Gibbons seeks to make union negotiations public

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons is launching an initiative petition to require union negotiations with state or local governments be done in public.

During a news conference in Carson City, the Republican governor said the effort is a response to severe budget cuts being made at all levels of government and reluctance by some labor groups to make concessions.

Gibbons says since taxpayers foot the bill, the public has the right to know what's being discussed before contracts are finalized.

Backers of Gibbons' "Open Government Initiative Petition" will need to gather 97,002 signatures by Nov. 9 to send the matter to the 2011 Legislature. It would go to voters in 2012 if lawmakers reject it or fail to act on it.