Battle between governor, lawmakers continues with Monday meeting

The Interim Finance Committee will hold a special meeting Monday to act on two stimulus programs the governor says don't require legislative approval.

In fact, Gibbons has said none of the

$2.2 billion in stimulus money requires legislative review and approval.

The first work program is the original staffing plan for the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act state coordinator. Gibbons proposed to establish a director's position at $120,000 and an executive assistant at $56,000 a year to manage the receipt and expenditure of ARRA money in Nevada.

IFC Democrats rejected that idea, instead placing a smaller amount under the controller to oversee stimulus spending.

The second is $10.46 million in money for weatherization projects for low- or fixed-income Nevadans.

IFC Democrats held off that vote, charging the Housing Division hadn't done enough to allow Southern Nevada union programs to qualify as contractors for that money.

Gibbons' reaction was to declare that IFC approval isn't needed to move those two programs ahead. In his letter requesting that Controller Kim Wallin process the work programs, he stated that those programs qualify for emergency status because otherwise the state could lose the money.

Senate Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, offered a compromise Wednesday, saying there is a role for the ARRA director in the governor's office as well as the position to account for the use of the money under the controller.

He said he believes programs qualifying for stimulus money must be submitted to IFC.

State law says the governor can bypass IFC only to protect "life and property," Horsford said. He made it clear he doesn't believe the current situation qualifies, saying, "The law is also clear on standards for an emergency."

But Horsford indicated the two work programs will be approved Monday. Referring to the ARRA director, he said: "I don't see any reason why that position will not be approved. We expect it will."

The meeting is scheduled for a half hour beginning at 8:30 a.m. Monday and will be followed by the IFC committee to review Nevada's revenue structure - the initial meeting of the tax study subcommittee.

Contact reporter Geoff Dornan at gdornan@nevadaappeal.com or 687-8750.