Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons issues four vetoes

As promised, Gov. Jim Gibbons on Thursday vetoed four bills including the voter supported increase in Washoe County's gas tax rate.

But the Assembly quickly voted to override the three measures returned to that chamber, receiving more than the two-thirds vote necessary in each case.

Those measures now go to the Senate, which must also override for the legislation to become law despite the vetoes.

The senate has not yet acted on the fourth measure Gibbons vetoed.

SB201 received a strong majority of support from county voters who want the added gas tax to pay for road repairs, traffic projects and improvements.

"Notably absent from the language of that advisory question was a clear and concise statement that the state legislation being sought would come in the form of a fuel tax increase," Gibbons said in his veto message.

He said the language also didn't say how much the fuel tax would increase.

The Assembly measures Gibbons rejected were AB122, AB480 and AB257.

AB122, which would expand the authority and responsibilities of the Office of Consumer Health Assistance was rejected because, in the governor's recommended budget, that office was eliminated.

He said the office duplicates services provided elsewhere in government and that, "while important, it is not an essential governmental service that the state of Nevada can afford to fund in these tough economic times."

He said there is no reason to expand the office's responsibilities when he recommended it be closed.

AB480, he said, contains fee increases for the State Engineer's office.

"I am not aware of any significant support by industry for any of the increased and additional fees," he said in his veto statement.

Finally, he vetoed AB257 which would prohibit people from taking an excessive number of free publications from racks on the street. The bill was designed to stop people from taking all of a certain publication because they oppose its subject matter or contents.

Gibbons said police should be focused on major crimes and public protection.

"I do not see any benefit to the public by requiring our law enforcement professionals to investigate and prosecute the type of activity described in Assembly Bill 257.

To override, both houses must get a two-thirds majority on each measure.

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