NV gov candidates would buck popular opinion

(AP) - Nevada's major party gubernatorial candidates said Wednesday they would buck popular opinion and stake their political careers on what they think is right for the state, even if it results in a one-term exit from the governor's mansion.

Rory Reid, the Democratic nominee, and Brian Sandoval, the Republican front-runner, made their remarks in the first of a two-part debate televised on KRNV-TV's "Nevada Newsmakers" program. The second segment airs Thursday.

Both also said that if Congress legalizes online gambling, Nevada should position itself to take advantage of the untapped revenues and claim dominance in the Internet gambling industry.

"I've always felt that if the federal government makes that decision ... Nevada should be a leader," said Sandoval, former chairman of the Nevada Gaming Commission.

Reid agreed. The online poker industry generates billions of dollars, "and Nevada is missing out," he said. Reid said he would advocate for the federal government "to create a regulatory structure to take advantage of it."

Polls have shown Sandoval, who left a lifetime appointment to the federal bench and defeated incumbent Gov. Jim Gibbons in the June GOP primary, leading the gubernatorial race.

The debate taped Wednesday was the fourth and final matchup between the two. Early voting that began Oct. 16 ends Friday, and Election Day is Tuesday.

Most of Wednesday's half-hour exchange involved now familiar posturing over Nevada's looming budget crisis and how the candidates would balance the books when faced with a shortfall some economists project could reach $3 billion - half the existing budget - in the next two-year spending cycle that begins July 1, 2011.

Reid, chairman of the Clark County Commission and son of U.S. Sen. Harry Reid, has pummeled Sandoval - a former federal judge, state attorney general and state assemblyman - at every opportunity for not releasing a detailed budget plan before the election.

Reid reiterated his criticisms Wednesday, saying his own budget proposal would protect higher education and K-12 and fill funding gaps by downsizing state government, spurring development of renewable energy resources, and enlisting the state's universities to develop technologies that could be sold to private enterprise.

Sandoval counters that Reid's plans amount to a "stack of paper" based on "fantasy money."

"It's easy to throw stones when you haven't advocated a plan," Reid retorted at one point.

During a debate Tuesday night in Elko, Sandoval said Nevada needs to "reset" its budget process to 2007, when revenues totaled about $5.2 billion, far less than the existing $6.4 billion budget that includes temporary tax hikes set to expire in June.

He said that over the last three years, Nevada's population has declined 3 percent while spending has risen 38 percent but gave no details on how he'd bridge the gap.

Reid said Sandoval's plan itself is unrealistic and akin to the Michael J. Fox movie, "Back to the Future."

Both candidates have said they won't raise taxes while accusing the other of having secret intentions to do so.

"I've been very clear," Sandoval said. "If there's any kind of proposed tax increase by the Legislature, I will veto it."

Reid, too, said he's "been very clear" on the issue.

"We agree on taxes. But what we disagree on is the importance of having a specific plan," he said.

Reid added, "I have a budget proposal that I will advocate for and sign into law."

Veto threats over tax hikes, however, are shallow. Under Nevada law, tax increases must pass the Senate and Assembly by two-thirds majorities - the same needed to override a veto. Should lawmakers approve new taxes or fees, it's likely the same legislators would vote to override a governor's veto.