” Gibbons said, “I would like to present my list of some of those who will be hurt by their tax hikes:”

• Workers who have been laid off and their families
• Workers enduring pay cuts
• Workers who have had their hours cut
• Seniors on fixed incomes
• All citizens trying to provide for their families while prices on many necessities rise
• Businesses large and small that are already struggling to survive
• Young families scraping together everything they have to pay their mortgage and stay in their homes
• Businesses contemplating moving to Nevada

Governor Gibbons also noted that despite partisan criticism aimed at him by certain legislators, it would be valuable for the Governor’s Office and the Legislature to work together on plans for allocation of federal Stimulus Package funds. “These funds are extremely valuable now as Nevada’s economic crisis continues,” Gibbons said, “We have only one shot at this, we need to be sure each dollar is spent wisely with the goals of stimulating our economy and creating jobs." Gibbons added, “The citizens of Nevada deserve less partisan grandstanding by certain legislators and more constructive action.”