March '10 Nevada Government—Governor Jim Gibbons Column

Governor Jim Gibbons’ Letter to Attorney General

March 25, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons sent the attached letter to the Attorney General of Nevada this afternoon.

Letter from Governor Jim Gibbons to Attorney General (pdf)

Governor Gibbons Accepts Resignation Of Department Of Conservation And Natural Resources Director

After more than 30 years of state service, Director Allen Biaggi
announces retirement

March 24, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today accepted the resignation of Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) Director Allen Biaggi. Biaggi has been Director of the Department since 1994. “Allen’s service to the citizens of Nevada is a model for all state employees,” Governor Gibbons said, “His devotion to public service is unparalleled. I consider him a consummate professional and a good friend.”

Mr. Biaggi has served under three governors. He is also Chairman of the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency Governing Board. His term on that board expires in December.

In order to make a smooth transition at DCNR, Governor Gibbons has appointed Leo Drozdoff as acting-Director upon Mr. Biaggi’s departure. Mr. Drozdoff is presently Administrator for the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, an agency within the DCNR. He has been with NDEP for 19 years. Prior to becoming NDEP’s Administrator, Mr. Drozdoff served as the Bureau Chief of Mining Regulation and Reclamation, Water Pollution Control and as Deputy Administrator for NDEP’s water programs. Drozdoff is a member of numerous boards and commissions, some of which include the Petroleum Board, the Rocky Mountain Low Level Waste Board and the Public Employee Benefit Program (PEBP) Board.

“Leo Drozdoff will be a perfect fit to make sure DCNR doesn’t miss a beat during this transition,” Governor Gibbons said.

Mr. Biaggi’s last day will be April 30, 2010.

Governor Wants Attorney General To Join Fight Against Reid/Pelosi Healthcare Plan

Governor Gibbons: “As elected officials, we must protect and secure the interests of the State”

March 24, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Pursuant to Nevada law NRS 228.170(1), Governor Jim Gibbons today directed Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto to take legal action against the federal government’s new healthcare legislation. “When President Obama signed the Reid/Pelosi Health Care bill, every Nevadan lost some freedom,” Governor Gibbons said, “This law forces all Nevadans to buy health insurance or face the wrath of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).” Gibbons added, “That kind of arrogance in Washington DC must be stopped and Nevadan’s must be allowed the freedom to choose their own health care options.” Governor Gibbons has said many times that government has no business butting in to the relationship between a patient and a doctor.

In a letter to the Attorney General, Governor Gibbons says, “There is no question that the recently passed healthcare act eviscerates the interests of Nevada.” The legislation not only forces Nevadans to buy health insurance, but also will drive up state Medicaid costs hundreds of millions of dollars, that will require Draconian cuts to other Nevada services. Governor Gibbons believes the federal government’s condescending actions against rights of citizens of Nevada and all other States in this matter are unnecessary and illegal. “The Constitution needs to be followed and the federal government needs to back off of this fanatical healthcare plan and get focused on the real problems of jobs and the economy,” Governor Gibbons said, “The best way to get someone good health insurance coverage is to get them a good job!”

Letter from Governor Gibbons to Attorney General (pdf)

Governor Blasts Titus And Berkley For Voting For Health Care “Reform”

March 22, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today blasted Nevada Congresswomen Dina Titus and Shelley Berkley, whose votes helped pass health care “reform” legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives last night.

“To call the Reid/Pelosi/Obama health care bill ‘reform’ is laughable,” Gibbons said. “The bill disguises its true cost by shoving Medicaid expansions down to the state level and shuffling Congressional Budget Office estimates into later years so it appears to save federal tax dollars. It is an insult to those who truly care about meaningful health care reform.”

The health care “reform” bill contains a mandatory expansion of the Nevada Medicaid program which will add more than 41,000 people to the program’s rolls in 2014, expanding Nevada’s Medicaid enrollment by nearly 60% by 2019. Overall, the plan will cost Nevada taxpayers more than $613 million in state General Fund dollars between 2014 and 2019. In addition to imposing this massive tax burden, the bill also removes existing state options, essentially federalizing the program.

The legislation also increases taxes on Nevada businesses and individuals directly through new taxes on existing health plans, an increase in Medicare payroll taxes, taxing Medicaid managed care plans, the elimination of the itemized medical expense deduction and more. Individuals will also be forced to fund the $1.7 billion federal Medicaid “cost share” for Nevada through their federal income taxes. Estimates from the non-partisan Congressional Budget Office forecast premiums in the individual market will rise significantly faster than they would under current law. The bill would also grant the federal government a historic level of authority over the health care industry through dangerous levels of discretion granted to the Secretary of Health and Human Services.

“This bill mortgages the future of our children and grandchildren,” Gibbons said. “With Titus, Berkley and Reid in Congress, who needs enemies? These three will bankrupt the state General Fund and put more Nevadans out of work.”

Governor Gibbons joined many Governors in vocal opposition against the bill.

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour said, “I hope this healthcare plan covers hearing aids, because it’s clear Democrats who voted for it have not heard the majority of Americans who didn’t want government-controlled healthcare crammed down their throats. States cannot sustain another massive unfunded mandate, senior citizens are threatened by enormous cuts to Medicare, and American taxpayers and businesses can’t afford huge tax increases in the midst of the worst economic slump since the Great Depression.”

“This is public policy at its worst,” Alaska Governor Sean Parnell stated, “I am very concerned with the impacts this bill will have on Alaska’s seniors, families, small businesses, and physicians. For the many Alaskans currently unable to afford insurance, this legislation will do nothing but require that they purchase health insurance. This bill will increase insurance premiums and do very little to ensure that patients have access to needed health care professionals.”

Texas Governor Rick Perry said, “Unfortunately, the health care vote had more to do with expanding socialism on American soil than it does fixing our health care finance and delivery systems. The Obama health care bill undermines patient choice, personal responsibility, medical innovation and fiscal responsibility in America. As passed by the U.S. House, the bill will cost Texas taxpayers billions more, and drive our nation much deeper into debt. Congress’s backroom deals and parliamentary maneuvers undermined the public trust and increased cynicism in our political process.”

“Americans deserve better than this liberal, partisan legislation that amounts to a government take over of health care while raising rates, raising taxes, and significantly cutting Medicare,” said Florida Governor Charlie Crist.

“This bill was passed in spite of the majority opinion of the American people. It was passed by making backroom deals with Congressional leaders that will ultimately cost the American taxpayer billions of dollars,” said Hawai‘i Governor Linda Lingle, “While politics encompasses the art of compromise, this bill secured the ‘yea’ votes behind closed doors, without regard to the long-term economic impact and the overwhelming opposition by many citizens from Hawai‘i and across the nation to many of its provisions.”

Governor To Congress: “Health Plan Is Unconstitutional”

Governor Gibbons: “The Reid/Pelosi health plan is sick.”

March 22, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today promised a lawsuit against the federal government after President Obama signs the Reid/Pelosi Health Care bill. “This bill is an effort by Democrats to ram government run health care down our throats,” Governor Gibbons said, “Regardless of the Attorney General’s political affiliation, I am confident she will join me in opposing this illegal federal intrusion into our lives and our state’s rights and sue the federal government.”

“What if the federal government forced you to buy a car or a television set then threatened you with IRS fines if you didn’t obey?” Governor Gibbons asked, “That’s what they are doing with this health care debacle, the federal government has no right to force anyone to buy health insurance and the federal government has no business butting in to the relationship between a patient and their doctor.” Gibbons added, “And don’t forget that this is the same Reid/Pelosi Health Care bill that was hammered out in the back rooms of the Senate where Senator Reid sold Nevada out and made other shady deals to buy enough votes to pass the bill.”

One of Reid’s sweetheart deals was to pay all of Nebraska’s future increased Medicaid costs—forever—in order procure the vote of a Nebraska Senator. Governor Gibbons questioned the constitutionality of forcing taxpayers in Las Vegas, Elko and Reno to pay higher federal taxes to pay for increased Medicare costs for the people of Omaha, Lincoln and North Platte, Nebraska.

“I still feel the best way to get people affordable healthcare is to get them a good job,” Governor Gibbons said, “Congress should stop wasting time and energy on socializing national healthcare and start working to get the economy back on track instead.”

Governor Supports Group Seeking Clarification From State Supreme Court

Water Law Ruling needs to be cleared up

March 18, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today expressed support of new legal proceedings seeking clarification of the Nevada Supreme Court’s recent ruling on water rights in Nevada. The Nevada Attorney General’s Office, on behalf of the State Engineer and Division of Water Resources has filed a petition with the Supreme Court of Nevada for a rehearing on the water rights issue seeking clarification of its order handed down in January 2010.

“If we can get clarification from the court, we may be able to avoid another costly special legislative session to deal with this water issue in Nevada,” Governor Gibbons said, “It is responsible and prudent for me work on behalf of the taxpayers on this issue, and perhaps get it settled without spending hundreds of thousands of dollars to bring legislators back to Carson City.”

While many have suggested a special legislative session to deal with water issues in the state, Governor Gibbons believes the first course of action should be to seek clarification from the Supreme Court.