Eugene T. Paslov: Sandoval's ideas have whiff of familiar failure

Both candidates debating on Oct. 7 were slow to start. The setting seemed a bit restrictive. But they soon got their second wind.

Rory Reid was quick to point out that Brian Sandoval had not released his plans to solve the budget shortfall while he, Commi-ssioner Reid, had produced position papers on the budget, economic development and education.

Sandoval countered that Reid's numbers were "fantasy" and his education plans would lead to tax increases. Both men said they would not raise taxes even in the face of state Budget Director Andrew Clinger suggesting that to address the budget shortfall without new taxes would require eliminating everything in state government except the schools. Wow. But neither paused.

Sandoval said he would cut spending, introduce school vouchers, eliminate teacher tenure, and reduce state employee salaries and benefits, all in name of reduced spending.

Unfortunately, this is what Gov. Gibbons did during his tenure, which produced nothing but misery.

Reid noted that Sandoval was just like Gibbons in a more expensive suit. I don't know about the quality of the suit, but the ideas did sound eerily familiar. Sandoval also suggested new businesses would come to Nevada because of low taxes. Historically that's been a loser. He also claimed that taxes don't create jobs. That would be a surprise to thousands of teachers, public safety workers and our dedicated corps of public service employees.

Reid emphasized that he had plans to address the budget shortfall and they were available on his website. I don't agree with all of Reid's ideas - for example, reducing state agencies by more than half and consolidating services.

Consolidation is a complicated business. In many situations it involves the federal government and in most cases results in the loss of funds rather than savings. But Reid has put his plan on the table and it is, as a friend of mine used to say, "the plan to beat."

Rory Reid also has a vision of bringing new, high tech industry to the state. Rather than cutting higher education, Reid sees it as the intellectual driver for new industries. The universities will help create and nurture new green companies. Now that's a plan Nevadans should support.

He also has a plan for reinventing K-12. It also will be very controversial and difficult to implement. But it's worth putting on the table and discussing.

Let's not go for the guy with antiquated ideas. Rory Reid has plans, a vision and the will to get things done.

• Eugene Paslov is a board member of the Davidson Academy at the University of Nevada, Reno and the former Nevada state superintendent of schools.