By: Las Vegas Now Staff
Concerns are mounting that the $900 million state budget crisis could get worse. Thursday Governor Jim Gibbons was in town and he outlined how he intends to decide what to cut.
So far the conventional wisdom has been correct, it's going to get worse before it gets better. The governor said some departments will be spared from further cuts, while everyone had better get used to the same old, same old everywhere else.
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K-12, public safety, corrections and juvenile justice. Should it stay or should it go? These are the decisions haunting Governor Gibbons. $900 million is looming and more programs want more money than ever before.
In the end, Nevada will be left with old buildings instead of new construction.
“We're not eliminating them, we're deferring those capital improvement projects into the future,” said Gibbons.
That means more of the same for prisons like the one in Jean — it was supposed to be torn down. Instead, it becomes a pricey fixer-upper.
“We're going to stop that and hopefully be able revitalize it,” he said.
Gibbons says new lanes for I-15 will go forward. The contracts are already underway so drivers will see some relief. But that might be the end for years and the shortfalls may actually get worse.
“Well, let me say that that decision is very troubling,” he said.
To make things worse, Gibbons isn't pleased with a recent court ruling. It says comped casino meals aren't taxable. Bottom line is the state has to pay millions back to resorts all over the state. That's money the state doesn't have.
“Nobody said being governor would be easy,” said Gibbons.
While healthcare, early education and some public services are safe, the future of Nevada will look a lot like today: no new buildings, no new equipment, no new jobs and until the economy improves, the same old problems.
Gibbons is going to meet with lawmakers on Monday to put together the latest list of cuts. It appears higher education may also see cuts. They are not being exempted for right now.
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