April '10 Nevada Government—Governor Jim Gibbons Column

Governor Sets Up “Constitution Defense Fund”

April 8, 2010 – Carson City, NV – After receiving numerous inquiries from citizens wishing to assist in the Governor’s fight against the Reid/Pelosi/Obama Nationalized Health Care Plan, Governor Jim Gibbons, working with Special Counsel Mark Hutchison, has set up the “Constitution Defense Fund.” Hutchison and several other attorneys are working without compensation to assist Governor Gibbons, but some legal costs shared with other states (approx. $3,500, depending on the number of states joining in the lawsuit) will likely arise. Governor Gibbons stated earlier this week that the small costs to fight the health care plan are well worth it because the health care plan will cost Nevada taxpayers billions of dollars over several years.

Governor Gibbons also reiterated his stand that the Reid/Pelosi/Obama Nationalized Health Care Plan is an insult to all Nevada citizens because it tramples the U.S. Constitution by requiring all citizens to purchase health insurance. Governor Gibbons believes certain parts of the Plan have merit and are worth keeping, but overall, the Governor is convinced the Plan is unconstitutional.

Those wishing to help with the Constitution Defense Fund should send donations to:

Constitution Defense Fund
c/o Hutchison and Steffen
Peccole Professional Park
10080 West Alta Drive, Suite 200
Las Vegas, Nevada 89145

Donations will be handled by the Governor’s Special Legal Counsel. A complete and transparent accounting of all funds donated will be provided.

Governor Announces Legal Action
Against Federal Government

“Nationalized Health Care Plan is unhealthy”

April 6, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today announced he will lead the effort on behalf of the citizens of Nevada to stop the Reid/Pelosi/Obama Nationalized Health Care Law. “This health care nationalization plan is illegal because it is unconstitutional,” Gibbons said, “The arrogance of this Administration to force all Nevadans to purchase something (health insurance from private companies) or face IRS penalties is outrageous and wrong.” Governor Gibbons believes parts of the Nationalized Health Care Plan have merit and are worth keeping, but the law, in its entirety, is wrong. “Every Nevada citizen deserves access to quality healthcare, but this plan is the wrong approach and will not work,” Governor Gibbons said. Governor Gibbons says the Plan will cost Nevada workers and families about $2.4 Billion dollars, including almost $600-Million from state taxes, and $1.8 Billion in federal taxes. Late this month, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services will ask the legislature’s Interim Finance Committee for $500,000 to start pre-planning for the impacts of the new law. The State of Nevada is already in a deep financial crisis.

Governor Gibbons has signed an Executive Order naming Mark Hutchison from the Las Vegas law firm of Hutchison & Steffen as Special Legal Counsel to the Governor to handle this legal effort. Nevada will join the legal action started by Florida and more than a dozen other states. The lawyers working on this matter on behalf of the Governor and the citizens of Nevada have agreed to work for the good of the public without compensation. “I was disappointed that the Attorney General of Nevada refused to fight for the constitutional rights of Nevada citizens,” Gibbons said, “But I refuse to surrender on this issue, we must not allow the federal government to intrude into the lives of Nevadans this way.”

There may be some small costs associated with the litigation (under $5000), but Governor Gibbons believes that the devastating impact of $600-million dollars in new state expenses for Nevada taxpayers is worth the small price of fighting the Nationalized Healthcare Law. (The Governor’s Office has also had several inquiries from people willing to donate money to help pay litigation expenses) “I swore an oath to protect the citizens of Nevada and I will not quit because the odds are against us, I intend to win this battle and get Congress to repeal Nationalized Health Care.” Gibbons added, “The best way to get someone good health insurance is to get them a good job, Congress has wasted thousands of hours and is squandering almost a trillion dollars on nationalizing healthcare, when they should be focused on creating jobs and fixing the economy.”

State Launches Redesigned Stimulus Reporting Website

April 5, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbon’s announced today that the state has redesigned its website for reporting activities related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to allow greater transparency of the stimulus program in Nevada.

“We are committed to making information about Nevada’s use of stimulus funds readily available to our residents,” the Governor said. “During these tough economic times, it’s important that our citizens know we are utilizing stimulus in the most efficient way that will help our economy and create more jobs for Nevadans.”

The website features an interactive map that displays how state agencies use Recovery Act awards by geographic regions. The map, graphs and other detailed data are directly updated by state agencies through an innovative reporting system. The system enables agencies to directly report actual project expenditures to the public.

“The state’s recovery website http://www.nv.gov/Recovery/ offers improved navigation and will allow Nevadans to be even more informed about the receipt and use of Recovery Act funding awarded to state agencies,” Harvey said. “Along with Governor Gibbons, my office is committed to ensuring that the public is regularly informed about the use of these funds.”

The purpose of this website is to list and describe all Recovery Act funding that is allocated to Nevada, particularly the award and expenditures of funds sent directly to Nevada state government.

The website is designed to answer three major questions.

Which state agencies have been awarded Recovery Act funding, and for what programs?
How are state agencies using Recovery Act funds, and what is the benefit to the citizens of Nevada?
Where are the projects located?

The Nevada Recovery Website can be found at: http://www.nv.gov/Recovery/.