Special Session Begins: Protests over “Band Aid Approach”
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December 8, 2008
Carson City, NV – Protestors are expected to take issue today (Monday) with Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons' anti-tax "mood" as lawmakers enter a special session to slash another $300 million from the state's budget.
Bob Fulkerson, state director of the Progressive Leadership Alliance of Nevada, agrees with Gibbons that the state faces an unprecedented crisis. However, he takes issue with the governor's stand that he is "in no mood to raise taxes."
"Well, what is he in the mood for - to sit there and watch our state die? To sit there and watch businesses tank? Governor, we want to change your mood; we want you to get into a 'leadership' kind of mood. We demand that, and expect that of you."
Gibbons says a deal struck with state lawmakers will minimize the impact on state services, but the protesters say they will be out in force, to let lawmakers know they are sick and tired of what they call a "band-aid approach" to the state's budget crisis.
Sharon Kisling, a child protective services supervisor with Service Employees International Union Local 1107, ays the continued cuts threaten Nevada's children.
"I think cutting services, and cutting the Department of Family Services really will affect well-being and safety."
Assemblywoman Sheila Leslie says lawmakers plan to pull $70 million from state agency reserves to help address the situation, but she warns next year's cuts will be a lot tougher.
"The real battle is going to be as we deal with the budget gap for the next biennium, because there won't be any more savings accounts to raid. Right now, the budget gap equates to about a 34 percent state budget cut for the next biennium - which is just, in my mind, impossible."
This is the third round of budget cuts for 2008, and the fourth since the two-year budget was adopted. To date, they total more than $1 billion, and Nevada lawmakers are due back in February for what could be the biggest round of cuts yet.