Legislative Briefly 5/20

Governor lied about gas tax, Cashell says

RENO " Reno Mayor Bob Cashell said Tuesday Gov. Jim Gibbons lied to him and Sparks Mayor Geno Martini about a voter-approved measure to raise the gas tax in Washoe County.

"The governor lied," Cashell said. "He lied to me and Geno Martini. He said anything passed by the voters he would support and now he's going to veto" the measure, SB201," the mayor said.

Cashell acknowledged that Gibbons' comments were not specific to SB201, rather that he would generally support a voter-approved tax increase.

Gibbons said last week he would veto the bill that would authorize the Washoe County Commission to enact the voter-approved gas tax increase to raise money to finance transportation projects in the county.

Gibbons' spokesman Dan Burns said the governor doesn't consider SB201 to be a voter-approved tax increase because the ballot question itself did not contain the words "tax increase" or specify how much the tax would be raised.

Under the language, all motor vehicle fuel taxes in Washoe County would increase each year at the rate of inflation for construction materials. Local transportation officials said they would use the proceeds to bond about $250 million in critical road construction projects.

Gibbons on recovery tour of state

ELKO " Gov. Jim Gibbons is hitting the road this week for what he calls his "Nevada Road to Recovery Tour."

The first-term Republican plans to visit the opera house in Eureka today and the East Ely Railroad Museum tonight. On Thursday, he'll hit Elko Winnemucca.

Gibbons said he wants to gather input from rural Nevadans about the state's budget crisis.

He said he wants to know if people are prepared to pay higher taxes or want the Legislature to make further spending cuts. He said state lawmakers in Carson City sometimes forget the needs and wishes of the voters who sent them there.

Officers say they'll take pay cuts with governor

Four of Nevada's constitutional officers say they will join the governor in taking the same salary cuts the Legislature is ordering for state workers.

The letter sent to legislative leadership Monday afternoon was signed by Secretary of State Ross Miller, Treasurer Kate Marshall, Controller Kim Wallin and Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto.

The issue was raised in Senate Finance when it was pointed out that legislation to mandate those cuts couldn't apply to constitutional officers until after the next election. Nevada's constitution precludes raising or cutting elected officers' pay during their term of office. But lawmakers were told those officials could voluntarily take a reduction.

Majority Leader Steven Horsford, D-Las Vegas, said he would like the governor to tell lawmakers he plans to ask a voluntary reduction in his pay matching the

4.6 percent cut planned for state employees.

"Although the bill as written would preclude the salary reductions for constitutional officers from taking place before 2011, to demonstrate our solidarity with the hard working state employees in our offices and throughout the state who daily serve the people of Nevada, we are writing to inform you that we propose to voluntarily reduce our respective salaries commensurate with the starting date state employees will begin seeing salary reductions," the letter states.

Fluoride bill will go to voters

The bill that would fluoridate domestic water in Washoe County was approved by the Senate Finance committee Monday.

It won committee support after amending SB311 to provide for an advisory vote of the people in Washoe County.

The advisory vote, however, comes after the Truckee Meadows Water Authority implements the fluoridation program.

Fluoride in the water is supported by dentists who say it helps prevent cavities.

A similar bill was approved for Clark County a decade ago. That measure, too, had an advisory vote of the people.

15 districts to get green buses

Fifteen Nevada school districts will get new and environmentally friendly school buses as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has received a $1.73 million grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to pay for those bus replacements.

The money will replace 17 school buses with new diesel buses. Officials say the new models produce significantly lower diesel admissions.

The two school districts which didn't qualify for new buses are Clark County and Carson City. They already have late-model buses in their fleets equipped with the new emission control equipment.

Senate votes to restrict hiring of consultants

The Nevada Senate Tuesday passed legislation designed to stop state agencies from excessive use of consultants.

AB 463 sponsored by Assemblywoman Debbie Smith, D-Sparks, would restrict the hiring of consultants and require detailed reports when they are used by agencies.

The bill calls for an audit of state contracts with consults and implements a one year cooling off period before a state employee can be hired as a consultant.

The agency could, however, seek an exemption from that year period from the Interim Finance Committee.

"This bill is one of several we are considering this session to reform our state's financial structure, to improve government transparency and accountability, and to ensure every tax dollar is spent in the most effective and cost-efficient way," she said.

Grasslands range program offered

Nevadans are being offered a chance to participate in the Grassland Reserve Program which helps them preserve grazing and rangelands, pasture and other lands.

The purpose of the program, according to State Conservationist Bruce Peterson, is to protect rangeland health in Nevada while enabling agricultural producers to continue using the lands for grazing.

The program supports working grazing operations, enhancement of plant and animal biodiversity, and protection of grasslands under threat of conversion to cropping, urban development and other activities.

Those interested have until June 15 to file an application to Farm Service Agency county offices or conservation service field offices.

Applicants must own or have control of the eligible land for the intended contract period.

Domestic partner bill approved

The Nevada Senate gave final legislative approval Tuesday to a bill that gives domestic partners, whether gay or straight, many of the rights and benefits that Nevada offers to married couples.

On a voice vote, senators endorsed Assembly amendments to SB283, sending the measure to Gov. Jim Gibbons who has threatened to veto the plan. The only comment came from Sen. Maggie Carlton, D-Las Vegas, who said Assembly changes made after the Senate's initial vote for SB283 improved it.