Nevada politics government election senior issues
Nevada Government – One Sad, Bad Joke Part II by The Vegas Voice Publisher Dan Roberts addresses the current climate of in-fighting and apathy over Nevada politics, government and the election, especially when it involves senior issues important to Vegas Voice readers.
Did you hear the joke between the Governor and State Legislature fighting over our depleted state budget? So help me, if this BS was between my children, I would have whacked each one on their respective bottoms and sent them to their rooms until they promise to behave.
Let’s review. Under the Nevada constitution, the legislature meets every two years for 120 days; unless the Governor calls for a special session.
Between the Legislative sessions, the Legislature established an “Interim Finance Committee” (IFC). In theory, it was established so the Legislative can review Nevada budgetary matters.
Considering a projected $3 billion shortfall, the IFC created a “Committee for the Fundamental Review of the Base Budgets of the State Agencies.” As the bureaucratic name implies, and I’m sure all concerned Nevadans hope, the Committee would take a non-partisan, objective, good long look at the State agencies and figure out how to work out a 50% shortfall in Nevada’s next budget.
Ah, but now the joke begins. Governor Jim Gibbons ordered state officials to ignore and skip the Committee hearing. As employees of the executive branch, these no-show officials answer to the Governor.
Understandably the Committee is peeved and threatens to subpoena the officials. Our Governor one-ups the Legislature by claiming that the IFC is unconstitutional.
The Legislature dares the Governor, the Governor double-dares the Legislature. Who’s going to blink first?
Now I admit it’s a great game of chicken, but what about the budget?
As the clock ticks closer and closer to financial Armageddon, our elected state officials are in grid-lock. And that’s before the political parties (and lobbyists) take their turns.
What a joke; but once again, does anybody care?
