June '10 Nevada Government—Governor Jim Gibbons Column

Governor Gibbons Approves Plan To Phase Out Nevada State Prison In Carson City

Move will improve safety, save millions of dollars

June 17, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today approved plans for a phase out of operations at Nevada State Prison (NSP) in Carson City. “It costs taxpayers an extra $4000 to $6000 per inmate for prisoners at NSP because the facility is so old and poorly designed,” Governor Gibbons said, “Additionally, NSP is not as safe for prison staff as other facilities.” Right now, more than 650 inmates are being held at NSP.

Department of Corrections (DOC) Director Howard Skolnik has already come up with plans for the phase out of NPS. Inmates at the facility will be transferred to other prisons and prison staff will be offered jobs at other DOC facilities. Ending operation of the NSP is expected to save at least $3-million.

The DOC will implement “once-a-month” furloughs starting July 1, 2010. The phased closing of NSP will provide additional resources to address safety and staffing concerns at other Nevada prisons after the furlough program begins.

The Nevada Spending and Government Efficiency (SAGE) Commission recommended closing the prison more than two years ago. The Nevada legislature, heavily influenced by labor unions, has refused to allow the prison to be closed.

“We need to stop bowing to labor unions and do what is best for the taxpayers of Nevada,” Governor Gibbons said, “Parts of the NSP are more than 100 years old. The inefficiencies are a waste of taxpayer’s money and the safety issues put staff, inmates and the Carson City community at risk.”

Portions of the prison facility, built more recently, would remain open, including buildings housing a print shop, license plate fabrication and the execution chamber.

Governor Gibbons Responds To Justice Department Effort To Dismiss Lawsuit Against Reid/Obama Nationalized Health Care Plan

June 17, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Justice filed its motion to dismiss the constitutional challenge to the federal health care act brought by Nevada and 19 other states, the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB), and persons affected by the individual mandate:

“Nothing in the Justice Department’s motion filed last night changes my view. We will prevail,” Governor Gibbons said, “Not only does the U.S. Department of Justice contradict public statements made by the President and Congressional leaders, it demonstrates in its motion to dismiss that it seems to view this lawsuit by the 20 states and NFIB as a significant challenge, signaling this lawsuit may pose more of a threat in its chances for success.”

The lawsuit challenges the individual mandate requiring every citizen and resident to purchase health insurance as an unprecedented and unconstitutional exercise of governmental power. Furthermore, the federal government is threatening Nevada’s state sovereignty with unprecedented expansion of federal powers and commandeering of state resources. “This is not acceptable and it is illegal”, Governor Gibbons said, “The Reid/Obama Nationalized Health Care plan has already cost Nevada taxpayers almost $150,000 in tax money and that is just the beginning of the cost for pre-planning.” Governor Gibbons added, “The backdoor deals and corrupt atmosphere in which the Reid/Obama Nationalized Health Care plan was drafted has created a law that will crush working families in Nevada and burden state taxpayers with $600-million in new costs, then use the Internal Revenue Service as a weapon against the constitutional freedoms of all Nevada citizens.”

The original lawsuit against the Reid/Obama Nationalized Health Care plan was filed on March 23, 2010 with 13 state plaintiffs and was amended on May 14, 2010 to add seven additional states, including Nevada, and the National Federation of Independent Business, as well as two individual plaintiffs. The lawsuit alleges that the new law infringes upon the constitutional rights of individuals by mandating all citizens and legal residents have qualifying health care coverage or pay a tax penalty. By imposing such a mandate, the law exceeds the powers of the United States under Article I of the Constitution. Additionally, the tax penalty required under the law constitutes an unlawful direct tax in violation of Article I, sections 2 and 9 of the Constitution.

The lawsuit further claims the Reid/Obama Nationalized Health Care plan infringes on the sovereignty of the states and Tenth Amendment to the Constitution by imposing onerous new operating rules that Nevada must follow, as well as requiring the state to spend billions of additional dollars without providing funds or resources to meet the state's cost of implementing the law.

Governor Makes Appointments To Nevada Commission On Economic Development

Anthony Dazzio appointed, Charles Myers re-appointed

June 15, 2010 – Carson City, NV – Governor Jim Gibbons today announced the appointment of Anthony Dazzio to the Nevada Commission on Economic Development (NCED). Dazzio is Senior Vice-President of Business Development and Governmental Affairs for the general contracting firm of Burke Construction Group in Las Vegas. Previously, Dazzio worked as executive manager of business planning and growth at NV Energy. Dazzio is also a past-president of the Southern Nevada Chapter of NAIOP, the premier organization representing commercial development in Southern Nevada.

“I believe Anthony Dazzio’s experience in business development will be a strong and productive asset for the Nevada Commission on Economic Development,” Governor Gibbons said, “He will be a terrific addition to the Commission at a time when Nevada needs to attract new jobs.”

“I am proud and pleased that Governor Gibbons has selected me for this position,” Dazzio said, “I am looking forward to working with the other Commission members to continue efforts to diversify and stimulate our economy.”

Governor Gibbons also announced the re-appointment of Charles Myers to the NCED. Myers, from Elko, Nevada, was originally appointed to the NCED in November of 2009.

The Nevada Commission on Economic Development works to develop and maintain a diverse economic base in Nevada in order to ensure a healthy economy for the Silver State.